Manifest Destiny Day 1 Tyler and Texas American History I SRMHS Mr. Hensley
Spanish Settlements Spanish settlements in New Mexico, Texas and California fail to thrive Only about 50,000 Spanish in all of America north of the Rio Grande Natives have obtained firearms and horses now and are dangerous (Apache and Comanche)
Mexican Independence Beginning in early 1800’s, Mexico tries to achieve independence from Spain Resentment against unequal treatment of Creoles (born in Mexico) versus Penisulares (born in Spain) Mexico achieves independence in 1821 Monroe Doctrine in 1823
Santa Fe Trail Mexican independence allows for trade with U.S. (Spain had forbid this – why?) Santa Fe Trail connects Missouri to New Mexico Mexico trades silver, horses and furs for American manufactured goods
Trail Crossed Native Territory
Mexican Territory 1825
Invitation to Texas Texas territory only occupied by 4,000 Mexicans Mexico invites Americans to settle as a buffer to Native threats Americans must become Mexican citizens, give up slavery and convert to Catholicism Stephen Austin is one of the first empresarios
Tensions Build in Texas By 1835, 30,000 Americans live in Texas They ignore Mexican law on slavery (Texas is perfect for cotton) and don’t convert In 1834, General Santa Anna takes over Mexican government In 1835, Americans in Texas revolt
Remember the Alamo! March 1836: Americans are trapped in a mission in San Antonio known as The Alamo Santa Anna surrounds and outnumbers them “No survivors” policy to terrify Americans into surrender This plan backfires….
Battle of San Jacinto A month later (April 1836), the Americans (led by Sam Houston) destroy the Mexican army and capture Santa Anna Houston drew out Santa Anna with a faked retreat then did a surprise attack Mexico is forced to recognize Texas independence
The Lone Star Republic From 1836 until 1845 – Texas is an independent nation Mexico refuses to recognize Texas Borders are in dispute (Nueces vs. Rio Grande) Comanche attacks are relentless and Mexicans try multiple invasions
Annexation Controversy Democrats are in favor of annexation Democrats support westward expansion (“Manifest Destiny’) Whigs fear annexation will lead to war with Mexico Northerners oppose extension of slavery
Martin Van Ruin Jackson’s Specie Act causes the Panic of 1837 Country is in a deep recession throughout Van Buren’s term of office Van Buren blamed for bad economy Spoils system appointees accused of incompetence and corruption
Old Tip and the Election of 1840 Whigs run war hero William Henry Harrison (“Old Tip) and VP John Tyler (from Virginia) Campaign focuses on popularity of Harrison Blames Van Buren for recession Harrison wins! The first Whig President
His Accidency Harrison dies in 1841, after one month in office VP Tyler takes over Tyler not a Whig, he is a Jackson Democrat Tyler vetoes legislation to bring back the Bank of US and strengthen Clay’s American System Tyler is in favor of Texas annexation
Texas Divides the Nation Those in favor of annexation (most Democrats) welcome war with Mexico and see Texas statehood as a way to preserve slavery Those opposed (most Whigs) reject war with Mexico and want to see the expansion of slavery stopped Tyler signs annexation bill in December 1845
Election of 1844 James Polk, Democrat from Tennessee, is a “dark horse” candidate Whigs nominate Henry Clay; Tyler runs as an independent Voting along regional lines – North vs. South Polk runs on Manifest Destiny platform Polk narrowly wins
Review: Tyler and Texas BIG QUESTIONS: How did Texas become a state and why was its statehood controversial? Needing a buffer against hostile Natives, Mexico invited Americans to settle Texas. They soon rebelled and became an independent nation. The annexation of Texas was controversial because it was feared that war with Mexico would result – a war that some welcomed and others opposed. As a slave state, Texas statehood was seen by Southerners as a way of putting many more pro-slavery politicians into Congress. Which is why anti-slavery Northerners were against it.