Annexation Anxiety

1
Annexation Anxiety
2
Taking the role of historical figures from the
time period, students will debate five questions
concerning annexation of Texas and possible war
with Mexico.
3
OSullivan Lincoln Polk Tyler Calhoun Webster Buch
anan Scott Taylor
Possible Characters
4

• Five Questions to Debate
• Is annexation and possible war necessary in order
  to achieve our Manifest Destiny?

5
2. Do the resources or raw materials in the West
justify annexation and possible war?
6
3. Do England and France or the threat of foreign
interference justify annexation? What about the
Monroe Doctrine?
7
4. Does Mexicos refusal to accept the Rio Grande
or Treaties of Velasco justify possible war?
8
5. Is it moral to risk starting a war over
expansion?
Democratic Review in 1845 "Texas has been
absorbed into the Union in the inevitable
fulfillment of the general law which is rolling
our population westward.... It was disintegrated
from Mexico in the natural course of events, by a
process perfectly legitimate on its own part,
blameless on ours
9
Activities

• Students research the time period and historical
  figures.
• These can be assigned for the debate. For
  differentiation in a classroom, GT students can
  choose to do in-depth research on one of the main
  characters.

10
2. Students must find a quote made by a
historical figure relating to the Annexation of
Texas or the resulting Mexican War.
11
3. Students must prepare a poster, political
cartoon or any visual which takes a position of
either pro-annexation or anti-annexation.
Ward Hunt New York Opposed Annexation of Texas
12

• 4. Before the debate
• Divide the classroom into two sides. (For and
  Against)
• Groups will review each question in terms of
  their position.
• Each group will assign speakers who will speak to
  each question.

13

• 5. After the Debate
• Students de-brief by answering each question
  for themselves.
• Students then vote on whether or not to annex
  Texas and risk possible war.
• Class discussion applying Dr. Olsens four
  themes.

14
Follow-up Questions 1. Is there evidence that
the annexation of Texas led to the U.S. Mexican
War?
15
2. Is there evidence that the Mexican War led to
the to the Civil War?