The State of Texas!!!

"... And that claim is by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread and to possess the whole of the continent which Providence has given us for the development of the great experiment of liberty and federated self-government entrusted to us." - John L. O' Sullivan, "Manifest Destiny" editorial, New York Morning News on December 27, 1845

Texas Annexation occurred during this movement. Manifest Destiny was the idea of the U.S. expanding west to the Pacific Ocean. Texas Annexation occurred during this movement. MANIFEST DESTINY During these years of westward expansion, the United States grew considerably. The Annexation of Texas was the first in a series of moves by the U.S. that were designed to extend the country from “sea to shining sea”.

Westward the Course of Empire Takes Its Way

Election of 1844 Democrat James K. Polk ran for President in 1844 calling for Texas Annexation and Manifest Destiny. "...It is confidently believed that our system may be safely extended to the utmost bounds of our territorial limits, and that as it shall be extended the bonds of our Union, so far from being weakened, will become stronger..." From the inaugural address of James K. Polk,  11th President (1845-49) James K. Polk

The Last President of Texas Texas Annexation 1844-1845 Anson Jones was the last President of Texas. He, like Houston, wanted Annexation. He once again petitioned the U.S. for Annexation U.S. president John Tyler, observing the will of the people in the 1844 election to James K. Polk, got Texas Annexation passed through congress as one of his last actions as President. All that was need now was for the Texas congress to approve it. The Last President of Texas Dr. Anson Jones John Tyler, 10th U.S. President

Anson Jones sent the annexation bill to the Texas congress where it passed. New President James K. Polk signed the bill into law. Texas became the 28th state on March 1, 1845

The U.S. grew slowly until the Annexation of Texas in 1845 picked up the pace. MANIFEST DESTINY This became Part of the U.S. in 1783 With the Treaty of Paris Louisiana Purchase in 1803 from France Annexation of Texas -1845 Where’s the Rest of it? From the Adams-Onís Treaty in 1819

Texas Constitution of 1845 When Texas accepted the offer to become a state of the United States, the first task was to form the state government. In 1845 delegates from across Texas met to write a state constitution. Later that year, Texans elected their state officers.

Texas Constitution of 1845 The constitution follows closely to the US Constitution. Kept some parts of the Texas Republic Constitution

Examples: Homestead protection from debtors No ministers or priests to serve in legislature Allowed slaves Protected rights of women to own land Slavery was very important to most Texans Replica of a Texas Homestead

Election of 1845 Anson Jones, called for an election to accept the Constitution of 1845 4,174 voted for it while only 312 were against it. The new state was ready to vote for its leaders. Who would they be?

James Pinckney Henderson was voted first governor of Texas Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston were the first US Senators from Texas

Reasons Americans wanted TX Annexation Manifest Destiny Cotton trade Expansion of Slavery (South) Americans already lived there Reasons Americans did not want TX Annexation Expansion of Slavery (North) War with Mexico Texas Debt Hostile Indians