Texas War for Independence Steps leading to war: Mexico won their independence from Spain in 1821 Wanted trade with the U.S. and encourage U.S. immigration to Texas (a part of Mexico) Stephen Austin leads a group of Americans to TX Main job of Americans = farming cotton By 1835, over 30,000 Americans in TX More Americans = harder for the Mexican government to control them

Texas War for Independence Outbreak of War After Mexico threatens to abolish slavery, Americans in TX declare independence Mexican government strips Americans of their rights and mobilizes an army Mexican troops led by General Santa Anna attack the Alamo Americans try to stall; know they will lose, but fight their hardest

The Alamo The Alamo An old, abandoned mission (site of former Spanish atrocities towards the Mexicans) Americans are forced to surrender Santa Anna gives the order for all Americans remaining to be killed Leads to the battle cry- “Remember the Alamo” One of the most notorious battles in American history Alamo still standing in San Antonio, Texas

Texas War for Independence While Americans are buying time fighting at the Alamo, Sam Houston is able to organize a Texan army He leads the Americans to victory in numerous locations Battle of San Jacinto: with American victory here, Santa Anna is captured and forced to grant TX their independence from Mexico

Aftermath of the War Texas wants to become a state in the U.S. after the war Congress says “no” because Worried Mexico did not really consider the war over Did not want to go to war with Mexico Northern states did not want to add another slave state Texas remains an independent country for over 10 years- known as the “Republic of Texas” and the “Lone Star Republic”

James K. Polk: Expansionist President Ran with the platform of expansion and slogan “54040’ or Fight”- referring to the Oregon Territory When he is elected, he decides it’s a mandate from the people (a mandate is an informal command) He begins to add to the size of the U.S.

Oregon Even though he ran with the slogan “54040’ or Fight,” he ends up peacefully settling the dispute with England Instead of taking all the territory, we split it in half with England…keeping the established border of the 49th parallel

Oregon What the U.S. and Britain agreed on What the U.S. wanted What Britain wanted

Texas He annexes Texans in 1845, making it the 28th state Mexico, as predicted, becomes upset Mexico organizes troops near the Texas/Mexico border Polk sends Zachary Taylor to Texas with American troops In an argument over the “true” border, Taylor claims Mexican troops attacked his men and asks Polk to declare war on Mexico

Mexican War Began as an argument over the annexation of Texas and the border between Texas and Mexico Many Americans (especially those in the South and West) are in favor of the war in order to gain more land At the end of the war, we gain: California, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, etc.

Mexican War Chart Use your textbook to complete the Mind Map provided. You have 30 minutes- use your time wisely. Use both the Red and the Blue books.