Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: The Republic of Texas and the Mexican American War
Article on the history of Texas framed in a discussion of Spanish colonization to help readers better understand events leading to the Mexican-American War. With bullet pointed facts and links to primary source material.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: The Mexican American War
A quick comprehension check over the Mexican-American War.
Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech: The Mexican American War and the Media, 1845 1848
A collection of newspaper articles, images, timelines, and bibliographies related to the Mexican-American War.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Expansion and War: The United States 1840 1860
Article on the era of westward expansion and the resulting Mexican American War. The author demonstrates how Manifest Destiny and frontier settlement led to the annexation of Texas and ultimately war with Mexico over the territory.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: California and the Gold Rush
Article by Henry Sage explaining the history of California, how it became a state, and how President Polks desire to acquire California contributed to the Mexican-American War.
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Texas From American Settlement to Annexation 1820 1845
Article in which the author takes us through the history of Texas from the time Americans arrived and settled in the area to annexation, and finally, war with Mexico over the territory. With photographs and links to related resources.
US Department of State
U.s. Department of State: Office of the Historian: Milestones: 1830 1860
Concisely written accounts of three important events in the history and shaping of Texas: the Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: The Price of Freedom: Americans at War
View comprehensive sets of artifacts that tell the story of America's wartime past and present. Artifacts from every major American military conflict, beginning with the American Revolution, can be closely examined. Full curatorial notes...
Other
Kentucky Historical Society: Kentucky Military Treasures
A collection of personal stories, illustrated with artifacts, documents, and photographs, that exemplifies the military experiences of Kentuckians in America's wars, beginning with the War of 1812. Requires Adobe Flash.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Quiz 1
A quick five question quiz over US history in the mid 1800s.
Digital History
Digital History: War With Mexico [Pdf]
Read about the reasons President James Polk presented to Congress as justification for a declaration of war against Mexico. Find Polk's war message and the rebuttal by Congressman Davis.
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: Notable Texans Before 1900
Lone Star Junction identifies an extensive list of high-profile Texans prior to 1900. A chart informs readers what general role in Texas history each person was involved in from Texas Revolution, Indian Wars, Civil War, and the...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: Annexing Texas
Quickly following Texan independence, the United States admitted Texas into the republic as a slave state.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Californio to American: A Study in Cultural Change
This site has a lesson about the ranching industry, creation of California towns and the changes over time. Contains information, inquiry question, historical context, maps, readings, and images.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Interactives: The Nation Expands: Texas Annexation, 1845
Explains how Texas came to become part of the Union in 1845, at its own request. This precipitated the Mexican-American War.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1844 1877: The Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850 acted as a band-aid over the growing wound of sectional divide.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: "American Blood on American Soil"
President James Polk's desire was for the United States to stretch from sea to shining sea. See what happened when his overatures to Mexico to buy the land north of the Rio Grande River were spurned. Take a brief vote to see if Polk was...
Son of the South
Son of the South: The History of Texas: Battle of Medina
Written in the style of a narrative of events, read the stories surrounding the Battle of Medina in the Mexican War for Independence from Spain.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Stephen F. Austin
Read this short biography of Stephen F. Austin, complete with links to primary documents involving the empresario known as "The Father of Texas."
University of Texas at Austin
Center for American History: Texas, Texans, and the Alamo
This is an online exhibit of photographs and other momentos from throughout the colonization of the Mexican territory as well as during the war.
Curated OER
President James L. Polk
The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco displays the history of the Mexican-American War, including an explanation of border changes in the California and Mexico areas. It also discusses the idea of Manifest Destiny.
Curated OER
Photograph of Zachary Taylor
The Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco displays the history of the Mexican-American War, including an explanation of border changes in the California and Mexico areas. It also discusses the idea of Manifest Destiny.