Expanding Markets and Moving West

9.3 - Expansion in Texas

9.3 - Expansion in Texas

Main Idea

Essential Question

Why would Texas prefer independence?

Why would Texas prefer annexation into

the US?

ObjectivesExplain the impact that

Mexican independence had on the

US

Compare the Texas

Revolution to the

Revolutionary War

Describe how the

Annexation of Texas led

to the Mexican-American

War

Mexican Independence

Mexico gains independence from Spain in 1821. They faced difficulties maintaining and protecting large borders Communication between the capital Mexico City and the

northern provinces of Texas and California proved fruitless

After independence, Mexico sought to improve its economy by trading with the US. Trade opportunities involved the sale of cattle, hides and other commercial goods

US had tried unsuccessfully to purchase Texas from Mexico during the Quincy Adams and Jackson administrations

Americans continued to covet Texas, and in 1823, Mexico begins inviting US settlers to move to the territory. The goal was to fill out land, stimulate business. Soon Americans outnumber Mexicans

Frontier Americans settle Texas

Empresarios –

Threatened by Americans refusal to abide by Mexican Catholicism, or the prohibition on slavery, strict new laws are enforced. These measures did not have the intended effect. Settlers simply ignored the laws. No new US settlers could migrate Property tax exemption revoked, Tariffs on US goods increased Mexico freed its slaves and prohibited them in Texas, much to the anger of

the farming based Americans

Stephen F. Austin –

““I fully hoped to have found Texas at

peace and in tranquility, but I

regret to find it in commotion, and threatened with

immediate hostilities… can this state of things exist without precipitating

the country into a war? I think it

cannot.”

Stephen F. Austin

Conflict Brews Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna –

Sent army to force Texas to obey Mexican laws. He revoked powers of Empresarios and initiated a crackdown on US settlers

Austin called followers to arms to defend their their weapons storages to prevent Mexican seizure

Anahuac Disturbances –

Texas was supported in their war by the US, but President Jackson was hesitant to formally recognize Texas as an independent nation until he had secured Martin Van Buren as his successor

Jackson recognized Texas on his last day before he left office, in 1837

Remember the Alamo!

Alamo – All Texans died, including Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett William B. Travis, commander at the Alamo who lead the hopeless effort.

Wrote his famous “victory or death” letter as the Alamo was being sieged

Santa Anna’s troops win a number of small skirmishes in the beginning stages of the Texas Revolution, including a total victory at Goliad, executing 300 rebels

Runaway Scrape –

“I am determined to sustain myself

as long as possible and die like a soldier who

never forgets what is due to his honor and that of

his country, victory or death.”

William B. Travis

What does this flag say about the attitude of Texans during their

Revolution?

Swift Victory Texas Declaration of Independence

is modeled after US Declaration and signed on March 2nd 1836

Sam Houston –

Known for being a frontiersman, a drinker and a cowboy

The Runaway Scrape succeeds in stretching out the Mexicans, exposing President Santa Anna at the Battle of Jacinto. He is captured and forced to sign a surrender treaty

Treaty of Velasco –

The Lone Star Republic

The Republic of Texas was established in 1836 after Texas won it’s independence. They also were known as the Lone Star Republic Many Texans wanted to become part of the US, but the slavery issue made

its incorporation a highly political issue Santa Anna invalidated the Treaty of Velasco on the grounds that its was

negotiated unfairly under duress. This hastened the process of annexation

Annexation –

Texas built up reinforcements because it had no idea if or when Mexico would attack again. Texas made treaties with France, Holland, and Belgium. These alliances worried the US for a number of political and economic reasons The Monroe Doctrine (where Europe was told to "stay away") would be

undermined if England had an ally in North America The dominant Southern cotton economy would also be undercut by Texas

cotton shipping to England.

Questions of Annexation

Texas became a leading issue in the presidential campaign of 1844. The Democrats were pro-expansion and were for annexing Texas. Congress debates admitting Texas as biggest slave state in the Union

Slavocracy – The annexation of Texas fanned the flames of conspiracy. A

unified Texas would represent a huge boost in the House of Representatives for slavery, a divided Texas would generate more Senators.

Democrat James K. Polk wins the Presidency, signaling that the people had spoken in favor of Texas annexation. President Tyler signed a resolution during his lame duck session that invited Texas to become the 28th US state

A furious Mexican government begins to prepare for war, seeing the US as dangerous expansionists and conspirators against Mexico

Controversies surrounding the

Annexation of Texas