Homeroom print this out and makes sure Claire does not lost it!

Notes on John Brown

I. The Many Sides of John Brown

B. Philanthropist

1. have gave land to fugitive slaves

2. helped raise an African-American orphan

3. established a society to help runaway slaves and also financially assist those that were aiding them.

4. moved to North Elba New York, to help established a farming community for runaway slaves.

C. Fanatic

1. followed five of his sons to the Kansas Territory

2. During "Bleeding Kansas", Brown and his followers would take part in various raids and learned guerilla tactics.

3. Brown would be responsible for the deaths of five pro-slavery men in Kansas

D. Rebel or Domestic Terrorist?

1. Brown developed a plan to start an uprising of slaves in the South. Step 1: seize the arsenal in Harpers Ferry Virginia. Step 2: arm the slaves in the nearby area. Step 3: Move around the South and create chaos.

2. After two years of planning, training, and asking for money...he had only 22 men.

3. After seizing the arsenal in Harper's Ferry on October 16, 1859, he sent out some of his men to the surrounding countryside to recruit slaves, but nobody came...

4. well people did come, angry white people who wanted their arsenal back and contacted the U.S. government that rebels had seized military supplies.

5. U.S. Marines led by Col. Robert E. Lee attacked Brown's forces killing two of his men and capturing the rest.

E. Define Martyr:_______________________________

1. John Brown was executed on December 2, 1859.

2. Many people in the North mourned his death, and some government buildings were draped in black.

3. Louisa May Alcott called him "Saint John the Just"

4. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau praised Brown in editorials

F. Traitor

1. "thinking slavery is wrong...that cannot excuse violence, bloodshed, and treason."

~ Abraham Lincoln

2. Southern Democrats claimed that Brown's actions were a clear sign of a Northern conspiracy to bring an end to slavery.

3. Many 20th Century scholars would portray Brown as a fanatic and a killer.

Quiz on Tuesday on The Road to the Civil War.

Good luck on MCAS tomorrow

Bleeding Kansas

Following the election of the Pro-slavery government, Kansas was in a state of virtual civil war. Lecompton became the home of the elected government, while a group of anti-slavery officials set up their own government in Lawrence, a town established by the New England Emigrant Society, 8 miles from Lecompton. The government of Lecompton had passed a series of laws making it illegal to speak out against slavery and viewed the people of Lawrence as traitors.

On May 21, 1856, a group of 750 men traveled from Lecompton to Lawrence hoping to arrest the "free soliers" who wanted Kansas to be a free state. The men preceded to destroy the Liberty Hotel which was the headquarters of the Free Soilers. The town was completely destroyed but the Free Soilers were able to escape before the attack began.

Throughout the following months guerilla tactics would be committed by both groups. John Brown, a New Englander who arrived in Kansas hoping to have it become a free state, led a group of seven men who murdered five people who were pro-slavery. Brown felt that slavery was an evil institution that needed to be eliminated from the United States. Brown and his men would be engaged in various other armed conflicts, at one point they captured 22 pro-slavery soldiers following a battle.

Back East, the media published various accounts of the fighting in Kansas. The headline of the New York Tribune referred to the events as "Bleeding Kansas." President Pierce did little to restore order in Kansas feeling as it was the responsibility of the Territorial Governor to bring stability to Kansas.

On July 31, 1856, Franklin Pierce appointed John W. Geary to be the new Territorial Governor of Kansas. Geary quickly set out to restore order to Kansas, promising his only allegiances were for Kansas and the United States, not the North or the South. The new governor disbanded the militia of Kansas which was responsible for much of the fighting, and brokered a peace between the anti-slavery and pro-slavery forces. Geary would be able to bring Kansas under control.

By the time the fighting had ceased, there would be 56 people killed and perhaps 200 people wounded from the violence. To some Americans the violence in Kansas was living proof that the country was being split from the issue of slavery and headed down a road of violence. The ineffective president, President Pierce helped create a violent situation by not intervening.

H.W.

