Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lincoln's Spot Resolutions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at historical relations between the United States and Mexico. In this Texas annexation lesson, students examine primary documents authored by Zachary Taylor, James Polk, and Abraham Lincoln to consider why the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Zachary Taylor

For Students 1st - 2nd
In this Zachary Taylor worksheet, students color a picture of our 12th president Zachary Taylor. Students color his picture and the caption of when he was president.
Graphic
Library of Congress

Loc: Portraits of the Presidents & First Ladies

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection from the Library of Congress of formal and informal portraits of the US presidents and their first ladies.
Primary
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: State of the Union Addresses and Messages

For Students 9th - 10th
This site compiles all of the State of the Union addresses and messages by all the presidents in U.S. history (except William Henry Harrison and James A. Garfield).
Website
Other

Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail Presents: Election of 1848

For Students 9th - 10th
An extensive look at the election of 1848 including information about the conventions, the parties which elected candidates, the platforms, and the outcome. From the Civil War Encyclopedia.
Website
Other

Dmwv: The u.s. Mexican War: 1846 1848

For Students 9th - 10th
Dedicated to the memory of U.S. veterans who fought in the U.S.-Mexican War, this website provides documents, images, maps, and FAQs.
Website
Son of the South

Son of the South: The Mexican War

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed discussion of the Mexican War, including key figures and major battles.
Handout
White House Historical Association

The White House Historical Association: The Presidents

For Students 9th - 10th
Complete biographies and photos of all past presidents.
Handout
US Army Center

U.s. Army Center of Military History: The Mexican War and After

For Students 9th - 10th
This site from the U.S. Army's Center of Military History offers a detailed account of the Mexican War and its important battles as well as a description of what occurred after the war.
Graphic
Digital Public Library of America

Dpla: Battle on the Ballot: Political Outsiders in Us Presidential Elections

For Students 9th - 10th
This exhibition explores the rich history of select individuals, parties, events, and movements that have influenced US presidential elections from the outside-outside Washington politics, outside the two-party system, and outside the...
Graphic
American Presidency Project

American Presidency Project: Election of 1848

For Students 9th - 10th
Online resource that provides detailed electoral data for the presidential election of 1848 won by Whig party candidate, Zachary Taylor.
Website
Digital History

Digital History: War With Mexico [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
Primary
Library of Congress

Loc: "I Do Solemnly Swear"

For Students 9th - 10th
An online exhibit of historically pertinent items dealing with the inauguration of a number of US Presidents.
Website
University of Groningen

American History: Presidents: Presidents: Zachary Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
Page from American History website with links to Zachary Taylor's Inaugural Address and State of the Union, both made in 1849. Provides context for Inaugural Address.
Handout
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: The Presidents Biography: 12. Zachary Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
A concise biography highlighting the professional life of President Zachary Taylor. Discover details about his domestic policy, foreign affairs, and presidential politics as well as what was going on during his term.
Activity
Curated OER

National Park Service: Fort Scott National Historic Site: The Mexican War

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a very brief overview of the Mexican War, organized into the following sections: "Zachary Taylor's Army," "The Army of the West," and "Invasion of Mexico City." Includes links to related articles and websites.
Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: Aftermath the Reckoning

For Students 9th - 10th
What happened in the 15 years that followed the annexation of Texas? How did the Mexican War end? Read this article to learn about the aftermath of the annexation, and check out primary documents--a "moral map" of the United States and a...
Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Zachary Taylor: Campaigns and Elections

For Students 9th - 10th
In this article from the Miller Center's site on Zachary Taylor, you can find a description of the election of 1848 and Taylor's decision to run as a Whig.
Activity
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

For Students 3rd - 8th
This 3-page article provides a general overview of the Mexican War which resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in Mexico City on February 2, 1848.
Website
A&E Television

History.com: American Presidents: Zachary Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
This easy-to-navigate site has President Zachary Taylor's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and video clips.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: "American Blood on American Soil"

For Students 5th - 8th
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...
Handout
Other

Potus: Zachary Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
Comprehensive facts about Zachary Taylor and his presidency. Includes biography, election results, cabinet members, odd facts, and notable events.
Primary
Bartleby

Bartleby.com: bartleby.com: Presidential Inaugural Address: Zachary Taylor

For Students 9th - 10th
Zachary Taylor's Inaugural Address, given March 5, 1849 is reproduced here, along with a portrait.
Website
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Human Genome Project: Presidential Visit From the Grave

For Students 9th - 10th
This resource details a slight controversy solved over the sudden death of President Zachary Taylor. It provides brief, but very interesting information on the subject.