Texas and Westward Expansion 1820 - 1850

Manifest Destiny

Manifest Destiny John Louis O'Sullivan, 1845 “Clear and unavoidable fate” Fill the land with white Protestant Americans Major political platform of the Democratic Party

U.S. in 1850

Texas 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain Needed to do something with its sparsely populated land in Coahuila y Tejas General Colonization Law Empresario & “League and Labor” Stephen F. Austin Convert to Catholicism No slavery

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Led various coups against the new Mexican government Elected president of Mexico in 1833 Attempted to centralize power in Mexico Immigration to Texas had already been cut off Santa Anna denied Texan requests to form its own Mexican state. Arrested Stephen F. Austin Other issues: customs, tithes, garrison of troops

Texas' Independence Mexico ordered the Texan militia to return a cannon it held in Gonzales Battle of Gonzales – 2 Mexican soldiers died and 1 American. Mexican troops retreated Santa Anna led a Mexican Army north into Texas. Warned Pres. Jackson against US interference. March 2, 1836 Texas declares independence at Washington-on-the- Brazos

The Alamo & Goliad The Battle of the Alamo 13 day siege on the Alamo mission in San Antonio de Bexar ending on March 6, 1836 5,000 Mexican troops against 187 or 257 Texans Jim Bowie, William Travis, Davy Crockett No male survivors... well maybe one The Goliad Massacre James Fannin was supposed to reinforce the Texan troops at the Alamo Fannin's troops were caught in the open at Coleto Creek All prisoners were executed

Battle of San Jacinto Santa Anna then turned his army towards the last Texas forces controlled by Sam Houston “Runaway Scrape,” race to Galveston and Louisiana The Battle of San Jacinto 900 Texans against 1,200 Mexicans Siesta “Remember the Alamo” & “Remember Goliad” 18 minutes, 9 Texans dead & 700 Mexicans dead “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Treaty of Velasco

Lone Star Republic Mexico did not recognize Texas' claim to independence Split between Mirabeau B. Lamar and Sam Houston on annexation to the U.S. What issue kept Texas from entering the United States? Independent republic from 1836 - 1845

Annexation On March 1, 1845 Congress passed and President John Tyler signed a bill annexing Texas to the US James K. Polk took office immediately after on a platform of Manifest Destiny But what was Texas?

Polk Pokes Meanwhile, Polk attempted to purchase modern-day California and New Mexico from Mexico for around $25 million Mexico refused the offer and insisted that the Nueces River was the southern border of Texas Polk sent troops into southern Texas south of the Nueces R. to provoke Mexico and defend Texas Mexican troops attacked a small regiment of US soldiers in 1846 US declares war – Mexican War

Mexican War, 1846 - 1848 Main US troops led by Zachary Taylor Mexican troops led by Santa Anna Unpopular with Whigs and the North Complete US victory, even capturing Mexico City Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Rio Grande became the southern border Gave US CA, NM, AZ, UT, & CO US gave Mexico $15 million

Moving Forward By 1850 the US had acquired much of its present day boundaries Issues over statehood, slavery, and Native Americans Who lived in the West?