Section 3 The Lone Star Republic Texas Faces the World Republic of Texas – independent nation of Texas Capital – Houston Sam Houston elected president (former governor of Tennessee); Mirabeau Lamar – VP New government asked the U.S. to annex Texas in 1837 Members of Congress wanted to annex but President Jackson (and later President Van Buren) was concerned because Texas supported slavery Also, Jackson did not want to go to war with Mexico

American Indians and Tejanos Indian policy changed (became more harsh) in 1838 when Mirabeau Lamar became president Demanded American Indians leave homelands and follow all Texas laws – threatened military action if they refused Houston elected to 2nd term (1841), fighting slowed Texans had already forced most American Indians from their eastern lands

New Immigrants Majority from southern states; most small farmers, did not own slaves Slaveholders attracted because TX constitution made slavery legal Population of enslaved African Americans increased from 5000 (1836) to 70,000(1845) Germans made up largest group of European immigrants to TX Laws had to published in German and English (1843) Established farming communities

Struggles of the Republic Relied on militia companies and Texas Rangers for defense and frontier protection Mexico still considered TX to be its property 1841 – Lamar authorized military attack on Santa Fe in Mexican territory of New Mexico Invasion lacked approval of Texas Congress and failed n

Section 4 Oregon and the Far West The Fur Traders American Fur Company = one of the largest businesses that bought furs from trappers; owned by John Jacob Astor Mountain men adopted American Indian Customs and clothing to survive; often married American Indian women Era of American fur trading in Pacific Northwest lasted a short time Demand for beaver furs fell as fashions changed

Section 5 California and the Southwest Going to California Mexico gave Swiss immigrant John Sutter permission to start a colony in 1839 Sutter’s Fort was located near the Sacramento River and became a popular rest stop for American immigrants

Other Southwestern Trails After Mexico gained its independence in 1821, the Mexican government agreed to allow American merchants to come to New Mexico Seized opportunity by starting the Santa Fe Trail – ran from Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico U.S. government offered traders protection by sending troops and providing money to ensure American Indian cooperation

Frontier Artists George Catlin gave up career as portrait painter in Philadelphia to go west Painted more than 500 images of American Indians