The Mexican War Te a c h e r s Guide

Transcription

1 The Mexican War Te a c h e r s Guide

2 The Mexican War Grades 5-8 p roduced by Ancient Lights Educational Media Te a c h e r s Guide by Joseph S itko, P h. D.

3 This video is the exclusive property of the copyright holder. Copying, transmitting, or reproducing in any form, or by any means, without prior written permission from the copyright holder is prohibited (Title 17, U.S. Code Sections 501 and 506) Joe Sitko

4 The Mexican War Ta ble of Contents Introduction and Summary of Program 1 Links to Curriculum Program 1 Teacher Preparation/Instructional Notes 2 Student Preparations 2 Student Objectives 3 Introducing the Program 3 Follow-Up Discussions 3 Extended Learning Activities 4 Description of Blackline Masters 4 Answer Key 5, 6 Narration of Script 7-13 Video Quiz 13 This video is closed captioned The purchase of this program entitles the user to the right to reproduce or duplicate, in whole or in part, this teacher s guide and the blackline master handouts that accompany it for the purpose of teaching in conjunction with this program, The Mexican War: This right is restricted only for use with this program. Any reproduction or duplication in whole or in part of this guide and the blackline master handouts for any purpose other than for use with this program is prohibited.

5 CLASSROOM/LIBRARY CLEARANCE NOTICE This program is for instructional use. The cost of each program includes public performance rights as long as no admission charge is made. Public performance rights are defined as viewing of a video in the course of face-toface teaching activities in a classroom, library, or similar setting devoted to instruction. Closed Circuit Rights are included as a part of the pubic performance rights as long as closed-circuit transmission is restricted to a single campus. For multiple locations, call your United Learning representative. Television/Cable/Satellite Rights are available. Call your United Learning representative for details. Duplication Rights are available if requested in large quantities. Call your United Learning representative for details. Quantity Discounts are available for large purchases. Call your United Learning representative for information and pricing. Discounts, and some special services, are not applicable outside the United States. Your suggestions and recommendations are welcome. Feel free at any time to call United Learning at

6 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAM This program explores the causes of the Mexican War especially as it relates to the popular American concept of "manifest destiny";the notion that the United States should fill up the North American continent from "sea to shining sea" and "spread the blessings of liberty and democracy across the land". In this program students learn about the Texas rebellion,the Bear Flag revolt,important details about how the Mexican War was carried out, as well as the consequences of the war for both the United States and Mexico. LINKS TO CURRICULUM STANDARDS The design for this program was guided by the curriculum standards of the States of Texas,California,and Illinois as well as the National Center for History in Schools (U.C.L.A).In accordance with these guidelines we have attempted to help students: 1.Describe the historical significance of the Mexican War to both the United States and Mexico. 2. Describe the role the issue of slavery played in Texas statehood and the consequences of the Mexican War. 3.Identify the concept of "manifest destiny" and how it affected the policies of the United States in the 1840s and 1850s. 4.Identify ways that military conflicts can be provoked in order to accomplish national goals. 5.Develop improved concepts of time and chronology as well as improved verbal skills. 6. Recognize and investigate problems and proposed solutions based on reason and evidence. 7.Express and interpret information and ideas. 8.Use computer networks to access information. 1

7 TEACHER PREPARATION/INSTRUCTIONAL NOTES 1. Before presenting this lesson to your students we suggest that you review history textbooks on the key historical events that occurred during the two decades before the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. We also advise you to preview the program and review the guide and accompanying Blackline Masters in order to familiarize yourself with their content. As you review the materials presented in this guide, you may find it necessary to make some changes,additions, or deletions to meet the specific needs of your class. We encourage you to do so, for only by tailoring this program to your class will they obtain the maximum instructional benefits afforded by the materials. It is also suggested that the program presentation take place before the entire group under your supervision.the lesson activities grow out of the context of the program;therefore, the presentation should be a common experience for all students. You should also duplicate selected "hand out" materials from the Blackline Masters included in this guide. 2. Set up a "Learning Center" with maps, pictures, artifacts, or other materials relevant to the Mexican War,The Texas Rebellion,the Bear Flag Revolt, manifest destiny, slave and free states and territories before the Civil War. Before viewing The Mexican War STUDENT PREPARATION 1.Have students explore the "Learning Center". 2. Introduce or review with your students the meaning of any words from The Vocabulary List and Activity with which they may need help. 2