Read pages 566-568

On page 571 answer Question 1

Third Period's Commonwealth of Massachusetts Quiz

1. The Sons of Liberty used what Boston Tavern as a secret meeting place prior to the American Revolution?

A. The Purple Shamrock B. The Green Dragon

C. The Bell in Hand D. Dunn and Gherin's

2. Which of the following islands is not part of Massachusetts?

A. Block Island B. Noodle Island

C. Martha's Vineyard D. Nantucket

3. Who is the mayor of Boston?

4. Who is the governor of Massachusetts?

5. Outside Fanuiel Hall are two statues of the same person. He was a former mayor of Boston, U.S. Congressman, and Governor of Massachusetts. Who is it?

6. Which of the following Kennedys did not represent Massachusetts in Congress?

A. John F. Kennedy B. Edward M. Kennedy

C. Robert F. Kennedy

7. Which of the following is referred to as the "Irish Riveria"

A. Beverly B. Cape Cod

C. Situate D. Needham

8. How many U.S. Presidents are from Massachusetts?

9. Who was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1600s and now has a statue outside the statehouse in Boston?

10. In 1930, how many professional baseball teams played in Boston? What were they?

11. What states border Massachusetts?

12. What shoe company currently has factories in Lawrence Massachusetts?

13. What is the tallest mountain in Massachusetts? What town is it in?

14. Which of the following authors is not originally from Massachusetts?

A. Emily Dickinson B. Ralph Waldo Emerson

C. Nathaniel Hawthorne D. Herman Melville

15. Massachusetts has how many members in the House of Representatives?

16. What county is Boston in?

17. What county is Wellesley in?

18. Which of the following is not buried in Boston?

A. Mother Goose B. Benjamin Franklin's parents

C. Sam Adams D. Tip O'Neill

19. What is Evacuation Day?

20. Which of the following universities in not in Massachusetts?

A. Harvard B. Smith

C. UNH D. Bridgewater State

21. What is another name for I93?

22. What is the special connection that Waltham has with the Industrial Revolution?

23. Who was Robert Gould Shaw?

24. What political party did Henry Cabot Lodge belong to?

25. What was the first public beach in the United States?

26. Bostonians eat more ______________ per capita than any other city in the U.S.

27. What is Patriot's Day?

28. What was the nickname of the 1967 Red Sox Team?

29. "Love that Dirty Water" is referencing what?

30. Traffic on the ___________, weather on the _____________.

31. What city claims to be America's oldest fishing seaport?

A. New Bedford B. Dennis

C. Gloucester D. Falmouth

32. What town in Massachusetts is nationally recognized for its clams?

33. What is Santarpios?

34. Who was Maurice Tobin?

Trouble in Kansas

Beginning in the late 1840s, there was talk of creating a railroad that would run from the East coast to the West coast. This would make it possible to ship people and goods to California faster and less expensive. There were two routes that were being considered, one had the railroad starting in Chicago then heading West to California, the other route began at New Orleans and would travel through Texas before heading south through New Mexico and Arizona. The railroad would bring millions of dollars to what ever city became the home to it and would guarantee business for local factories and new jobs for residents. Business leaders and politicians of Chicago saw the transcontinental railroad to fuel the continuing growth of their city. Senator Stephen Douglas faced the daunting task of convincing Southern Congressmen to approve of Chicago's request to be the starting point of the railroad. Southern Senators agreed to abandon the proposition of a southern route for the railroad if the remaining territory from the Louisiana Purchase would be open to slavery.

In February 1854, Senator Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois proposed a Bill to Congress that would divide the remaining land of the Louisiana Purchase into two territories: Kansas and Nebraska. The Bill also mentioned that the citizens of those territories would get to decide if they were to become slave states or free states. Douglas was hoping that if the Bill was passed then the railroad would go through Chicago.

Douglas was one of the leading Democrats in the Senate. He used his influence in Washington to get the Bill to pass the House and the Senate with ease. Many people in the North were outraged over the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The Kansas and Nebraska Territories were both north of the 36 30 line from the Missouri Compromise. This land had been declared off limits to slave owners in 1820, now the National Government was over turning the Missouri Compromise.

