Reading and Writing Workshop
Reading and Writing Workshop: U.S. Expansion and the Mexican-American War
Overview:
This unit explores the era of Manifest Destiny, westward migration, conflicts over Texas, the Mexican-American War, and shifting borders including the Gadsden Purchase. Through historical texts and writing activities, students will critically engage with U.S. expansion in the 19th century.
Session 1: Manifest Destiny and Westward Migration
Objective:
Analyze the ideology of Manifest Destiny and its influence on westward expansion.
Reading:
In what ways did Manifest Destiny justify westward expansion? How did it affect the people already living in these territories? Write a journal entry from the perspective of either a settler or an Indigenous person during this period.
Session 2: The Texas Revolution and Republic of Texas
Objective:
Examine the causes and outcomes of the Texas Revolution and the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Reading:
Choose a figure from the Texas Revolution (e.g., Sam Houston, Santa Anna, a Tejano fighter) and write a fictionalized letter reflecting on the events leading to Texas' independence and its declaration as a republic.
Session 3: The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Objective:
Understand the motivations, major events, and outcomes of the Mexican-American War.
Reading:
After reading, write a persuasive editorial either supporting or criticizing the U.S. involvement in the Mexican-American War. Use historical evidence from the texts.
Session 4: The Gadsden Purchase and Shifting Borders
Objective:
Explore how U.S. territorial expansion continued after the war and the effects of the Gadsden Purchase.
Reading:
Create a short speech as a U.S. government official explaining to Congress or the public why the Gadsden Purchase is essential to national interests.
Optional Enrichment Activity:
Compare and contrast maps of North America from before and after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase. Write a short reflection on how borders shape national and cultural identity.
Overview:
This unit explores the era of Manifest Destiny, westward migration, conflicts over Texas, the Mexican-American War, and shifting borders including the Gadsden Purchase. Through historical texts and writing activities, students will critically engage with U.S. expansion in the 19th century.
Session 1: Manifest Destiny and Westward Migration
Objective:
Analyze the ideology of Manifest Destiny and its influence on westward expansion.
Reading:
- John L. O’Sullivan’s essay coining “Manifest Destiny”
“Annexation” (1845) by John L. O'Sullivan
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44449 - Excerpt from A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains by Isabella L. Bird (1879)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5700
In what ways did Manifest Destiny justify westward expansion? How did it affect the people already living in these territories? Write a journal entry from the perspective of either a settler or an Indigenous person during this period.
Session 2: The Texas Revolution and Republic of Texas
Objective:
Examine the causes and outcomes of the Texas Revolution and the formation of the Republic of Texas.
Reading:
- The Life of General Sam Houston by Charles Edwards Lester (1855)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/44916 - Recollections of the Alamo by Amelia E. Barr (1900)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34582
Choose a figure from the Texas Revolution (e.g., Sam Houston, Santa Anna, a Tejano fighter) and write a fictionalized letter reflecting on the events leading to Texas' independence and its declaration as a republic.
Session 3: The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Objective:
Understand the motivations, major events, and outcomes of the Mexican-American War.
Reading:
- The War with Mexico, Vol. 1 by Justin H. Smith (1919) (Chapters on U.S. invasion and battles)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20240 - President James K. Polk’s War Message to Congress (May 11, 1846)
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50266
After reading, write a persuasive editorial either supporting or criticizing the U.S. involvement in the Mexican-American War. Use historical evidence from the texts.
Session 4: The Gadsden Purchase and Shifting Borders
Objective:
Explore how U.S. territorial expansion continued after the war and the effects of the Gadsden Purchase.
Reading:
- Annual Report of the Secretary of War (1854) on the Gadsden Purchase
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53555 - The West: Its Commerce and Navigation by James Hall (1836) – contextual reading on westward expansion
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37025
Create a short speech as a U.S. government official explaining to Congress or the public why the Gadsden Purchase is essential to national interests.
Optional Enrichment Activity:
Compare and contrast maps of North America from before and after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase. Write a short reflection on how borders shape national and cultural identity.