8 STUDENT OBJECTIVES After viewing the program and participating in the lesson activities students should be able to: 1. Describe some of the main causes, events, and outcomes of the Mexican War. 2.Explain the concept of "manifest destiny". Using a large map, point out the territory the U.S.obtained as a result of the Mexican War. Point out the area of disputed land that led to the outbreak of the Mexican War. Distribute the Crossword Puzzle, and the Video Quiz Present the Program INTRODUCING THE PROGRAM FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSION It is recommended that you involve students in a brief discussion after viewing the program and before assigning the Follow-Up Activities.The following subjects could be explored: 1.How various governments have fought to provoke conflicts in order to pursue national objectives. 2.The American view of Mexico in the 1840s and vice-versa. 3.Antislavery - proslavery debates in the years before the Civil War. 4.The vision of America's manifest destiny. 5.The treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo. 3

9 EXTENDED LEARNING ACTIVITIES A.In order to express and communicate ideas and improve research skills use the INTERNET and other resources to prepare papers or oral reports on the following subjects: 1.All of the discussion topics listed on previous page. 2.Figures in the Mexican War:Who they were and their roles in the conflict: a.james K. Polk b. Robert Stockton c. John D. Sloat d. John C. Fremont c. Stephen W. Kearny d.kit Carson e.winfield Scott f.antonio Lopez de Santa Anna DESCRIPTION OF BLACKLINE MASTERS Blackline Master # 1 Pre-Test, when compared to the QUIZ results,will help you gauge student progress. Blackline Master # 2 Vocabulary List and Activity that will introduce students to unfamiliar words used in the program, or terms pertaining to the subject of the program they may encounter in outside reading. Blackline Master # 3 The Mexican War Crossword Puzzle. Blackline Masters # 4 Timeline and Activity that helps students to develop improved concepts of time and chronology as it pertains to the content of this program. Blackline Master # 5 Post-Test that may be used to evaluate student progress. Blackline Master # 6 is a printed version of the Video Quiz that appears at the end of this program.the video quiz encourages attentiveness and tests information retention. 4

10 ANSWER KEY Blackline Master 1. Pre-Test 1. land, territory slave-state 5.lost nearly half its territory to the U.S. Blackline Master 2. Vocabulary Activity 1.province 2.instigate 3.dispatched 4. transaction 5. statehood Blackline Master 3. The Mexican War Crossword Puzzle M A N I F E S T N A N N B E A R T A Y L O R A O F U E I S M I O K E A R N Y N T A E N R E E S L A V E R Y A D A 5

11 Blackline Master 4. Timeline Activity 1.G, D, C, I, A, E, B, H, F, J, 1865 Blackline Master 5. Post-Test 1a.California,Arizona,New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada,Wyoming, Utah 1b. California 2a. John Fremont,Winfield Scott, Zachary Taylor 2b. Zachary Taylor 3. Manifest destiny was the belief prevalent in the United States in the 1840s that the nation should keep growing westward and expanding across the continent till it reached the Pacific Ocean.Manifest destiny also encompassed the belief that people in the new territories would benefit from the blessings of liberty and democracy which being part of the U.S. would bestow. The war with Mexico was provoked by the United States in order to fulfill its manifest destiny by increasing its territory to the Pacific Ocean and by bringing U.S.democratic government to the former Mexican citizens of areas such as California and New Mexico. Blackline Master 6 Video Quiz 1.False,The Bear-Flag Revolt was a revolution in California. 2. True 3.False, New Mexico was taken by the U.S.with little bloodshed. 4.True 5.False, Stephen Kearny was a Brigadier-General during the Mexican War.The U.S.president was James K. Polk. 6

12 The Mexican Wa r : Narration of Script In the year 1846 a war broke out between the United States and Mexico: They called it the Mexican War. The fighting went on for two years and when it was over Mexico was forced to hand over more than half a million square miles of its territory, nearly half the country, to the United States. This land included all of what are now the states of California,Utah, and Nevada and large parts of Arizona,New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming as well.by greatly increasing the size of the United States,the Mexican War opened up a whole new region to slavery;and the issue of slavery so divided the nation that it led directly to war between the states. In order to understand what caused the conflict between the United States and Mexico, it is important to understand how the land of North America changed hands during the early years of the American Republic. 7