Across the nation Pro-Slavery and Anti-Slavery groups attempted to get the settlers into Kansas. Since the residents of Kansas were going to decide if the territory would be a slave state or a free state, thousands of emigrants traveled to Kansas. The New England Emigrant Society sent "Free Soilers" to Kansas hoping that the land would become slave free. "Border Ruffians" from the South traveled to Kansas to ensure that Kansas would become a slave state. Both groups were passionate about their beliefs prepared to fight for their cause.

In March of 1855, there was elections held to form the legislative branch of the Territory of Kansas. In Missouri (slave state) groups were formed that took thousands of men from Missouri into Kansas to vote for pro-slavery members of the government. Since there was no clear way of deciding if the people voting were actual residents of Kansas, the people from Missouri were able to decide the fate of Kansas. Voter fraud was rampant in Kansas for that election, with both pro-slavery and anti-slavery residents and non-residents voting more than once.

A Pro-Slavery government was elected and those that opposed slavery established their own government in Lawrence Kansas.

H.W.

Read pages 556-560.

On p. 560: Complete the Identification and answer questions 1,2, and 3

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Hope you all have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

for Homework: Read and Markup the handout on Daniel Webster then answer the seven questions that go with the reading.

Saliente

The Missouri Compromise

Step with care and great tact, and remember that life is a great balancing act"

~ Dr. Seuss

As the nation expanded after the War of 1812, a very delicate balancing act was taking place. The number of slave holding states in the South wad equal to the number of free states in the North. The Northern states had a larger population and therefore had more members in the House of Representatives but in the Senate there was the same number of Senators from the North and the South. With this balance in place it met that no law could be passed that would ban slavery. An unsteady truce would remain in Washington until 1820.

By 1820, there were 11 slave holding states and 11 free states in the Union. There would be 22 Senators representing the South and 22 Senators representing the North. The Missouri Territory had required enough residents to be eligible for statehood. Since there were already over 2,000 slaves living in Missouri, it seemed logical that it would be admitted as a slave holding state. Senators from the North did not like this idea. If Missouri was admitted as a slave state that meant that the South would now have the advantage in the Senate and be able to dictate the issue of slavery.

As the debate wore on in the Senate, one Senator proposed a Compromise. Senator Henry Clay from Kentucky came up with a solution to solve the issue of Missouri's statehood that would satisfy both the North and the South. He proposed that Missouri be admitted as a slave state but that Maine be admitted into the Union as well but as a free state. This would return the balance of power so that neither the North nor the South had control over the Senate. The second part of the Compromise would be to draw a line at the 36, 30 latitude line (the southern border of Missouri). Any territory from the Louisiana Purchase that was north of that line would be designated as free territory. No resident of that land would be permitted to own slaves. Land from the Louisiana Purchase that was South of that line would be designated as "slave-holding" territory.

Which side do you think got the better part of that deal?

Many Senators from the South were eager to see if the line from the Missouri Compromise would be extended to the Pacific Ocean. Prior to the Mexican-American War, many Congressmen and Senators were eager to go to war with Mexico to obtain lands west of Texas.

The Missouri Compromise was far from perfect and did not resolve the issue of slavery, but only prolonging the issue for another time. Henry's Clay's attempt at preserving the Union would last for 30 years before it was declared un-constitutional. Many settlers felt as though the Federal Government did not have the right to decide if lands were open to slavery or not.

The balancing act would continue for a three more decades. When Arkansas was eligible for statehood in 1836, it could only be admitted into the Union after Congress declared that Michigan would become a state in 1837. When Congress allowed Florida to become a state in 1845, the law also said that free state Iowa would be allowed to enter the Union.

It would be when California was ready for statehood that the balancing act would come to an end.

More Practice Questions...

