Smithsonian's History Explorer Resources Related To "First Person Account: Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid"

Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:02:27 GMT

This lesson plan outlines topics for short research projects and classroom performances related to the Mexican War. Have students select individuals connected to the Mexican War, perform research, and then interview each other to showcase the disparate views on the motivations behind the War and perspectives on its outcomes. This lesson plan (which includes background information) was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

The Mexican War

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 14:35:51 GMT

America went to war to gain territory from Mexico and expand the nation's boundary from Texas to California. Students will learn about the Mexican War by first examining its causes, Texas's struggle for independence and the controversial concept of Manifest Destiny in this section of The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, an online exhibition. They will then learn about the war's major events and battles, and the results of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, in which the United States annexed all of the territory that would become the states of the Southwest. A non-flash version of this site is available: The Mexican War.

First Person Account: Jose Maria y Mendivil

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 15:32:49 GMT

Jose Maria Tornel y Mendivil, Mexico's secretary of war, warns that Mexico's loss of Texas may lead to other territorial losses to the United States.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

First Person Account: George Ballentine

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:01:05 GMT

George Ballentine, a British volunteer in the United States Army during the Mexican War, tells of fighting at Cerro Gordo.

This video is part of the Price of Freedom learning resources package for use with the Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War lesson plan. It was produced to accompany the exhibition The Price of Freedom: Americans at War, by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.