Objectives Explain how Texas won independence from Mexico. Analyze the goals of President Polk. Trace the causes and outcome of the Mexican–American War.

Terms and People Stephen Austin – leader of American emigrants who settled in Austin, Texas Antonio López de Santa Anna – charismatic general who seized power of Mexico in 1834 autonomy – independent control over one’s affairs Lone Star Republic – new nation created by Texans in 1835 Alamo – Texas garrison where Santa Anna executed all the defenders following battle in 1836

Terms and People (continued) Sam Houston – Texas army commander, President, territorial governor, and later senator James K. Polk – Southern Democrat and expansionist elected President in 1844 Zachary Taylor – general who led troops at the borderland between Mexico and the U.S. in 1846 Winfield Scott – general who invaded Mexico winning at Vera Cruz in 1847

How did the revolution in Texas lead to war with Mexico? American expansionists sought new territory in the South and West, making conflict with Mexico seem inevitable. The flashpoint for conflict became Texas. The resulting war vastly increased the size of the United States.

American expansionists had their eyes on Texas American expansionists had their eyes on Texas. Only 4,000 Hispanic Tejanos lived there in 1821. Mexico sought to defend and to develop Texas by inviting settlers. They offered inexpensive land on three conditions. Settlers had to: accept Mexican citizenship. worship in the Catholic Church. follow the Mexican Constitution, which did not permit slavery.

American settlers arrived, but tensions grew as Americans ignored the Mexican government. Led by Stephen F. Austin, 30,000 Anglo-Texans outnumbered the Tejanos six-to-one by 1835. Many brought slaves and ignored the Church. In 1834, Antonio López de Santa Anna seized power in Mexico City, seeking greater centralized control. But Texans wanted more autonomy.

In 1835, Texans declared independence for the Lone Star Republic. Santa Anna personally led a siege of Texan forces at the Alamo in San Antonio. After twelve days, he stormed the mission and executed any surviving defenders, including Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett.

Several weeks later, Santa Anna took Goliad and again executed prisoners, in an attempt to frighten Texas into surrender. Instead, Santa Anna created a set of martyrs. “Remember the Alamo,” became the Texans’ rallying cry. Many Southerners were inspired to volunteer and joined the Texans.

Sam Houston led a counter-attack Sam Houston led a counter-attack. At the Battle of San Jacinto, Santa Anna was defeated and taken prisoner. Houston later became president of the Lone Star Republic. After statehood in 1845, Houston served as governor and then as U.S. Senator from Texas.

Fearing execution, Santa Anna signed a treaty expanding the Texas border to the Rio Grande and giving half of New Mexico to the Texans. The Mexican government refused to honor this treaty demanding a return to the original border at the Nuecos River. Fighting would persist for ten years over the disputed borderlands.

In 1844, expansionist James K In 1844, expansionist James K. Polk was elected president on a promise to obtain both Oregon and Texas. In Congress, northern Democrats reluctantly agreed to annex Texas if all of Oregon was also added. Britain did not concede all of the territory. Rather then fight, Polk made a deal to split Oregon and extend the 49th parallel border with Canada to the Pacific Ocean. Northerners felt betrayed.

The United States annexed Texas in 1845, leading to war with Mexico. President Polk claimed all land as far as the Rio Grande, tripling the previous size of Texas. General Zachary Taylor was sent to occupy these border lands. Mexico objected to the granting of statehood to Texas and saw statehood as an invasion of Mexican territory. The United States annexed Texas in 1845, leading to war with Mexico.

When Mexican patrols killed American soldiers, Congress declared war on Mexico. Southern Democrats favored war, while Northern Whigs felt that Polk deliberately provoked Mexico. The war was popular in the United States. Whigs dropped their opposition, fearing they would be labeled disloyal as the Federalists were for opposing the War of 1812.

The United States easily defeated Mexico. The U.S. had many advantages, including greater wealth and a better-equipped military. General Winfield Scott led an overwhelming campaign in Mexico from Veracruz to Chapultepec, forcing Santa Anna to abandon his capital Mexico City and the war.

Map of the Mexican– American War

Section Review QuickTake Quiz Know It, Show It Quiz