Independence for Texas and War with Mexico. Mexico Becomes Independent In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain after a decade of fighting. Mexico.

Independence for Texas and

War with Mexico

Independence for Texas and

War with Mexico

Mexico Becomes IndependentMexico Becomes Independent

In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain after a decade of fighting. Mexico had been under the control of Spain since 1521.

In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain after a decade of fighting. Mexico had been under the control of Spain since 1521.

Mexico Grants LandMexico Grants Land

• American settlers like Stephen Austin were granted huge tracts of land in a remote part of Mexico called Texas

• Austin recruited families to move to Texas; they had to agree to become Mexican citizens, learn Spanish, join the Catholic church, and follow Mexican law (including a ban on slavery)

• Recruiters, like Austin, were called empresarios

• By 1830, 25,000 Americans lived in Texas; tensions began to rise

• American settlers like Stephen Austin were granted huge tracts of land in a remote part of Mexico called Texas

• Austin recruited families to move to Texas; they had to agree to become Mexican citizens, learn Spanish, join the Catholic church, and follow Mexican law (including a ban on slavery)

• Recruiters, like Austin, were called empresarios

• By 1830, 25,000 Americans lived in Texas; tensions began to rise

Stephen Austin

Growing TensionGrowing Tension

• By 1830 Americans in Texas far outnumbered Mexicans

• Few American colonists adopted Mexico’s laws or ways

• 1830 decree issued that stopped all immigration from the USA to Mexico

• General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico in 1833

• By 1830 Americans in Texas far outnumbered Mexicans

• Few American colonists adopted Mexico’s laws or ways

• 1830 decree issued that stopped all immigration from the USA to Mexico

• General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico in 1833

Texans Revolt!Texans Revolt!

• Austin met with Santa Anna

• Santa Anna jailed Austin for two years

• After Austin’s release, Texans rose up in revolt in 1835

• Mexican and Texan troops clashed

• By mid 1835, Mexican troops occupied San Antonio

• Austin met with Santa Anna

• Santa Anna jailed Austin for two years

• After Austin’s release, Texans rose up in revolt in 1835

• Mexican and Texan troops clashed

• By mid 1835, Mexican troops occupied San Antonio General Santa Anna

The Texan War for IndependenceThe Texan War for Independence

On March 2, 1836,representatives from allover Texas declaredthe Mexican provinceof Texas to be a freeand independentrepublic.

On March 2, 1836,representatives from allover Texas declaredthe Mexican provinceof Texas to be a freeand independentrepublic.

Texan War for IndependenceTexan War for Independence

Battle at the Alamo

180 American soldiers against several thousand soldiers under Santa Anna’s command

Texan War for IndependenceTexan War for Independence

Remember the Alamo!Remember the Alamo!

• All (most?) Americans killed

•The people of Texas/Americans outraged

The Republic of TexasThe Republic of Texas• Santa Anna was captured in

April 1836

• Texas became an independent nation

• Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas

• Mexico did not recognize Texas’ independence

• Santa Anna was captured in April 1836

• Texas became an independent nation

• Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas

• Mexico did not recognize Texas’ independence

Sam Houston

The Republic of TexasThe Republic of Texas• The Republic of Texas

was an independent country from 1836-1845

• People in the U.S. were divided over whether to add Texas to the United States

• If added, should the state be free or slave?

• Van Buren and Harrison avoided the issue

• The Republic of Texas was an independent country from 1836-1845

• People in the U.S. were divided over whether to add Texas to the United States

• If added, should the state be free or slave?

• Van Buren and Harrison avoided the issue

Should Texas be a State?“YES!”

Should Texas be a State?“YES!”

“…in all aspects, the annexation of Texas to the United States promises to enlarge the circle of free institutions, and is essential to the United States, particularly as lessening the probabilities of future collision with foreign powers, and giving them greater efficiency in spreading the blessings of peace.”

-Letter of Andrew Jackson, Feb. 12, 1843

“…in all aspects, the annexation of Texas to the United States promises to enlarge the circle of free institutions, and is essential to the United States, particularly as lessening the probabilities of future collision with foreign powers, and giving them greater efficiency in spreading the blessings of peace.”

-Letter of Andrew Jackson, Feb. 12, 1843

Should Texas be a State?“NO!”

Should Texas be a State?“NO!”

