One War, Two Accounts
D2.His.10.3-5
Read both sources, then answer the questions. Compare what each one says.
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. What does Lincoln want to know about the spot of soil?
- 2. Does Lincoln seem sure that the spot was American soil? How can you tell?
- 3. What happened on that spot of soil, according to Lincoln?
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. What does Polk say Mexico has passed?
- 2. What do the words "reiterated menaces" suggest Mexico had been doing before?
- 3. Does Polk think the land where the blood was shed belongs to the United States? How can you tell?
LessonPrint · D2.His.10.3-5 · Set 4 · free to copy for classroom use