Debate on the Decision for War with Mexico
Essay, Unit 5: Debate on the Decision for War with Mexico, 1846
In May 1846, the U.S. Congress, acting at the behest of President James K. Polk, declared war on Mexico. Like many more wars in American history than Americans would like to admit, the Mexican War was unpopular with many. The opponents of the war included Abraham Lincoln, who protested it, Ulysses Grant, who fought in it, and Henry David Thoreau, who went to jail in protest of it. In this assignment you will write an essay of two pages (five paragraphs), analyzing the arguments for and against the war, presented by two important voices in the debate: President Polk (for the war) and Ohio Congressman Joshua R. Giddings (against). After beginning with an introductory paragraph that summarizes the issues involved in the debate, you will fairly present the arguments for both sides, as represented by the speeches of each below, in two paragraphs for each side. Each paragraph in your essay should be 5 to 6 sentences.
Required Readings
James K. Polk, Speech urging Congress to Declare War, May 13, 1846
“My Country, Right or Wrong:” Joshua R. Giddings, Speech Attacking the Decision for War, May 13-18, 1846
Directions
In the essay answer the following questions for about Polk’s address:
Why was it necessary for the United States to declare war on Mexico?
What steps did the United States take to avoid war, according to Polk?
What Mexican factors or motives made the war unavoidable, according to Polk?
In the essay, answer the following questions for Gidding’s address:
Why was it necessary for the US to declare war on Mexico, according to Giddings?
What steps did the United States take to cause war, according to Giddings?
What American factors or motives made the war unavoidable, according to Giddings?
Answer preview to debate on the Decision for War with Mexico
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