1. What were two ways that Congress made it almost impossible to debate going to war with Mexico?

2. What political party did Abraham Lincoln belong to in 1846? What was his opinion on the Mexican-American War?

3. State two examples of how the Texans did not follow the stipulations that the Mexican government gave them.

4. ____________ was the commander in chief of the Texan armed forces.

5. Which "jumping off" city did the Donner's leave from for their journey to California?

A. Fort Laramie B. Fort Kearny

D. Independence D. Sacramento

6. Which group had the highest causality rate of the Donner Party?

A. Men B. Women C. Children

7. Which family suffered the highest causality rate?

A. Breen Family B. Hasting Family

C. Donner Family D. Reed Family

Manifest Review and Checklist

Here are some practice questions in getting ready for Tuesday's exam.

1. Who created the phrase, "Manifest Destiny"? What does it mean?

2. Who was Lansford Hastings? What were two problems with his shortcut?

3. Which of the following was against the Mexican-American War?

A. Zachary Taylor B. Brigham Young

C. Walt Whitman D. James Russell Lowell

4. Who was the author of Civil Disobedience? What was the thesis of that essay?

5. State two reasons why a Congressmen would be against the annexation of Texas.

6. Why would a Southern Congressman be for the Mexican-American War?

7. What were two problems that emigrants going to Oregon faced on their journey?

8. What nation did James K. Polk sign a treaty with that set the boundary between Oregon and Canada?

9. What missionary died in Oregon after several conflicts with the local Native American tribes?

10. What future U.S. Presidents fought during the Mexican-American War?

11. What led to the rise of the fur trade in the Pacific Northwest?

12. What was economic reason that would motivate an American to move out West?

13. Explain how the United States obtained the following territories:

Florida

Louisiana

Texas

California

Oregon

14. Who was Stephen F. Austin?

15. Give two motivating factors to join the U.S. army during the Mexican-American War?

16. Who was John C. Fremont?

Checklist for Monday

1. Quiz is completed

2. Donner Party blog entry is printed out

3. Mexican America War blog entry is printed out and in your binder

4. Oregon Trail Reading has been marked up.

5. p. 515 questions are in your binder

6. Eat a good breakfast

St. Patrick's Battalion

During the Mexican-American War roughly 9,000 American soldiers deserted the army. Many had only signed up for the promise of free land and an advanced 3 months pay. Some felt that the war was unjust and wanted no part of it. The government of the United States imposed harsh punishments for those that left the army before their enlistments expired, and officers were very strict on those that were caught leaving.

The conditions in the military during the War were rough. Thousands of soldiers died from drinking contaminated water. Cholera and malaria spread very quickly through military camps. Commanding officers were often well educated men from West Point and the Virginia Military Institute who had difficulties disciplining their men. At times Mexican homes and villages were looted by drunken American soldiers while innocent civilians were murdered and women raped.

Irish and German soldiers found military life very challenging. The immigrants were often persecuted by officers as well as other enlisted men. Catholics were forbidden to worship while they were serving. Some immigrants began to feel that the war was only being fought to expand slavery and make the plantation owners of the South richer.

The Irish saw the similarities between the treatment of the American treatment of the Mexican and how the British treated the Irish in Ireland. The British were a Protestant nation like the United States, that took Catholic property and destroyed Catholic Churches in Ireland. Some Irish and German soldiers felt that they should come to the assistance of Catholic Mexico.

The Mexican government had been actively seeking support from American deserters. Mexican soldiers were often militia who were drafted into serving the government. These men were mostly farmers, not professional soldiers. The Mexican government also made promises of land and money for those who fought. Mexican priests had published pamphlets encouraging Catholics to come to Mexico's assistance against the Protestant U.S.

John Riley, an Irish immigrant from Galway had encouraged his fellow Irishmen to abandon the U.S. and fight for Mexico. Riley's soldiers became known as the Saint Patrick's Battalion or San Patricos. The Battalion was considered to be one of the best for the Mexican army, earning a large amount of medals for various battles. Santa Anna himself was to have said that he could have won the war if he only had 100 more Irish soldiers.

