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).
1. What were the instructions given by Polk?
Polk gave directions to defend Texas against Mexico and not "be the aggressor upon Mexico."
2. How do you think an American citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
An American citizen would believe that President Polk had done a noble deed in declaring Texas's safety against the Mexican threat.
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
A Mexican citizen, upon reading the outrageous statement, would be appalled to find out that the United States no longer recognizes Texas as the rightful land of Mexico.
1. What were the instructions given by Polk?
Polk gave directions to defend Texas against Mexico and not "be the aggressor upon Mexico."
2. How do you think an American citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
An American citizen would believe that President Polk had done a noble deed in declaring Texas's safety against the Mexican threat.
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
A Mexican citizen, upon reading the outrageous statement, would be appalled to find out that the United States no longer recognizes Texas as the rightful land of Mexico.
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?
President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga says that the United States has "occupied our territory," "threatened our ports,"and "prepared to occupy the peninsula of the Californias."
2. How do you think an American Citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
An American citizen would have felt as if the Mexicans were hopelessly misinformed and that the territory occupied by U.S. troops was the land of the United States.
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
A Mexican citizen would have felt resentment towards the United States for overstepping the boundaries of their lands and crossing into Mexican territory.
1. What did President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga say the United States has done?
President Don Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga says that the United States has "occupied our territory," "threatened our ports,"and "prepared to occupy the peninsula of the Californias."
2. How do you think an American Citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1845?
An American citizen would have felt as if the Mexicans were hopelessly misinformed and that the territory occupied by U.S. troops was the land of the United States.
3. How do you think a Mexican citizen would have reacted to reading this in 1854?
A Mexican citizen would have felt resentment towards the United States for overstepping the boundaries of their lands and crossing into Mexican territory.