“…all this mass of horrors involved in the domestic slave trade, is certain to be extended and prolonged by the Annexation of Texas. Let me not be told that it is a rich country, a great acquisition; all this weighs nothing with me against the insuperable moral objection. If its plains were paved with gold and its mountains were studded all over with diamond-rocks, I would not take it…”

-Pamphlet by Orville Dewey 1844

“…all this mass of horrors involved in the domestic slave trade, is certain to be extended and prolonged by the Annexation of Texas. Let me not be told that it is a rich country, a great acquisition; all this weighs nothing with me against the insuperable moral objection. If its plains were paved with gold and its mountains were studded all over with diamond-rocks, I would not take it…”

-Pamphlet by Orville Dewey 1844

James PolkJames Polk

• James Polk was elected to the presidency of the U.S. in 1844

• He was a strong believer in “manifest destiny”

• He was eager to acquire Texas (and California) by any means

• James Polk was elected to the presidency of the U.S. in 1844

• He was a strong believer in “manifest destiny”

• He was eager to acquire Texas (and California) by any means

James Polk

Polk and Manifest DestinyPolk and Manifest Destiny

• Polk negotiated with Great Britain concerning Oregon

• In 1846, the border is extended to the Pacific Coast

• Polk negotiated with Great Britain concerning Oregon

• In 1846, the border is extended to the Pacific Coast

Texas is Annexed into the USATexas is Annexed into the USA

• Congress votes to annex Texas in December, 1845

• On December 29, 1845, Texas becomes the 28th state

• To the Mexican government, annexation of Texas was an act of war

• Congress votes to annex Texas in December, 1845

• On December 29, 1845, Texas becomes the 28th state

• To the Mexican government, annexation of Texas was an act of war

Political cartoon fromNew Orleans paper

1844

Texas said border was Rio Grande R.

Mexico said border was Nueces R.

Clash on the BorderClash on the Border

Clash on the BorderClash on the Border

• Mexico said it would fight to defend its claim

• When peaceful means did not work, Polk forced the issue -- he stationed troops on the Rio Grande

• On April 24, 1846 Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and fired on American troops; sixteen American soldiers were killed/wounded

• Mexico said it would fight to defend its claim

• When peaceful means did not work, Polk forced the issue -- he stationed troops on the Rio Grande

• On April 24, 1846 Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and fired on American troops; sixteen American soldiers were killed/wounded

What Do You Think?What Do You Think?

Was Polk’s action justified?

•Think about your answer

•When directed, share with your partner/table

Was Polk’s action justified?

•Think about your answer

•When directed, share with your partner/table

Polk Asks Congress to Declare WarPolk Asks Congress to Declare War

“The Mexican Government … after a long-continued series of menaces have at last invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.”

James Polk From speech asking Congress to declare war May 11, 1846

(Congress declared war two days later)

“The Mexican Government … after a long-continued series of menaces have at last invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.”

James Polk From speech asking Congress to declare war May 11, 1846

(Congress declared war two days later)

War Begins!War Begins!

• Americans had varied reactions

• Most in the Northeast were against the war - they thought it would only add land for more slavery

• Southerners and Westerners supported the war

• Americans had varied reactions

• Most in the Northeast were against the war - they thought it would only add land for more slavery

• Southerners and Westerners supported the war

Mexican ReactionMexican Reaction“The American Governement [sic]

engaged you to fight against a country from which you have received no harm; your companions have after the battle received and shall only receive the contempt of the United States and the scorn of the nations of civilized Europe…”

Letter to American soldiers from Santa Anna

August 15, 1847

“The American Governement [sic] engaged you to fight against a country from which you have received no harm; your companions have after the battle received and shall only receive the contempt of the United States and the scorn of the nations of civilized Europe…”

Letter to American soldiers from Santa Anna

August 15, 1847

The Mexican-American WarThe Mexican-American War

• The U.S. strategy was two-fold.

• One part of the army would occupy New Mexico and then continue west to California.

• Another part of the army would invade Mexico.

• The U.S. strategy was two-fold.

• One part of the army would occupy New Mexico and then continue west to California.

• Another part of the army would invade Mexico.

The Mexican-American WarThe Mexican-American War• New Mexico fell to the

Americans without firing a shot

• Rebel Americans declared California’s independence and called it the “Bear Flag Republic”

• U.S. forces joined with the rebels in California

• California was under American control by January, 1847

• New Mexico fell to the Americans without firing a shot

• Rebel Americans declared California’s independence and called it the “Bear Flag Republic”

• U.S. forces joined with the rebels in California

• California was under American control by January, 1847

The Mexican-American WarThe Mexican-American War

Bombing Veracruz, MexicoVeracuz Captured After a Three-Week Siege

The Mexican-American WarThe Mexican-American War

U.S. General Scott Conquers Mexico CitySeptember 13, 1847

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

In February, 1848

the United States

and Mexico signed

the Treaty of

Guadalupe Hidalgo

In February, 1848

the United States

and Mexico signed

the Treaty of

Guadalupe Hidalgo

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • Mexico agreed to give up Texas; Rio Grande is the

now the border

• Mexico ceded the vast region known as the Mexican Cession upper California and New Mexico. This area includes the present-day Arizona and New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada

• The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and protect the Mexicans living in Texas and the Mexican Cession

• Mexico agreed to give up Texas; Rio Grande is the now the border

• Mexico ceded the vast region known as the Mexican Cession upper California and New Mexico. This area includes the present-day Arizona and New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada

• The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and protect the Mexicans living in Texas and the Mexican Cession

Effects of the WarEffects of the War

POSITIVE EFFECTS• Americans gain a huge

area of land• Gold is discovered• More Americans move

west• Americans adopt words,

foods, laws, technology, and architecture from Mexican culture

POSITIVE EFFECTS• Americans gain a huge

area of land• Gold is discovered• More Americans move

west• Americans adopt words,

foods, laws, technology, and architecture from Mexican culture

NEGATIVE EFFECTS• Mexicans were furious• Mexico lost a lot of land –

half of its territory• The conflict over

slavery’s expansion got worse

• Mexicans in the U.S. faced discrimination

NEGATIVE EFFECTS• Mexicans were furious• Mexico lost a lot of land –

half of its territory• The conflict over

slavery’s expansion got worse

• Mexicans in the U.S. faced discrimination

By 1853, “manifest destiny” is fulfilled. The U.S. expands “from sea to shining sea.”

By 1853, “manifest destiny” is fulfilled. The U.S. expands “from sea to shining sea.”

USA paid Mexico 10 million dollars for southern edge of Arizona and New Mexico•This is known as the Gadsden Purchase•USA mainland reaches its present size by 1853

Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867

How much do you think a state is worth? On March 30, 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.

At the time, critics thought Seward was crazy and called the deal "Seward's folly." Seward was laughed at for his willingness to spend so much on "Seward's icebox" and Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden."

Seward, Alaska 1915

Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867

But Seward had wanted to buy Alaska for a long time. Alaska is so large that the addition of this land would increase the size of the U.S. by nearly 20 percent. Russia had established a presence in Alaska in the early 18th century and offered to sell it to the United States during President James Buchanan's administration. But the Civil War stalled negotiations. After the war, it was not easy for Seward to convince the Senate that Alaska would be an important addition to the United States. The Senate ratified the treaty that approved the purchase by just one vote. Was buying Alaska a good move?

Ultimately, buying Alaska proved to be a very good move. Major discoveries of gold were made there in the 1880s and 1890s. These discoveries brought attention and people to Alaska.

Today, petroleum transported across the state through a pipeline is Alaska's richest mineral resource. Do you know when Alaska became a state?

Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867

Independence Mine, Alaska

Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867

In 1946, Alaskans approved statehood and adopted a constitution in 1955. On January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower announced Alaska's entrance into the Union as the 49th state. How much do you think Alaska, the nation's largest state, would be worth today?

What cost $7.2 million in 1867 would cost $100,810,632.96 in 2007.

Hawaii Becomes our 50th State How did Hawaii become a U.S. state? Long before surfing movies were made about Oahu's north shore, Hawaii's earliest inhabitants were Polynesian voyagers, living there for more than 1,000 years before European explorers visited. The English explorer Captain James Cook called them the Sandwich Islands in 1778 for the English Earl of Sandwich. Thankfully, that name didn't stick.

1837

Hawaii Becomes our 50th State

In 1820, New England missionaries arrived and began to "westernize" the islands. In 1840, Britain, France, and the United States recognized Hawaii as an independent kingdom, headed by King Kamehameha III. Yet Britain and France wanted to control the islands, and thus Kamehameha III placed Hawaii under U.S. protection in 1875. In 1887, the United States was granted permission to establish a naval base in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. Later, U.S. sugar interests encouraged the overthrow of the king and Hawaii was established as a republic in 1893. U.S. domination of the islands came five years later, when the United States annexed Hawaii and it became a U.S. territory in 1900.

Hawaii Becomes our 50th State

Under increasing U.S. influence, the population of Hawaii grew and its economy grew as well, as the islands increased sugar and pineapple production to satisfy the U.S. mainland. Hawaii's importance as a military outpost became critical when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This brought the United States as well as Hawaii into World War II. Following the war's end in 1945, the state took a long journey toward statehood. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was admitted to the union as our 50th state. Mark Twain once called Hawaii "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies in any ocean."

This statue of Kamehameha

the Great stands in the

U.S. Capitol in Washington,

D.C.