13 SHIFTING NATIONAL BORDERS: By the time the 13 colonies declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776 Spain controlled almost all the land west of the Mississippi River. However as a result of the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War the U.S gained a vast amount of land that had never been part of the original 13 colonies;this brought the edge of the United States right up to the lands controlled by Spain. National borders changed quickly back then and in 1800 Spain transferred a large part of its North American territory to France and three years later France sold it to the United States: This famous real estate transaction was called the Louisiana Purchase. As we have just seen, in the 27 years from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the Louisiana Purchase the size of the United States had increased immensely so that it extended far beyond the Mississippi River: at the same time Spanish territory was shrinking. And most Americans liked it that way:they wanted the United States to keep on growing westward until it reached the Pacific Ocean. 1821:Florida Becomes U.S. Territory & Mexico Gains Independence As the 19th century wore on,spain became more and more preoccupied with problems in Europe and seemed to lose interest in North America;as a result several of its colonies began to seek independence. In the year 1821 Spain approved a treaty that gave control of Florida and the southern parts of what are now the states of Alabama and Mississippi to the United States.But 1821 was important for another reason because it was the year Mexico obtained its independence from Spain.After that time Mexican flags began to fly over towns such as Santa Fe, Los Angeles,San Francisco and San Antonio. 8

14 REVOLUTION IN TEXAS: From the earliest days of its independence Mexico had allowed Americans to settle in the region they called Texas and that is why it is in Texas we find the roots of the Mexican War. Back in the 1820's American's were attracted to the area because of its inexpensive land prices. In fact so many Americans came, they soon outnumbered the Texans of Mexican descent. Many Texans wanted to use slaves on their big farms, and problems started to develop in 1829 when Mexico outlawed slavery. Then, the Mexican government closed Texas to further American settlement.as a result Texans declared their independence from Mexico. In 1836,after two years of revolution,texas became an independent nation.but Texans really didn't want independence, they wanted to join the United States:A plan that Mexico was dead-set against.there was also great opposition to Texas from northern free states who didn't want a new slave state in the Union. Nevertheless in 1845 Congress voted in favor of Texas statehood and when this happened Mexico cut off its relations with the United States. MANIFEST DESTINY / STARTING A WAR In the 1840s the people of the United States had come to believe that it was their nation's "MANIFEST DESTINY" to keep growing westward; spreading what they saw as the blessings of liberty and democracy across the land.in fact some Americans even wanted the United States to take over Mexico and Canada. The same year Texas became a state, 1845, U.S.President James K. Polk tried to make a deal to buy the northern half of Mexico, some of which had been inhabited by Spanish-speaking people for well over 200 years. For the province of New Mexico the U.S offered five million dollars and for the province of Alta California, 25 million dollars:the government of Mexico was so offended they refused to even discuss the offer. To punish Mexico for its refusal the United States decided to start a war and force them to sell the land.this was quite easy to do since the new state of Texas was claiming the Rio Grande as its western boundary, while Mexico claimed the border was where it always had been; much further east at the Nueces River. As a result a very large area of land was in dispute.to provoke a war U.S. troops were sent into the disputed area and, as they expected, they were attacked by Mexican forces for doing so. As soon as this happened the United States claimed its territory had been invaded and so, on May 13,1846, the U.S.declared war on Mexico. 9

15 THE BEAR FLAG REVOLT AND THE U.S. INVASION OF CALIFORNIA: June-July 1846 In June of 1846, on hearing war had been declared, American settlers living in the Sacramento Valley of California declared their independence from Mexico and raised the flag of the "California Republic" in the capital of Sonoma.This Rebellion known as "The Bear Flag Revolt" was instigated in part by Captain John C. Fremont and a band of soldiers who had been secretly working under orders from the U.S. government even before the declaration of war. Shortly after the revolt began,the important port city of Monterey was captured by a small U.S.invasion force, that had been brought in on ships commanded by Commodore John Sloat. THE CONQUEST OF NEW MEXICO:August, 1846 At the same time U.S. forces began to occupy Monterey, troops under General Stephen Kearny were dispatched from Fort Leavenworth in Kansas with orders to take New Mexico and then invade California. Kearny's troops headed west along the Santa Fe trail;the road that had served as a vital trade route between the United States and Mexico from the early days of Mexican Independence. About halfway to Santa Fe the troops reached the frontier trading post called Bent's Fort located in present day Colorado. This fort lay just across the Arkansas River from the disputed territory that had led to America's declaration of war on Mexico. It was near Bent's Fort that Kearny's forces crossed the river and from there went on to take Santa Fe without bloodshed. But, even though the invasion brought American rule to New Mexico, there was still much more military work that General Kearny had been ordered to do. 10

