1. Early Statehood – Road to Annexation
Sam Houston and others continued to hope for statehood for Texas
Texas annexation was being debated because of slavery
Slave and non-slave states were balanced
Annexing Texas would mean more pro-slavery Senators and Congressmen
Many in the U.S. were influenced by manifest destiny – the belief that the U.S. was meant to expand all the way to the Pacific Ocean
Quick Speak (1 min) – Would you have supported Texas annexation? Why or why not?

2. Early Statehood – Road to Annexation
This painting is from It was painted by John Gast and is titled, American Progress.
Quick Write (2 min) – Describe what you see. What does the woman in white represent? How does this painting express manifest destiny?

3. Early Statehood – Road to Annexation
Many in the United States were fearful of Texas joining the Union
This poster from 1838 advertises a meeting of Americans against annexation
Read the quote below, then rewrite it in your own words.
“…the ultimate result will be some 18 or 20 more slaveholders in the Senate of the United States…”

4. Early Statehood – Road to Annexation
Ultimately, Texas is annexed despite all the debate
On December 29, 1845 President James K. Polk signed the Texas Admission Act
Texas officially becomes the 28th state
What is different about this flag from 1846?

5. Early Statehood But wait…what’s Sam Houston up to?
From 1846 to 1859 Sam Houston serves as a U.S. senator from the state of Texas
He served as senator during the next battle with Mexico – the Mexican American War

6. Early Statehood – Mexican American War
Mexico was afraid that Texas was only the 1st step towards the U.S. taking more Mexican territory
President Polk sends a delegate to Mexico to negotiate the sale of New Mexico and California to the U.S.
Mexico refused to meet with the delegate
Polk then sends General Zachary Taylor and soldiers to Texas to protect it from potential Mexican attack
Fighting broke out, and the U.S. quickly declared war on Mexico

7. Early Statehood – Mexican American War
Mexico claimed the Nueces River was the US/Mexican border, the US claimed the border was the Rio Grande
The war was won by the US
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war
The Treaty made Mexico give up territory
Mexico had to recognize Texas as part of the US
Mexico also gave up California, Utah and New Mexico Territories
The US paid $15 million for the land

8. Early Statehood – Mexican American War
Check for understanding:
What motivated the conflict between the US and Mexico?
Mexico had invaded Texas
Battles with Native Americans
Disagreement over the border
Mexico invaded Oregon Territory

9. Early Statehood – Compromise of 1850
There were still questions about the western border of Texas and the issue of slavery in the state after the war
Senator Henry Clay (KY) came up with a plan
His plan was a group of five separate bills that addressed slavery in the new territories, and the Texas border
It was called…

10. Early Statehood – Compromise of 1850
The Compromise of 1850
The federal govt. gave TX $10 million to give up land in the west
The current border b/w Texas and New Mexico was established
New Mexico and Utah became territories (would vote on slavery)
California became a state (free)
Federal govt. took on all Texas debt

11. Early Statehood – Compromise of 1850
This 1847 political cartoon depicts Mexico before and after the Mexican-American war.
Think-Pair-Share:(2 min)
How would you describe Mexico’s feelings about the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?