1) ""Care has been taken - that all our military and naval movements shall be strictly defensive. - We will not be the aggressor upon Mexico; - but if her army shall cross the [Rio Grande] del Norte and invade Texas, we will if we can drive her army to her own territory. Less than this , in good faith to Texas, I think the government could not have done. We invite Texas to unite her destinies to ours. She has accepted the invitation, upon the terms proposed . . . . and if because she has done so, she is invaded by the Mexican army, surely we are bound to give her aid in her own defense." Source: Letter from President James K. Polk to Senator William H. Haywood (August 1845).
Answer the following questions based on this document:
1. What were the instructions given by Polk?
To not be on the offensive, only to defend Texas, and themselves, if Mexico decides to cross the Rio Grande and attack or invade Texas.
2. How do you think an American Citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
A southerner would encourage it because Texas is a slave state and a northerner would be angry or discourage it.
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
I think they would have been outraged and feel in the right because America had to fight Britain for control too.
2) "At the time Mr. Slidell presented himself, the troops of the United States occupied our territory, their squadrons threatened our ports, and they prepared to occupy the peninsula of the Californias, of which the question of the Oregon with England is only a preliminary. Mr. Slidell was not received, because the dignity of the nation repelled this new insult. Meanwhile, the army of the United States encamped at Corpus Christi, and occupied the Isla del Padre; following this, they then moved to the point Santo Isabel, and their standard of the stars and stripes waved on the right bank of the Rio Bravo del Norte, opposite the city of Matamoros, blockading that river with their vessels of war. The village of Laredo was surprised by a part of their troops, and a small party of our men, reconnoitering there, were disarmed. Hostilities, then, have been commenced, by the United States of North America, beginning new conquests upon the frontier territories of the departments of Tamaulipas and New Leon, and progressing at such a rate that troops of the same United States threaten Monterey in Upper California. No one can doubt which of the two republics is responsible for this war: a war which any sense of equity and justice, and respect for the rights and laws of civilized nations, might have avoided...." Source: Proclamation of President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga (April 23, 1846)"
1. What did President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga say the United States has done?
Started the war, he said the US crossed into their territory first.
2. How do you think an American Citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
With anger because an Am citizen would probably think that the Mexicans started the war. Also insulted for the insinuation in "No one can doubt which of the two republics is responsible...".
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
I think a Mexican citizen might cheer and completely agree with the statements above.
Answer the following questions based on this document:
1. What were the instructions given by Polk?
To not be on the offensive, only to defend Texas, and themselves, if Mexico decides to cross the Rio Grande and attack or invade Texas.
2. How do you think an American Citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
A southerner would encourage it because Texas is a slave state and a northerner would be angry or discourage it.
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
I think they would have been outraged and feel in the right because America had to fight Britain for control too.
2) "At the time Mr. Slidell presented himself, the troops of the United States occupied our territory, their squadrons threatened our ports, and they prepared to occupy the peninsula of the Californias, of which the question of the Oregon with England is only a preliminary. Mr. Slidell was not received, because the dignity of the nation repelled this new insult. Meanwhile, the army of the United States encamped at Corpus Christi, and occupied the Isla del Padre; following this, they then moved to the point Santo Isabel, and their standard of the stars and stripes waved on the right bank of the Rio Bravo del Norte, opposite the city of Matamoros, blockading that river with their vessels of war. The village of Laredo was surprised by a part of their troops, and a small party of our men, reconnoitering there, were disarmed. Hostilities, then, have been commenced, by the United States of North America, beginning new conquests upon the frontier territories of the departments of Tamaulipas and New Leon, and progressing at such a rate that troops of the same United States threaten Monterey in Upper California. No one can doubt which of the two republics is responsible for this war: a war which any sense of equity and justice, and respect for the rights and laws of civilized nations, might have avoided...." Source: Proclamation of President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga (April 23, 1846)"
1. What did President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga say the United States has done?
Started the war, he said the US crossed into their territory first.
2. How do you think an American Citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
With anger because an Am citizen would probably think that the Mexicans started the war. Also insulted for the insinuation in "No one can doubt which of the two republics is responsible...".
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
I think a Mexican citizen might cheer and completely agree with the statements above.