Texas Independence (1836-1845)

Texas Declaration of Independence

Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836 Sam Houston (1793-1863) Steven Austin (1793-1836)

The Republic of Texas

Remember the Alamo!

Davey Crockett’s Last Stand

General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna Recaptures the Alamo The Battle of the Alamo General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna Recaptures the Alamo

Overland Immigration to the West Between 1840 and 1860, more than 250,000 people made the trek westward.

The Oregon Trail – Albert Bierstadt, 1869

Trails Westward

The Doomed Donner Party April, 1846 – April, 1847

The Doomed Donner Party CANNIBALISM ! ! Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California! James Reed & Wife

WAR WITH MEXICO

Political Issues Texas already possessed a large population of southerners – and a significant pop. of slaves --- admitted as slave state Antislavery leaders opposed to annexation Mexico never recognized Texas as independent --- considered to be a part of Mexico

Texas & Oregon Enter Union A. Tyler & Senate --- 1844 Tyler had led a publicity campaign favoring annexation – brought issue before senate – included in his argument Calhoun letter -- Senate did not approve --- annexation B. Election of 1844 Democratic Nominees – Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk --- supported annexation of Texas & Oregon and buying California Polk Wins the Election of 1844

C. Oregon & Polk – his campaign slogan – 54/40 or fight ---- strong stance on Oregon Privately Polk agreed to Split the Oregon territory w/ England Received all of Oregon south of the 49th parallel

The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight! By the mid-1840s, “Oregon Fever” was spurred on by the promise of free land. The joint British-U. S. occupation ended in 1846.

D. Annexation of Texas Outgoing President Tyler pushed through an annexation bill in 1845 --- succeeded because of simple majority rather than 2/3rds vote – Mexico broke off diplomatic relations US & Mexico quarrel over southwestern border of Texas – Nueces River vs Rio Grande

Slidell Rejection --- Polk sends a representative John Slidell to buy the state of Texas --- Herrera new President of Mexico --- refused to meet with Slidell This ended any chance at negotiation

The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845 Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border. US would forgive American citizens’ claims against the Mexican govt. US would purchase the New Mexico area for $5,000,000. US would California at any price. John Slidell

War with Mexico Polk orders US soldiers under Zachary Taylor to cross the Nueces River – (an invasion of Mexico in the eyes of the Mexican Gov’t) Polk wanted Mexicans to fire first – 5/9/46 – Polk addresses congress and states that Mexico has attacked US Soldiers --- “American Blood has been shed on American Soil” – asks congress for declaration of War Lincoln Questions the President – Spot Resolution

May 13 1846 – S (40-2) H ( 174 -14) in favor of war STRATEGY 1. Taylor’s Force would continue south, crossing the Rio Grande near the Gulf of Mexico 2. Separate Force would march west – capturing Santa Fe and then moving on to California US Forces would advance on Mexico City

Stephen Kearney 1846 ordered to march from Leavenworth, Kansas to Santa Fe, NM --- onto California New Mexico fell without a shot In California – man named John C. Fremont led Americans in a revolt and declared California a free country in June 1846 --- called the Bear Flag Republic

Zachary Taylor & Company American Invasion of Mexico lasted – 1year Generals – Zachary Taylor (Old Rough ad Ready) and Winfield Scott ---(Old Fuss and Feathers) Captains – Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant Matamores Monterrey Buena Vista Vera Cruz – amphibious assault – 200 ships and 10,000 men in less than 5 hours On to Mexico City – captures Mexico City September 14, 1847 covering 260 miles and not losing a single battle **Scott had replaced Taylor as general because he would be a potential presidential candidate threat

General Zachary Taylor at Alto Palo “Old Rough and Ready”

Bombardment of Vera Cruz

General Scott Enters Mexico City “Old Fuss and Feathers”

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico ceded 500,000 square miles of land to US – New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona Agreed to Rio Grande as the border for Texas In exchange US Paid 15 million and agreed to take over 3.25 million dollars in dept owed by Mexico to US citizens

Election of 1848 Polk was in poor health – decided not to run Democrat Lewis Cass vs Whig Zachary Taylor ( Martin Van Buren – Free Soil Party)