The Battalion was captured following the battle of Churubusco, outside Mexico City. 48 men that were captured were found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. General Taylor ordered that the execution take place on September 12th at dawn, just as the American flag was being raised above the city of Churubusco. Taylor wanted the sight of the American flag to be the last image the traitors would see, brining that image to hell with them. Typically, soldiers who were found guilty of treason were executed by firing squad, a more honorable death then hanging. Hanging was only reserved for spies, the worst type of punishment for the lowest class of soldier. The deserters were branded with the letter "D" on their cheek. A punishment that they were to carry for the rest of their lives.

The U.S. military did not formally acknowledge the Saint Patrick's Battalion until 1916. The actions of the Irish and German immigrants was considered a black mark in the history of the U.S. army. The members of the battalion that were not executed disappeared from history. Appearing only in records regarding the purchase of land. In Mexico and Ireland they are considered martyrs, dying for a cause. On September 12th, in Galway, the flag of Mexico is flown above city hall in honor of those that gave their lives for Mexico. In Mexico City the day is remembered with bagpipes and the laying of a wreath on a memorial dedicated to the Irish martyrs.

The American West is filled with thousands of stories of people attempting to find a better life and new opportunities. These people were chasing after the elusive "American Dream", but chasing that dream was often dangerous and filled with hardships.

One of the most famous and tragic stories to come out of the American West is the tale of the Donner Party. After traveling over 2,3000 miles, a group of emigrants became stranded in the Sierra Mountains less then 150 miles from their destination. This story has captured the American imagination, and served as a warning for future travelers.

The story of the Donner Party begins in Springfield Illinois, where three families set out in April 1846 to begin a new life in California. The families of George Donner, his brother Jacob, and James F. Reed all traveled to Independence Missouri. There they stocked up on supplies and joined a larger wagon train heading to California.

The families from Illinois stayed with the large wagon train for two months. They stayed close to schedule crossing through the Great Plains. The route to California was well known and well traveled. Wagons wheels had created ruts in the ground, some several feet deep. Along the trail were assortments of belongings that were left behind by the emigrants. Men and women walked alongside their wagons, while children and the elderly stayed inside. On a good day a wagon could travel between eight and ten miles a day.

George Donner carried with him "An Emigrants Guide to Oregon and California" by Lansford Hastings. In this guidebook, Hastings described a shortcut to California by going south of the Great Salt Lake and through a desert to get to California. Hastings had never attempted the route himself until after several groups had set out to try his theory.

The Donners and several other families decided to split from the larger wagon train and attempt to use the "Hastings Cutoff". The group elected George Donner captain of the wagon train and became known as the Donner Party. The "short cut" would add an extra 125 miles, adding an extra three weeks to their journey The desert that Hastings said could be crossed in two days, was 80 miles and wide and took the Donner Party 5 days to cross. By the time they crossed the desert, one member of the Party had died and all were suffering from dehydration and some were near death.

Following the Humboldt River proved to be a challenge as well. Several wagons broke down and dozens of oxen, cattle, and mules died or ran away. By the time the wagons had gotten to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, they were all weakened from the journey. It was decided to rest for five days allowing the animals to regain some strength, in the valley before embarking on the final dangerous push up the mountains.

On the fourth day it began to snow on the summit of the mountains. The emigrants attempted to scale the summit but over five feet had fallen already and the wagons could not make it up. It was decided to return to the valley and make a winter camp. It was October 28th, the snow would not melt until mid-May.

By mid-December, supplies were running low, and 15 volunteers (10 men and 5 women) attempted to cross the mountains and find help in California. They called themselves "The Forelorn Hope". As members of this group began to die of starvation the surviving members resorted to eating their fallen volunteers. 2 men and all of the women would survive the ordeal and arrived in present day Sacramento on January 18, 1847.

The First Relief Team set out from California and found that 14 emigrants had died and that the survivors had been living off of boiled leather, tree bark, and pine needles. 21 survivors set out from the camp on February 22nd.