16 THE CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA: After their success at Santa Fe, Kearny and his men,with the famous frontier scout Kit Carson as their guide, headed off across a thousand miles of desert to invade California from the east. As Kearny's forces moved steadily westward a large army commanded by future U.S.president Zachary Taylor marched south from the Texas town of Corpus Christi to mount an attack on another Mexican city called Monterrey. In the extremely bloody battle that followed, many hundreds of soldiers were killed, but eventually Taylor was able to capture the city and the great fortress that protected it. A few months later, in December of 1846,General Kearny's army had finally reached California.As they crossed over some high hills down into the valley of San Pascual near San Diego they encountered Mexican soldiers. In the ensuing battle Kearny was badly wounded and some of his men were killed.however most of them survived and went on to join forces with other U.S. troops led by Commodore Robert Stockton.Together Kearny and Stockton's troops were able to defeat a powerful Mexican force in the battle of San Gabriel near Los Angeles:and with that victory, in January of 1847,the United States took possession of California. 11

17 THE CONQUEST OF MEXICO CITY: 1847 With American forces in control of northern Mexico the United States shifted its attention south toward the population center of the country. America planned a major attack on the region with the goal of forcing the Mexican government into accepting the permanent loss of its northern territory. In the early spring of 1847 ships were prepared to transport an invasion force led by General Winfield Scott from New Orleans to the large port of Vera Cruz on the Gulf Coast of Mexico.When they reached Vera Cruz, Scott's ships were greeted with cannon fire.the ships responded quickly and began to bombard the fortifications.the fighting went on for days,and much of Vera Cruz was destroyed as a result, but eventually, on March 29,1847, the city surrendered to the Americans.Then,marching inland from the coast, U.S.troops began to make their way toward Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. In April,among these rugged hills west of Vera Cruz the terrible battle of Cerro Gordo was fought when Scott's forces encountered the army led by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna a famous general, and sometimes the president of Mexico. After U.S.troops won this battle President Polk offered to give Santa Anna a million dollars if he would sign a peace treaty;but Santa Anna refused.so U.S. forces had to continue along the road to the capital.and in September of 1847, 30,000 U.S and Mexican troops battled fiercely for control of the city. The United States won the battle and that gave the victorious General Scott an opportunity to parade his troops around Mexico's great National Cathedral in the very heart of the capital city. THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HILDALGO It was on Feb 2,1848 that the treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo was signed, formally ending the Mexican War. In it Mexico agreed to accept the Rio Grande as its new border with Texas and to sell its northern territory for only half what the U.S.had offered for it before the war began. 12

18 CONCLUSION In all about 25,000 Mexican and 12,700 American soldiers died as a result of the Mexican War.These deaths occurred so that America could fulfill its Manifest Destiny and become a "two-ocean country". And although California entered the union as a free state in 1850,the rest of the land the United States gained from the Mexican War was opened up to slavery until this practice was finally outlawed at the end of America's Civil War. VIDEO QUIZ 1.True or False? The Bear Flag Revolt was a revolution in Texas. 2.True or False? The land that makes up today's state of Arizona was once a possession of Spain. 3.True or False? The worst battle of the Mexican war was fought in today's state of New Mexico. 4.True or False? In the 1840's the concept of Manifest Destiny strongly influenced American politics. 5.True or False? Stephen Kearney was the U.S.president during the Mexican War. 13

19 Name The Mexican War P r e - Te s t Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the correct word, date or phrase. 1. The war between the U.S. and Mexico was about. 2. Mexico gained independence from Spain in. 3. The United States invaded both California and New Mexico in the year. 4. In the 1840s, there was opposition to Texas statehood because it would enter the union as a new. 5. As a result of the Mexican War Mexico. 1

