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One War, Two Accounts is a free printable Grade 3 to Grade 5 social studies worksheet on comparing accounts of why the Mexican-American War began, aligned to C3 Framework indicator D2.His.10.3-5. It prints 2 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two students in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.

Set 22 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.

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Set 1 has all 25 in a single PDF. All 25 sets ask different questions.

One War, Two Accounts

D2.His.10.3-5

NameDate

Read both sources, then answer the questions. Compare what each one says.

1.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

President Polk Asks Congress for War

From President James K. Polk's message to Congress, May 11, 1846. The word help line was added for this worksheet. But now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil. Word help: "reiterated menaces" means repeated threats.

  1. 1. Why might Polk have sent this message to Congress?
  2. 2. What does Polk want his listeners to feel about Mexico?
  3. 3. What does Polk say Mexico has passed?
2.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

Lincoln's Spot Resolutions

From the "Spot Resolutions" that Representative Abraham Lincoln, a member of Congress, put forward on December 22, 1847. The word help line was added for this worksheet. First. Whether the particular spot of soil on which the blood of our citizens was so shed, was, or was not, within the territories of Spain, at least from the treaty of 1819 until the Mexican revolution. Word help: the "Mexican revolution" here means Mexico's fight for independence from Spain, which Mexico won in 1821.

  1. 1. What happened on that spot of soil, according to Lincoln?
  2. 2. What does Lincoln want to know about the spot of soil?
  3. 3. Why do you think Lincoln asked exactly where the blood was shed?

LessonPrint · D2.His.10.3-5 · Set 22 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — One War, Two Accounts

Set 22. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. To convince Congress that Mexico had invaded the United States first. 2. That Mexico was to blame, because it invaded our territory. 3. The boundary of the United States.
  2. 2.1. The blood of our citizens was shed there. 2. Whether it was within the territories of Spain from the treaty of 1819 until the Mexican revolution. 3. To find out whether the spot really belonged to the United States or had been Spanish and then Mexican land.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05. Aligned to D2.His.10.3-5 of the C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.