Expansion & Texan Independence Mr. Calella American Studies I (Honors) Chapter 12

Homework Quiz Write a one-paragraph essay explaining the Texan war for independence and its implications on the U.S.

Main Idea & Discussion Mexico offered land grants to American settlers, but conflict developed over religion and other cultural differences, and the issue of slavery How can differences in culture cause conflicts? How can differences in religion cause conflict?

What to do with Texas? Mexico achieves independence from Spain (1821) Americans go to settle in N. frontier Mexico (Texas) Why? What drew them? Why did Mexico want them there? Americans pledge loyalty to Mexico, but really held no loyalty to it Catholicism Speak Spanish No slaves (Loophole-forced to sign lifetime work contracts)

Americans go to Texas Influx of US settlers to Texas & Mexico to limit immigration, but cannot enforce By 1830s, American outnumbered Tejanos 4 to 1 Stephen F. Austin: working with the Mexican government, he led the first group of American settlers into Mexican owned Texas to take advantage of the natural resources and agriculture possibilities Ties between Northern Mexico (Texas) and U.S. get stronger with large population of Americans

Texan Independence Santa Anna seizes power in Mexico City and becomes president (wooden leg) Santa Anna suspects plans of rebellion, and is confirmed when Texas asks for more independence from Mexico Why do states seek independence? Austin was later imprisoned for these views and Santa Anna revokes local powers in Texas Why do localities want to keep local gov’t? Texans get upset and begin push for independence

Texan Independence 1836, Santa Anna marches 2000 troops to San Antonio and trap 187 Texans in the Alamo (old Spanish mission) Military mistake? Inflict major casualties upon Mexicans but eventually get inside and kill all men Texas officially declares independence Sam Houston made head of military Battle of Jacinto-“Remember the Alamo”

The Texas Question Santa Anna gives up and Texas becomes independent country Treaty of Valasco Republic of Texas w/ Sam Houston as Pres. 1838, Texas wants to be annexed into U.S. Why do you think? Jackson & Van Buren fail to do so, why? Britain likes independent Texas (Why?); South does not (Why?)

John Tyler as President Harrison nominated by Whigs in 1840 with Tyler (VA) as VP (get South support) Clay not happy he was not picked Harrison dies, Tyler assumes P (“His Accidency”) Henry Clay’s “American System” Infrastructure (What? Why important?) Increased Tariff Renew Bank of the United States Tyler refuses to be Clay’s puppet; he vetoes Bank bill

Tyler (continued) After veto, Tyler’s Whig cabinet resigns (except for Sec. St. Webster) Webster-Ashburton Treaty (Important?) Tyler behaves more like Democrat Tyler tries to start his own party, but fails No party nominates him in 1844 Election

Tyler and Texas Tyler shared South’s concerns over Texas and Britain’s influence there Webster resigns in 1843; replaced with Abel P. Upshaw Upshaw negotiates treaty to annex Texas, but dies before he signs USS Princeton accident Calhoun appointed (Review?); Treaty does not get 2/3s (Why?) 1845-Before Tyler leaves office, he gets Congress to approve treaty by way of joint resolution (simple majority)