Three more relief teams came to the aid of the Donner Party victims. Each time a new team arrived they found the camp in further disarray. As the weeks dragged on between rescues, more and more people died and their remains were then eaten by the surviving emigrants.

By the time the Fourth Relief reached the camp on April 14th, there was only one surviving member of the Donner Party to be found. He was found alone in a cabin with several partially eaten bodies around him.

Of the original 87 members of the Donner Party: 39 died and 48 survived.

Stories of the Donner Party traveled across the United States. For a time travel to California slowed down to a trickle, many people back East afraid of meeting a fate like those of the Donners. It was the discovery of gold in California that would bring back the large groups of emigrants to the West. ntil the discovery of gold that California would begin to have large amounts of people emigrating there.

H.W. Assignment for Tonight

In the textbook please read pages 501-505.

on page 505 answer questions 1-3.

If you did not finish reading and marking up the handout on the Oregon Trail that needs to be completed as well.

St. Baldricks's Day

When I was teaching at St. Anthony's High School three years ago, a co-worker of mine asked if I would be interested in shaving my head for charity that helps the families and survivors of different types of childhood cancers. In the past, I have walked, run, and rode for charity but never considered a haircut. He introduced me to St. Baldrick's and I had the opportunity to talk to some of the kid's who were being treated for cancer in a local New York hospital. I have been taking part in this amazing charity ever since.

The significance of the head shaving is to show solidarity for those children who are undergoing chemotherapy.

If you are interested in learning what St. Baldrick's is and how they help with cancer research just click here.

If you would like to donate, here is a link to my page.

Thank you very much

Mr. Mullady

This is what you need to print...even you Ghiho

The Mexican-American War helped shaped a generation of future American leaders.

Zachary Taylor: nicknamed "Old Rough and Ready". He was the victorious general at the Battle of Monterrey that had American forces engaged in three days of urban warfare. He became a national hero after the battle of Buena Vista where 6,000 American troops were able to defeat Santa Anna's forces of 20,000. Taylor would later be elected President of the United States.

General Winfield Scott: nicknamed "Old Fuss and Feathers". Scott was a career military man, involved in every military campaign from the War of 1812 to the Civil War. Scott led the attack on the Mexican city of Veracruz and eventually marched across Mexico and captured the capital, ending the war.

John C. Fremont: helped capture California and declared it "The Bear State Republic." Fremont would later on enter American politics and become the first Republican candidate in the election of 1856.

Stephen Kearney: captured New Mexico and declared it apart of the United States. Kearney would go on to help capture the city of San Diego and would later serve as the military governor of California.

Franklin Pierce: served under General Winfield Scott and later rose to the rank of Brigader General. Pierce would later be elected the 14th President.

Robert E. Lee: was a Colonel under Winfield Scott and one of his top aides. Lee would earn distinction for his bravery in combat and leadership skills. During the Civil War he would become the commander of the Confederacy.

Ulysses S. Grant: served under Scott with Robert E. Lee and become close friends. During the war Grant would be rewarded twice for his bravery. The war had a deep impact on Grant, who would later say that he was morally against it.

Jefferson Davis: was a colonel of a volunteer regiment during the war serving under General Zachary Taylor. Due to his bravery in combat, the Governor of Mississippi would appoint him Senator. While in the Senate Davis would be a fierce defender of slavery and state's rights. Davis would later be chosen as the President of the Confederacy

Questions for Today's Reading

The Mexican-American War

The United States claimed that the border between Mexico and the U.S. was the

While Mexico claimed that the border was the __________________________.

1. Colonel Hitchcock wrote, “I have said from the first the United States are the aggressors….” Explain how the U.S. provoked Mexico into war.

