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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.

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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. According to Polk, whose soil was the blood shed upon?
  2. 2. Why might Polk have sent this message to Congress?
  3. 3. Does Polk think the land where the blood was shed belongs to the United States? How can you tell?
2.Look at the source, then answer the questions.

The Treaty That Ended the War

An information text written for this worksheet. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848. Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as the border of Texas. Mexico gave up about half of its land, including California and the lands that became Nevada and Utah and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. The United States paid Mexico $15 million. Tens of thousands of Mexican citizens lived in the lands that changed hands. The treaty promised them US citizenship and protection of their property, but many later lost their land. Some Americans, such as Abraham Lincoln, had opposed the war. Others celebrated the new land.

  1. 1. Did all Americans agree about the war? How can you tell?
  2. 2. Which river became the border of Texas?
  3. 3. When was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed?

LessonPrint · D2.His.10.3-5 · Set 24 · free to copy for classroom use

Answer key — One War, Two Accounts

Set 24. Prints on its own sheet.

  1. 1.1. Upon American soil. 2. To convince Congress that Mexico had invaded the United States first. 3. Yes, because he calls it our territory and American soil.
  2. 2.1. No, because some, such as Lincoln, opposed the war while others celebrated the new land. 2. The Rio Grande. 3. On February 2, 1848.

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