This page shows questions in the Mexican American War public release module at MSDE. 8th Grade Social Studies
"Mexican American War"
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Note: This set contains more items than what would regularly appear on an operational test. An operational EBAS would contain four 2-point items and one 4-point item.
Items that have student responses were field-tested on MCAP assessments and may or may not have been used operationally prior to public release.
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Introduction
After reading a book in which a country goes to war, a student started to think about the reasons that countries fight. The student had recently learned about the Mexican-American War, and decided to research it further. The compelling question is:
Was the goal of the Mexican-American War to expand slavery?
The student has found the following sources. Use the sources and source information to answer the questions.
Background Information
In 1846 President James K. Polk, a supporter of expansion and the idea of Manifest Destiny, sent a group of diplomats and U.S. soldiers to disputed territory north of the Rio Grande River (Rio del Norte in Spanish). The U.S. government wanted to settle the border dispute over the recently-annexed Texas, formerly a part of Mexico. The arrival of the diplomats caused a revolt. Mexican soldiers crossed the river and killed 11 U.S. soldiers. President Polk requested and received a declaration of war from Congress. After two years of war, the United States and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty gave Mexico $15 million for the land that became California and New Mexico, and established the Rio Grande as the border between Texas and Mexico.
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Source Information: This is an excerpt from a speech in Congress about a declaration of war against Mexico. Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, a strong supporter of American territorial expansion, was a leading spokesman for the doctrine of popular sovereignty which said that the white voters in each territory should decide whether to permit slavery. Cass also opposed blocking the expansion of slavery into the territory gained from Mexico. On May 12, 1846, he discussed his thoughts about the disputed land with Mexico.
Source A
I have no doubt but the boundary of Texas goes to the Rio del Norte. But I do not place the justification of our Government upon any question of title. Granting that the Mexicans have a claim to that country, as well as we, still the nature of the aggression is not changed. We were in the possession—a possession obtained without conflict; and we could not be divested [deprived] of this possession, but by our own consent [permission], or by an act of war. The ultimate claim to the country was a question for diplomatic adjustment. Till that took place, the [possessive] right was in us; and any attempt to dislodge us was a clear act of war. . . . We have but one safe course before us. Let us put forth our whole strength. Let us organize a force, which will leave no doubt as to the result. Let us enter the Mexican territory, and conquer a peace at the point of the bayonet. Let us move on till we meet reasonable proposals from the Mexican Government; and if these are not met this side of the capital, let us take possession of the city of Montezuma, and dictate our own conditions.
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Source Information: In the 1973 book Mr. Polk’s War: American Opposition and Dissent, 1846-1848, historian John H. Schroeder characterizes President James K. Polk’s opinion toward U.S.-Mexican relations. This book was published during a time when American public opinion was deeply divided over U.S. involvement in war. The book aims to disprove the myth that Americans suspend political differences during wartime.
Source B
On Mexican affairs, Polk was equally aggressive. . . . While publicly committed to peaceful diplomacy, Polk maneuvered to ensure war if necessary to gain his objectives. Hoping to coerce [force] Mexico peacefully into recognizing the Rio Grande as the Texas border and ceding [giving] New Mexico and California to the United States, the administration worked through the channels of diplomacy. But Polk’s was a militant [aggressive] policy designed not to resolve outstanding issues like the claims question, but rather to use this dispute to achieve his territorial objectives, whatever the cost. If Mexico would not peacefully acquiesce in [agree to] Polk’s demands, then war would be the alternative. And the president did not shrink from war.
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Source Information: In March 1845 the U.S. War Department ordered Ulysses S. Grant to Texas. His troops fought in the war against Mexico. In his 1885 autobiography, Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, he reflected on the causes of the Mexican-American War.
Source C
The occupation, separation and annexation were, from the inception [beginning] of the movement to its final consummation [completion], a conspiracy [secret plan] to acquire territory out of which slave states might be formed for the American Union.
Even if the annexation itself could be justified, the manner in which the subsequent [following] war was forced upon Mexico cannot. The fact is, annexationists wanted more territory than they could possibly lay any claim to. . . .
We were sent to provoke [start] a fight, but it was essential that Mexico should commence [begin] it. It was very doubtful whether Congress would declare war; but if Mexico should attack our troops, the Executive could . . . prosecute the contest with vigor [strength]. Once initiated [begun] there were but few public men who would have the courage to oppose it.