2. Why was poet James Russell Lowell against the war?

3. What was the name of the essay that Henry David Thoreau wrote?

4. State two facts that the American naval officer tells the chiefs from various tribes in California.

5. Other than combat, name other causes of death for the American soldiers.

6. How many people deserted (left) the army during the war?

7. Explain the Treaty of Hidalgo.

8. Who was John O’Sullivan?

9. What were the actions taken by Congress that made it almost impossible to debate going to war?

10. Why were Reverend Theodore Parker and Congressman Delano against the Mexican-American War?

11. Explain Lincoln’s stance on the War with Mexico.

12. Explain the quote from the New York Herald on page 13.

13. Who captured Santa Fe?

14. Give an example of American soldiers acting undisciplined

15. Give an example of American officers mistreating the soldiers.

"We Take Nothing by Conquest, Thank God"

In 1845, a group of American soldiers under General Zachary Taylor was ordered by President Polk to patrol the land bordering the Rio Grande. As the troops set out to secure the border with Mexico, Polk was well aware that the military presence of the United States might provoke Mexico into fighting.

In April, Colonel Cross, an assistant to General Taylor was reported missing after he was ordered to ride up the Rio Grande. Eleven days later, his body was found with severe head wounds. It was assumed that Mexicans had crossed the river and attacked him. On April 25th, a patrol was attacked by Mexican soldiers. Sixteen soldiers died, others were wounded, and all the rest were captured. General Taylor sent a message to President Polk: "Hostilities may now be considered as commenced." This attack would be the opening shots of the Mexican-American War, a conflict that would forever alter the histories of Mexico and the United States.

The circumstances surrounding the attack on Taylor's troops are suspicious and cloudy. Did the attack take place on Mexican soil or American soil? To the Mexicans living in that area, the United States had invaded their territory and started the fighting. For many Americans, the attack was a sign of open hostility towards the United States and an insult to American integrity and honor.

I want you to think of the reading as a book or a movie. The reading was filled with characters who had their own motivations and beliefs. In class, we took a closer look at some of the people who were living during the Mexican-American War. Some, like Walt Whitman, were very eager to go to war with Mexico. Whitman wrote, "Mexico must be throughly chastised (punished)! ...Let our arms now be carried with a spirit which shall teach the world that, while we are not forward to a quarrel, America knows how to crush as well as how to expand!"

Whitman, a poet and author, seems very eager for the U.S. to punish Mexico. He feels that the world will learn that the United States is not going to seek out trouble, but will defend itself if there is the need. Many Americans were caught up in this patriotic fever of the time.

Some politicians, like Congressman Joshua Giddings were against the war. Giddings referred to the war as being "unholy, aggressive, and unjust." Others like Congressman Delano from Ohio were against the war for a much less moral reason. He felt that if the U.S. conquered Mexico, then the citizens of Mexico and the U.S. would intermarry leading to a corrupt race. Delano felt that the people of Mexico were of African, Spanish, and Native American blood and unfit to mix with the American race.

Giddings feared that the war will allow the evils of slavery to expand across the continent. Author Henry David Thoreau thought that the was unjust as well. When Massachusetts tax collector approached Thoreau to pay his taxes, he refused because of his opposition to the Mexican-American War. Thoreau was sent to jail for his actions. Thoreau published an essay entitled Resistance to Civil Government. In his essay, Thoreau believes that a citizen should not allow their beliefs or values be overruled by a government.

A young politician from Illinois doubted the validity of Polk's claim that the United States was attacked. He challenged the President to show him the spot where American blood was shed. His "spot resolutions" gained him some early recognition in his young political career. While serving in the House of Representatives he would declare that while "the war was unnecessarily and unconstitutionally commenced" Abraham Lincoln would vote for supplying the American soldiers with supplies. Not denying those serving of weapons, food, and clothing

Alamo Letter

4th Period Two Things for you to do

1. Print out the the entry from yesterday on "How to Lose Texas..." and put it in your binder

2. Answer the questions from the Alamo letter

The story of the Alamo is one that has be told and retold in classrooms throughout the United States. Books, stories, comics, T.V. shows, and films have all been made reproducing this story. For Americans, it is a symbol of American courageousness, a reminder that we are prepared to fight for what we believe in. The men who fought to defend that Spanish mission are enshrined at a memorial at the chapel that still stands. It is important to remember that these men were imperfect and had flaws like we do. Those that died fought to defend their rights, which included the right to own slaves. As the siege began the commander of the mission William B. Travis, sent a famous letter out seeking reinforcements.

