The US and Mexican War

12th Grade60 minutes

Learning Objective

I can analyze the causes and consequences of the US v Mexican War.

Key Concepts

President James K. Polk's administration achieved the annexation of Texas, which heightened tensions with Mexico.

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 established the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas and included the Mexican Cession, in which the U.S. acquired California and New Mexico.

The Wilmot Proviso, which proposed to ban slavery in newly acquired territories, failed to pass but revealed growing tensions over the expansion of slavery.

Practice Questions

This lesson includes 12 practice questions to reinforce learning.

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1. What was the main campaign promise of James K. Polk that directly led to increased tensions with Mexico?

2. What was the significance of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848?

3. What was the Wilmot Proviso, and what did it reveal about the United States at the time?

...and 9 more questions

Educational Video

The MEXICAN-AMERICAN War [APUSH Review Unit 5 Topic 3] Period 5: 1844-1877

Heimler's History

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