The Texas Revolution (Sec. 2)

Main idea:– Conflicts between

American settlers and the government of Mexico led Texas to revolt and win independence from Mexico in 1836.

Changes in Spanish Texas

Key Question: How did American settlers cause problems in Texas?

Tejas – present day Texas– Lush forests– Plains– Rich soil

People of Spanishheritage were calledTejanos

American Settlers in Texas Empresarios

– Spanish government granted these people land in Tejas

– People who agreed to find settlers for the land

Stephen F. Austin– American Dream was to

establish a colony in Spanish Texas

Rising Tensions in Texas Americans resented Mexican laws Some of these laws included:

– Settlers to become members of the Roman Catholic Church

– Pay taxes to Mexican government– Slavery was outlawed– Closed its borders to new American

settlers American settlers were unwilling to

adapt to these laws.What does this lead to?

Texas Revolution Key Question: What

events led to Texas’ independence from Mexico?

Primary Cause: Differences over citizenship, policies, and laws set forth by the Mexican President Santa Anna

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna(Mexican President)

War Begins Texans wanted to be a

self-governing state within Mexico

Santa Anna jailed Steven Austin for almost a year for advocating Texas independence

Texans declare independence (March of 1836) and place Sam Houston in charge of the Army

Sam Houston(Texas Army)

Battle of The AlamoBattle of The Alamo Battle of the Alamo (along

Mexican Supply route)– Americans HEAVILY

outnumbered- Led by William Travis, Former Congressman Davy Crockett and Frontiersman Jim Bowie

– Texans held off the Mexican Army for almost two weeks

– Mexican Victory– Almost all died in the fight and

the survivors were executed– Bought valuable time for

Houston to gather and army

The Alamo

Victory at San Jacinto “Remember

the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!” (Goliad was similar to the Alamo) – this became the battle cry

In just 18 minutes, the Texans led by Sam Houston killed more than half of the Mexican army.Significance: Texas became an independent nation

Texas Revolution Map

Republic of Texas Nicknamed the Lone Star

Republic Sam Houston elected

president Texas asked Congress to

annex Texas to the Union

Congress voted against annexation-it would have thrown off the Free/Slave balance in the Congress

Lone Star Republic flag

The War with Mexico (Sec. 3)

Main Idea: Victory in a war with Mexico allowed Americans to expand the nation across the continent.

President James K. Polk– Governor of Tennessee– “Dark Horse” in 1844 election– 11th president of the U.S.– Committed to national

expansion

Americans Support Manifest Destiny

This was bound to happen – even if it meant pushing Mexicans and Native Americans out of the way

Many Americans felt it was fate or “God’s plan” to expand the U.S. across the continent from ocean to ocean

Primary Source Quote

“Our manifest destiny [is] to overspread the continent allotted [given] by

Providence [God] for the free development of our yearly multiplying

millions.”

- John O’Sullivan, the Annals of America, Vol 7

“Fifty-four forty or fight!” 54°40’N latitude

was the northern boundary of the shared Oregon Territory

Manifest Destiny became government policy under Polk

Oregon Territory Treaty The United

States and Great Britain agreed to divide Oregon at the 49th parallel.

Today, this line still serves as the border between much of the United States and Canada

Troubles with Mexico In 1845, Congress annexed Texas as a

slave state. This caused an imbalance in the free and

slave states. Mexico still claimed Texas as its own and

would not accept payment of $30 Million Mexico viewed this annexation as an act

of war. Mexicans and Texans had border disputes

(Rio Grande River and Nueces River)

The War with Mexico

Polk sent General Zachary Taylor led troops into the disputed territory hoping to cause war. Mexico attacks.

General Stephen Kearny captured New Mexico without firing a shot by taking his troops down the Santa Fe trail and occupying Santa Fe (the capitol of “New Mexico”

The Republic of California Bear Flag Revolt

– General John C. Frémont led American rebels.

– They easily defeated the few Mexican troops declared independence from Mexico.

– California Republic formed in June 1846

The Fighting in Mexico General (and future

President) Taylor’s troops (4,800) defeated Santa Anna’s troops (15,000) in Monterrey in northern Mexico

General Winfield Scott defeated the Mexicans at Mexico City 1848 within 6 months of invading Veracruz

He forces the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

“Grand Old Man of the Army”

Impact of Victory Manifest Destiny is complete. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

– Recognized that Texas was part of the U.S.– Agreed to the Rio Grande as the border

between the two nations– Gave up a vast region known as Mexican

cession – including Texas – amounting to almost one-half of present-day Mexico (more than 500,000 sq. mi)

Mexican Cession

Culturally Diverse American settlers and Mexicans

merged and shared culture. Some Mexicans taught new settlers

how to develop the land for farming, ranching and mining.

A rich new culture resulted from the blend of many cultures.

Gadsden Purchase Mexicans sold one

last strip of land to the United States for $10 million.

Now part of New Mexico and Arizona

U.S. wanted this land for a southern transcontinental railroad

Manifest Destiny MapManifest Destiny Map