20 Name The Mexican War Vocabulary List Bear Flag Revolt - A revolt by American settlers in June of 1846 in California to gain independence from Mexico. Bent's Fort - A large trading post on the Santa Fe trail in today's state of Colorado. Carson, Kit - Originally a fur trader, he served as a guide for the military in the 1840s. cede - give up territory. Mexico ceded its northern territory to the U.S. for 15 million dollars. cession - ceding or giving up commodore - The commander of a naval squadron, one rank lower than rear-admiral. Compromise of An agreement reached between northern free states and southern slave states that helped delay the Civil War by more than ten years. Of particular concern was how the areas acquired by the Mexican War would deal with the issue of slavery. dispatched - to send off Fremont, John C. - As a second lieutenant in the army he explored much of the area between the Rocky mountains and the Pacific ocean with the help of Kit Carson. Before the outbreak of the Mexican War he worked to stir up American settlers in California to revolt against Mexico. He later was a U.S. senator and the Republican candidate for president in Gadsden Purchase - Purchase of additional land from Mexico in 1853 added territory to southern Arizona and New Mexico and opened the way for a rail route to the Pacific. Guadalupe Hildalgo, The Treaty of - The treaty that formally ended the Mexican War. Under the treaty the Rio Grande became the border between Texas and Mexico, and the U.S. purchased the land of the states of California, Utah, and Nevada as well as large parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Wyoming. Instigate - to bring about through persuasion. Kearny, Stephen Watts - Commander of the western armies of the United States in the Mexican war. Louisiana Purchase - U.S. purchase of over 827,000 square miles of land from France in 1803 for 15 million dollars. Eventually parts of 15 states were formed out of the region (although some of this land was ceded to Spain in 1819). Manifest destiny - The American view of its destiny in the 1840s of a country that expands its boundaries across the continent bestowing the "blessings of liberty and democracy" as it grows. Mexican War - The war between the United States and Mexico Monterey, California - The most important port in Mexican California. It was captured by U.S. forces under John D. Sloat in July of Monterrey, Mexico - Mexico's fourth largest city, founded in the 1560s, it lies 140 miles south of Laredo, Texas. 2

21 The Mexican War Vocabulary List ( c o n t. ) Polk, James K.- U.S. president during the Mexican War and the 11th U.S. president. Rio Grande - A river that flows from the Rockies of Colorado into the Gulf of Mexico, it defines the boundary between the state of Texas and Mexico. Santa Anna, Antonio Lopez de - An important Mexican general. He fought against Spain in 1829 when they tried to reconquer Mexico. He led battles in the Texas war for Independence and in the Mexican War. He served as Mexico's president eleven different times. Santa Fe Trail - A trade route established in 1821 between Independence, Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe - The capital of New Mexico, which was founded by Spain in Scott, Winfield - Famous U.S. general during the Mexican War. He ran for U.S. president for the Whig party in 1852 but lost. Sloat, John Drake - The U.S. Navy commodore who oversaw the capture of Monterey, California in July of Statehood - The achievement of becoming a state. Province - A region and a political unit of a nation. Taylor, Zachary - Mexican War general he became the 12th U.S. president. Transaction - A business or real estate agreement or deal. Vera Cruz - Mexico's principle eastern port. Vocabulary List A c t i v i t i e s Instructions: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate words from the vocabulary list. 1. Before the Mexican War, New Mexico was a of Mexico. 2. John Fremont helped to the Bear Flag Revolt by stirring up the emotions of the American settlers in California. 3. Troops led by Stephen Kearny were from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to take New Mexico for the United States. 4. The Louisiana Purchase was a very large real estate. 5. Texas achieved in a

