Question

in 1847, the massachusetts legislature passed a resolution, written by charles sumner, opposing the war with mexico. this is an excerpt from the resolution.
resolved, that the present war with mexico has its primary origin in the unconstitutional annexation to the united states of the foreign state of texas, while the same was still at war with mexico; that it was unconstitutionally commenced by the order of the president, to general taylor, to take military possession of territory in dispute between the united states and mexico, and in the occupation of mexico; and that it is now waged ingloriously—by a powerful nation against a weak neighbor—unnecessarily and without just cause, at immense cost of treasure money and life, for the dismemberment of mexico, and for the conquest of a portion of her territory, from which slavery has already been excluded, with the triple object of extending slavery, of strengthening the \slave power,\ and of obtaining the control of the free states, under the constitution of the united states....
source: massachusetts house of representatives

1. which evidence best supports the claims made by this excerpted resolution?

(1) mexican military forces attacked u.s. army troops on the northern bank of the rio grande river.
(2) american settlers of texas who grew cotton with enslaved labor hoped to join the union as a slave state.
(3) the u.s. congress authorized use of force against mexico in response to a request by president polk.
(4) most americans were in favor of proceeding with the annexation of texas

1. this excerpted resolution opposing the mexican american war reflects which debate raging at that time?

(1) the debate over whether or not slavery should be allowed to expand into american territories, challenging the balance of free and slave states
(2) the debate over the idea of a bicameral legislature in the legislative branch of the federal government
(3) the debate over whether or not popular sovereignty should be used as a tool to decide if a state would allow the enslavement of african americans
(4) the debate over whether or not the united states should proceed with the annexation of texas

Explanation:

Question 12

The resolution claims the war with Mexico originated from unconstitutional annexation of Texas and was for extending slavery. Option (2) states American settlers in Texas (who used enslaved labor) wanted to join the Union as a slave state, which supports the claim about extending slavery. Option (1) is about Mexican attack (opposite of the resolution’s claim), (3) is about US Congress authorization (not about the war’s origin), (4) is about public favor (not related to the resolution’s claims).

The resolution mentions the war was to extend slavery into new territory. The debate over slavery’s expansion into territories (challenging free - slave state balance) matches. Option (2) is about bicameral legislature (unrelated), (3) is about popular sovereignty for states (not the main debate here), (4) is about Texas annexation (the resolution is about the war, not just annexation).

Answer:

(2) American settlers of Texas who grew cotton with enslaved labor hoped to join the union as a slave state.

Question 13