1. Texas Joins the United States
Chapter 15
Texas Joins the United States

2. Section 1: The Annexation of Texas
Essential Question: What events and issues led to the annexation of Texas?
Main Ideas
Support for annexation in the United States was divided over the issue of slavery.
Texas became a state in 1845.

3. Cause/Issue Event 1844: 1845: December 29, 1845:
U.S. leaders begin to worry about Great Britain’s influence in Texas.
1844:
1845:
December 29, 1845:
President Tyler sends a Texas annexation treaty to Congress.
Some Americans oppose adding a slave state or fear war with Mexico.
The U.S. Senate rejects the Texas annexation treaty.
Many Americans support manifest destiny, or westward expansion.
James K. Polk, who is pro-expansion, is elected president.
Polk’s victory shows strong American approval for Texas annexation.
The U.S. Congress passes a joint resolution for annexation.
Texans have strong U.S. ties and badly need U.S. military and monetary aid.
Texans approve annexation by large majorities.
President Polk signs the Texas Admission Act. Texas becomes the 28th state.

4. Section 2: Forming a Government
Essential Question: How did the Constitution of 1845 lay the foundation for the new state government?
Main Ideas
The Convention of 1845 created a new state constitution for Texas.
The state constitution set up a new government and established protections for citizens and the government.

5. Branches of Government Voting and Holding Office
TEXAS CONSTITUTION OF 1845
Branches of Government
Voting and Holding Office
Economy
Protections
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
white and Tejano males 21 years of age or older
limited state debt; banned banks
homesteads; women’s property rights

6. Section 3: Political and Economic Issues
Essential Question: What were the positions of the political parties during early Texas statehood?
Main Ideas
Political parties became active in Texas for the first time after annexation.
Texas used its public lands to pay off its remaining debt, to promote education, and to improve life.

7. Political Party Description Texas Support
Democratic Party
Whig Party
Republican Party
Know-Nothing (American) Party
Description
Texas Support
favored farmers and small businesses; popular across South; supported Texas annexation
strong support; dominant party
favored banking and large businesses; opposed Texas annexation; broke apart in mid-1850s over slavery
little support
formed by northern Whigs and others; opposed spread of slavery
little support
formed mid-1850s; supported slavery; opposed immigrants and Catholics in government; faded by 1857
some support

8. Chapter Wrap-Up
How did westward expansion affect the debate in the United States over the annexation of Texas?
How did political parties change politics in Texas?
Why was the public debt an important issue for Texas?