Download - 9.3 - Expansion in Texas
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