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Source Information: On May 11, 1846, President James K. Polk delivered the following message to Congress. Polk, a southern slave-owner, supported the expansion of slavery westward. Polk began his speech by stating that he had tried diplomatic measures to resolve differences with Mexico for the past 8 months. Congress voted to declare war two days later by a vote of 174 to 14.
Source D
The Mexican forces at Matamoros assumed a belligerent [hostile] attitude, and on the 12th of April General Ampudia . . . notified General Taylor to break up his camp within twenty-four hours and to retire beyond the Nueces River, and in the event of his failure to comply with these demands announced that arms, and arms alone, must decide the question. But no open act of hostility was committed until the 24th of April. On that day General Arista, [Mexican commander] . . . communicated to General Taylor that “he considered hostilities commenced [started] and should prosecute [continue with] them.” . . . The cup of forbearance [patience] had been exhausted even before the recent information from the frontier of the Del Norte. But now, after reiterated menaces [repeated threats], Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood [killed Americans] upon the American soil. She [The United States] has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Mexico started the Mexican-American War.
Explain how evidence from Source D supports the statement.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Consider the Source Information provided for Source C.
What information raises concerns about Source C’s usefulness as evidence for determining why the United States went to war with Mexico?
This is a question with 2 parts, including a test question that allows you to select spans of text directly from the passage, and, a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Part A
Select one detail from Source A that supports President Polk’s message to Congress in Source D.
I have no doubt but the boundary of Texas goes to the Rio del Norte. But I do not place the justification of our Government upon any question of title. Granting that the Mexicans have a claim to that country, as well as we, still the nature of the aggression is not changed. We were in the possession—a possession obtained without conflict; and we could not be divested [deprived] of this possession, but by our own consent [permission], or by an act of war. The ultimate claim to the country was a question for diplomatic adjustment. Till that took place, the [possessive] right was in us; and any attempt to dislodge us was a clear act of war. . . . We have but one safe course before us. Let us put forth our whole strength. Let us organize a force, which will leave no doubt as to the result. Let us enter the Mexican territory, and conquer a peace at the point of the bayonet. Let us move on till we meet reasonable proposals from the Mexican Government; and if these are not met this side of the capital, let us take possession of the city of Montezuma, and dictate our own conditions.
Part B
Briefly explain your answer with evidence from both sources.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a question with 2 parts, including a test question that allows you to select spans of text directly from the passage, and, a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Part A
Consider the Source Information provided for Source D.
Select one detail that identifies the author’s perspective on slavery.
On May 11, 1846, President James K. Polk delivered the following message to Congress. Polk, a southern slave-owner supported the expansion of slavery westward. Polk began his speech by stating that he had tried diplomatic measures to resolve differences with Mexico for the past 8 months. Congress voted to declare war two days later by a vote of 174 to 14.
Part B
How might the detail you selected in Part A impact the information provided by the source?
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Ulysses S. Grant did not approve of the war with Mexico.
Explain how evidence from Source C supports the statement.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Consider the Source Information provided for Source B.
What information raises concerns about Source B’s usefulness as evidence for learning about American opinions about war?
This is a question with 2 parts, including a question with drop-down menus from which you must select an option to fill in the blank, and, a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Part A
Do Source B and Source D provide similar or different reasons for who was to blame for the start of the Mexican-American War?
Part B
Briefly explain your answer with evidence from both sources.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a question with 2 parts, including a test question that allows you to select spans of text directly from the passage, and, a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
Part A
Consider the Source Information provided for Source A.
Select one detail from the Source Information that identifies Senator Cass’s perspective on the war with Mexico.
This is an excerpt from a speech in Congress about a declaration of war against Mexico. Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan, a strong supporter of American territorial expansion, was a leading spokesman for the doctrine of popular sovereignty which said that the white voters in each territory should decide whether to permit slavery. Cass also opposed blocking the expansion of slavery into the territory gained from Mexico. On May 12, 1846, he discussed his thoughts about the disputed land with Mexico.
Part B
Explain how the detail you selected in Part A might impact the information provided by the source.
Enter your answer in the space provided.
This is a test question that allows you to enter extended text in your response.
The information provided in Sources A through D is credible. Use these sources to respond to the compelling question.
Was the goal of the Mexican‑American War to expand slavery?
Develop a claim that responds to the compelling question.
- Explain how one source supports your claim.
- Explain how one source does not support your claim.
- Use details and examples from the selected sources to support your response.
Enter your answer in the space provided.