22 Name The Mexican War Crossword Puzzle ACROSS 1. In the 1840s, the U.S. wanted to fulfill its destiny, and become a "two-ocean" country The 1846 revolution by American settlers in California was called the Flag Revolt The American hero of the Mexican War named Zachary became the 12th U.S. president The general who brought his troops all the way from Kansas to California during the Mexican was named Stephen. 4 5.The debate over almost prevented Texas from becoming a state. 5 5 DOWN 1. The most famous Mexican general of the Mexican war was named Antonio Lopez de. 2. The capital of New Mexico,, was captured by American forces without bloodshed. 3. In 1803, the Purchase greatly expanded U.S. territory. 4. In July of 1846, U.S. forces under Commodore John Sloat invaded the important California port called. 5. The land that makes up the entire states of California, Utah and as well as large parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming was acquired because of the Mexican War. 3

23 Name The Mexican War Ti m e l i n e 1521 Spain conquers Aztec Mexico Spain discovers St. Augustine, Florida The English found their first North American colony at Jamestown in Virginia Spain discovers Santa Fe, New Mexico Spain starts building missions in California Revolutionary War begins at Lexington, Massachusetts Declaration of Independence 1781 Last battle of America's War for Independence at Yorktown, Virginia Final peace treaty between Great Britain and the U.S is signed in Paris Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia produces a new U.S. Constitution Spain hands over a large area of North American land to France President Thomas Jefferson makes the Louisiana Purchase from France The U.S. cedes some of the Louisiana purchase territory to Spain Florida comes under U.S. control. Mexico gains independence from Spain Mexico is ruled by an emperor Mexico becomes a republic Mexico outlaws slavery. Spain attempts, but fails, to reconquer Mexico Santa Anna becomes dictator of Mexico. 4

24 Name The Mexican War Texas wins independence from Mexico Texas statehood 1846 March - U.S. tries to buy northern Mexico but is rejected. April - Mexican troops attack U.S. forces in disputed area near Texas. May - U.S. declares war on Mexico. June - Bear Flag revolt in California. July - U.S. invades California. August - U.S. takes Santa Fe. September - U.S. forces under Zachary Taylor to take Monterrey, Mexico. December - Battle of San Pascual in California; Kearny wounded. U.S. forces take El Paso January - Battle of San Gabriel cements U.S. control of California. February - Taylor's forces win battle of Buena Vista. March - U.S. forces invade Vera Cruz. April - U.S. defeats Santa Anna at Cerro Gordo near Vera Cruz. August - U.S. forces win at Churubusco. September - Final U.S. victory in Mexico City: The battle of Chapultepec February - Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo ends the Mexican War. June - U.S. troops leave Mexico City. November - Zachary Taylor is elected U.S. president Gold rush in California 1850 California statehood. Compromise of 1850 temporarily solves problems relating to slavery in the lands acquired by the Mexican War, thus delaying the outbreak of the Civil War Winfield Scott runs for U.S. president, but is defeated by Franklin Pierce John C. Fremont runs for president but is defeated by Buchanan Oregon statehood 1861 Civil War begins between free and slave states French troops occupy Mexico City Maximilian of Austria becomes emperor of Mexico U.S. Civil War ends. Abraham Lincoln is assassinated. Slavery is abolished in the U.S. by the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. 4(cont.)

25 Name The Mexican War Timeline A c t i v i t y Instructions: Using the number one as the oldest and ten as the most recent, list the following events from one to ten. Write the date(s) after each number. A. Mexican Independence B. Texas Independence C. U.S. Declaration of Independence D. First mission established in California. E. Slavery outlawed in Mexico. F. California statehood G. Spain discovers Saint Augustine, Florida. H. U.S. declaration of war on Mexico. I. Louisiana Purchase J. Slavery outlawed in U.S. 4(cont.)

26 Name The Mexican War P o s t - Te s t 1a. Name the modern-day states whose territory was either wholly or partially obtained as a result of the Mexican War. 1b. Which of the states listed above was the first to enter the Union as a state? 2a. Name the three U.S. military figures of the Mexican War who ran for U.S. president. 2b. Who won? 3. What is the concept of "manifest destiny" and how does it relate to the Mexican War? 5

27 Name The Mexican War Video Quiz 1. True or False? The Bear Flag Revolt was a revolution in Texas. 2. True or False? The land that makes up today's state of Arizona was once a possession of Spain. 3. True or False? The worst battle of the Mexican war was fought in today's state of New Mexico. 4. True or False? In the 1840's, the concept of Manifest Destiny strongly influenced American politics. 5. True or False? Stephen Kearny was the U.S. president during the Mexican War. 6