The Annexation of Texas TEXAS JOINS THE UNITED STATES

What is Annexation – a state (Texas) joining the US Secession – a state leaving the US

After Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836, the people of Texas voted for annexation. But the US did not make an offer to annex the Republic of Texas. The American people were divided.

Northerners did not want Texas to be admitted to the Union as a slave state because it would tip the balance of power in Congress toward the south.

However most southerners wanted Texas to join the Union.

Some Americans even feared that annexing Texas would spark a war with Mexico.

Houston and Lamar also disagreed about annexation. Houston favored annexation. Lamar opposed annexation.

The Republic of Texas had begun to establish foreign relations with other countries. Texas was eager to have other nations recognize its status as an independent nation. The US, France, Great Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands all recognized the Republic of Texas. But Mexico still refused.

The Republic of Texas had serious economic problems The Republic of Texas had serious economic problems. It could not balance its budget or pay off its debts. If Texas was annexed by the US, the US would pay Texas’s debts and provide a sound money system.

The US would also provide Texas with a postal system.

The US could also offer military protection The US could also offer military protection. The US military was much bigger and better established. The US military could help with conflicts with Mexico and the Native Americans.

Plus most Texans were originally from the US and many still had families living there. Texas and the US shared strong business connections. Most Texans felt strong ties to the US and wanted to be part of that country again.

In early 1845 Mexico offered to recognize the Republic of Texas only if they promised not to be annexed by any nation. Mexico wanted to prevent US annexation of Texas to block further US expansion.

Texans had a choice: They could accept the Mexican offer, remain independent, and have a secure relationship with their southern neighbor – Mexico. Or they could reject the agreement and try to join the US. What would you choose?

U. S. president John Tyler, a southerner, favored annexation.

In 1844 Tyler sent an annexation treaty to the U. S In 1844 Tyler sent an annexation treaty to the U.S. Senate for approval.

Under the treaty, Texas would become a U. S Under the treaty, Texas would become a U.S. territory – the first step toward becoming a state.

The treaty called for the U.S. to pay the Republic’s large public debt. In exchange, Texas would give all its public lands to the federal government.

Some senators warned that annexing Texas would spark a war with Mexico.

The debate came at a time when many U. S The debate came at a time when many U.S. settlers were moving westward searching for opportunity and economic growth.

Many Americans believed that the U. S Many Americans believed that the U.S. was meant to expand across North America.

The term used to describe this belief was called manifest destiny.

The annexation treaty and manifest destiny became important issues in the U.S. presidential election of 1844.

The political parties held different positions on these issues.

The Democratic Party nominated, or chose as its candidate, James K The Democratic Party nominated, or chose as its candidate, James K. Polk who wanted the U.S. to annex Texas.

Polk won the election over Henry Clay who opposed annexation. James Polk

Before leaving office, Tyler requested that both houses of Congress pass a joint resolution, or formal expression of intent, for annexation. John Tyler

In February 1845 the U.S. Congress passed the joint resolution to annex Texas.

Texas would enter as a state rather than a territory and would have to write a new constitution.

Texas president Anson Jones believed that the final decision should be made by the people of Texas.

The delegates to the Convention of 1845 assembled in Austin on July 4, 1845, and quickly approved annexation.

Texans were proud of being independent, but there were good reasons for joining the U.S.

Many were originally from the U.S. and still had family there. The U.S. would provide the following: 1 military protection 2 reliable money system 3 postal service

Texas joins the U.S. On December 29, 1845, President Polk signed the Texas Admission Act, making Texas the 28th state. James Polk

Anson Jones: The last President of the Republic of Texas James Pinckney Henderson: The first governor of the State of Texas

Cause and Effect The Mexican-American War Objective : Determining the causes of the Mexican American War

U.S.-Mexico Disputes The Annexation of Texas by the U.S. angered the Mexican Government. Mexico never acknowledged Texas as independent and felt the U.S. had no right to take its territory. Mexico also did not acknowledge the Treaty of Velasco which set the southern border of Texas as the Rio Grande.

The loss of Texas will inevitably result in the loss of New Mexico and the Californias. Little by little our territory will be absorbed until only an insignificant part is left to us.... Our national existence... will end like those weak meteors that, from time to time, shine fitfully in the firmament (sky) and disappear. -José Maria Tornel y Mendivil

The U. S. and Texas considered the Rio Grande as the Southern border The U.S. and Texas considered the Rio Grande as the Southern border. For Mexico it was the Nueces Area in Dispute Nueces River 8.6 D  The students will explain the major issues and events of the Mexican War and their impact on the United States Rio Grande River

Why would the Mexican government not accept the treaty of Velasco? Santa Anna only signed the treaty of Velasco because his life was in danger.

Manifest Destiny Another issue with Mexico was Manifest Destiny. The land that the United States desired out west (California especially) was all controlled by Mexico.

The U.S. Perspective Most Americans sympathized with Texas during the Texas revolution and republic days because most Texans were former Americans. As a result of the brutal fighting (at the Alamo, Massacre at Goliad, and other times) the American public developed negative stereotypes against the Mexican people and government Stereotype: A belief that is incorrectly attributed to an entire group of people

Effort to ease the tensions After Texas Annexation, Mexico threatened war. U.S. President James K. Polk sent John Slidell to Mexico to work for better relations between the two countries. John Slidell

Slidell’s Mission 1) Get Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande as the border between Mexico and the United States 2) To forgive about $4.5 million owed to U.S. citizens by Mexico from the Mexican War of Independence 3) To discuss the purchase of the New Mexico and California The Mexican government refused to talk with Slidell which angered the U.S.

Thornton was outnumbered By about 1900 men. Skirmish: A small battle A company of U.S. Calvary commanded by Captain Seth Thornton got into a skirmish with Mexican forces near the Rio Grande. Thornton was ordered to scout an area about twenty miles northwest of what later became Brownsville, Texas. In April 1846, the Calvary, investigated an abandoned hacienda (Ranch). Some two thousand Mexican soldiers were encamped in and around the hacienda, and a firefight occurred. Both sides fought ferociously, but the greatly outnumbered U.S. force was forced to surrender after several hours of skirmishing. The Thornton Affair Thornton was outnumbered By about 1900 men. Skirmish: A small battle

Presidents Polk’s Response President Polk asked for a declaration of war before a joint session of the United States Congress, summing up the need for war by famously stating: "American blood has been shed on American soil". Congress declared war on Mexico, despite protests by the Mexican government that Thornton had crossed the border into Mexican Texas — a border that Mexico claimed as the Nueces River. the ensuing Mexican-American War was waged from 1846-1848 and witnessed the loss of many thousands of lives and nearly half of the territory of Mexico.

Mexican Problems with US. US Problems with Mexico 1) Americans had a negative view of Mexico because of the Texas Revolution 2) Mexico owed the U.S. money for the Mexican Revolution against Spain Mexican Problems with US. 1) Mexico felt that Texas was being stolen from them. 2) Mexico didn’t believe in Manifest Destiny and didn’t want to give away their land.

Vote no-not to Declare War Will expand slavery Vote Yes-Declare War Treaty of Velasco is valid Belief in Manifest Destiny Texas Annexation is legal Vote no-not to Declare War Will expand slavery Manifest Destiny is unfair to Mexico Treaty of Velasco is a sham and not valid Annexation is illegal without Mexico approval.