Please read the statement then answer the questions.

"To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World—"

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby 24th, 1836 
To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World--
Fellow Citizens and Compatriots


I am besieged with a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly over the wall. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. 

The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a solder who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country. VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comd't

P.S. The Lord is on our side -- when the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn -- We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

1. What was the ultimatum that the Mexican government gave to the soldiers in the Alamo?

2. What was the response Travis gave them?

3. What is the outcome that Travis predicts? Do you think he accepts his fate?

4. Explain the P.S. in your own words.

The Texan Revolution or How to Lose Texas in Four Months

Six different flags have flown over the Texas: France, Spain, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Out of all the states in the Union, Texas has one of the most storied and richest histories. During the 1820s, many Americans would travel to Texas seeking cheap land and the ability to start a new life. Texas owes a great amount credit for its existence to a person who did not even live there.

Moses Austin was born in Dureham Connecticut. Austin owned a lead mine and company in Virginia. He was not the most business savvy man, and would eventually lose his fortune and be sued by his former partner, his brother. Austin eventually settled out in Missouri where he tried his luck in lead again. His business thrived and was very successful and he began to look for a way of investing his money.

In 1821, he received special permission from the Spanish crown to establish a colony in Texas. Austin's goal was to rent the land that he purchased from Spain to Americans and act as a landlord. Austin would die before his expedition would set out but would give control of the enterprise to his son Stephen.

Stephen F. Austin had reluctantly agreed to join his father's land business. His father's contract with Spain was no longer valid, Mexico would gain independence from Spain a few months after Moses Austin died. Stephen traveled to Mexico and attempted to get the new government to honor the contract that his father had made with Spain.

Mexico was in a difficult position in 1821. The new government was facing the challenging task of ruling a nation that was larger then the present day United States. Many Mexican officials were concerned that Texas would be lost to the British, Comanche Indians, or even taken over by their American neighbors. In an attempt to populate the area, they began to offer land at a cheap price to anyone who would move there. These new residents would not have to pay taxes for a few years as an added bonus.

The Mexican government agreed to let Austin lead some Americans into Texas but they must agree to follow several stipulations. The three important ones were: 1.) Residents of Texas must become Mexican citizens and pay taxes to Mexico, 2.) They must follow all Mexican laws and 3.) Residents must convert to Catholicism. Austin and his emigrants agreed to these rules, and by 1825, 300 Americans moved into Texas.

Over time thousands of Americans, many from the South would travel to Texas. For many Mexicans this was an un-welcomed sight. Americans ignored Mexican laws, including the ban on slavery and refused to assimilate. The Mexican government became concerned that these Americans would begin to dominate Texas. Mexico passed a law making it illegal for anyone from the U.S. to emigrate to Texas.

Mexico became under the control of General Atonio de Padua Maria Severino Lopez de Santa Anna y Perez de Lebron. (or Santa Anna if you do not have the time for all that) Santa Anna began to crack down on Texas and enforce Mexican laws that had been neglected for a period of time. When Mexican officials attempted to collect taxes from residents of Texas, many Texans felt that their rights were being trampled on.

Talks of breaking away from Mexico and joining the United States circulated around Texas. The U.S. did not want to annex Texas out of fear of fighting a war with Mexico. If the Texans wanted to break away from Mexico it would have to be done on their own.

After a brief skirmish with Mexican forces at the town of Gonzales, it became clear to many that peace with Mexico could not be achieved. Many saw themselves fighting a war for independence, similar to the conflict between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. Constitution was written that included the right of Texans to own slaves

The leaders of the colony met and declared that Sam Houston, the former Senator from Tennessee would be the Commander-in-Chief of the small Texan army. Houston was once a rising political star but due to political differences with Andrew Jackson, saw his prospects fade very quickly. Like other Texans, Houston hoped to build a new life for himself. Right away Houston faced the daunting task of leading a group of volunteers against a professional and highly trained military.