let’s examine the following primary documents that
TRANSCRIPT
“So far as I am concerned….I am determined upon immediate annexation of Texas to the United States...Mexico might make a cause of war, and inflict violence upon us. It might be time before proper aid from the United States would be available for our defense against this; such an incident would interrupt our citizens in their peaceful existence…. I have no desire to see war renewed again in Texas, to save Texas from more bloodshed, we must annex ourselves to the United States...”
Document #1 : Sam Houston
“It is impossible to cast a look at the map of the United States and Texas ….and then take into consideration the extraordinary increase of population and growth of the former, and the source from which the later must derive its inhabitants, institutions and laws, without coming to the conclusion that it is their destiny to be united, and of course, that annexation is merely a question of time and mode...It is our destiny to occupy that vast region; to intersect it with roads and canals; to fill it with cities, towns, villages, and farms; to extend over it our religion, customs, constitution and laws; and to present it as a peaceful and splendid addition to the domains of commerce and civilization. It is our policy to increase, by rowing and spreading out into unoccupied regions, assimilating all we incorporate; in a word, to increase by accretion, and not through conquest…” Document #2 John Calhoun
“Without dwelling upon the numerous advantages that would attend the annexation of Texas, in stimulating the industry of the whole country; in opening new markets for the manufacturers of the North and East; in bringing in the waters of the Red River, the Arkansas River, and other streams flowing into the Mississippi... in growing the political power of the United States; in securing safer and more natural boundaries, and avoiding the danger of collisions with foreign power - without dwelling upon these and other considerations, appealing to our interest and pride as a people and a nation it Is sufficient argument to me that our honor and faith require the immediate annexation of Texas to the Union.”
Document #3 : Stephen Douglas
Let’s examine the following primary documents that opposed the annexation of Texas. On the next page you will be required to make connections and provide evidence. Let’s examine the following primary documents that supported the annexation of Texas. On the next page you will be
required to make connections and provide evidence.
Manifest Destiny
Annexation will boost the American economy.
Mexico could declare war on the United
States.
Document #
Document #
Document #
Find one other piece of evidence in this document that gives another reason to why Texas should be annexed.
Find one other piece of evidence in this document that gives another reason to why Texas should be annexed.
Find one other piece of evidence in this document that gives another reason to why Texas should be annexed.
Support for Annexing TexasDirections: Time to make connections with evidence. Use the previous slide to fill out this chart.
Texas and Manifest Destiny. As you recall Texas won its independence from Mexico but there would be drama over the Texas border. Texans saw the Rio Grande River as the border but Mexico felt it was the Nueces River . Texas had also petitioned to be annexed into the United States but was denied because of slavery . In 1844, the annexation of Texas would play a role in the presidential election. James Polk believed in Manifest Destiny while the opposing candidate , Henry Clay did not. Let’s take a look at the candidates take on annexing Texas.
“None can fail to see the danger to our safety and future if Texas remains an independent state or becomes an ally or dependency of some foreign nation more powerful than herself. Is there one among our citizens who would not prefer perpetual peace with Texas to occasional wars, which so often occurs between bordering independent nations”.- James Polk
Polk In Favor Of Annexation
“Annexation and war with Mexico are identical. Now, for one, I certainly am not willing to involve this country in a foreign war for the object of acquiring Texas. I regard all wars as great calamities , to be avoided, if possible , and honorable peace as the wisest and truest policy of this country.- Henry Clay
Clay Opposed Annexation
Answer the following prompt in two sentences: Why did Polk believe annexing Texas would bring peace while Clay felt it would bring war?
The annexation of Texas was a hot topic leading up to the 1844 election. Results were tallied and the winner was James Polk. A month before Polk took office, Texas was officially annexed. Mexico refused to accept the annexation. Acting as Commander in Chief, Polk sent General Taylor to the area between the Rio Grande and Nueces rivers. Polk knew conflict was on the horizon and drafted a declaration of war. May 9th 1846, a skirmish occured between the two and eleven Americans died. Congress quickly declared war on May 13th.
President Polk , winner of the 1844 election. A believer of Manifest Destiny. Polk promised to annex Texas but also the Oregon Territory. It would keep that delicate balance between northern and southern states.
General Taylor would be the first to engage with the Mexican army. After war was declared he would move his troops south marching close to 200 miles. Eventually he would lead his troops to a victory at the Battle of Monterrey.
Colonel Kearny would lead troops from Fort Leavenworth, Missouri towards Santa Fe. By the time he arrived the Mexican troops had fled. Kearny would then head towards California.
While Kearny was headed towards California it would be General Fremont that would lead a uprising against the Mexicans. One June 14, 1846 California declared independence from Mexico in the Bear Flag revolt.
Despite losing territory Mexico was not ready to surrender. Polk assigned General Scott to the campaign of capturing Mexico City. Scott has had ships transport troops to Veracruz. After taking the the port city American troops headed towards Mexico City. On September 14th , Mexico City fell.
There had been a long time dispute between Texas and Mexico over the border. Texas claimed it was the Rio Grande and Mexico, the Nueces River.
Why do you think Mexico wanted the border at the Nueces River?
Answer:
Why do you think Texas wanted the border at the Rio Grande River?
Answer:
Located the following battles with the red circles.
Mexico City MonterreyVeracruz Buena Vista
Congress declared war on May 13th, 1845.
General Scott was in charge of the Battle of Monterrey .
Polk promised to annex both Texas and the Oregon Territory .
Santa Fe is located in California. Veracruz is located on the Pacific Ocean
The Nueces River is north of San Antonio.
Monterrey is located in east Mexico.
Colonel Kearny march ended in San Diego.
El Paso is located on the Rio Grande River
California declared independence in the Bear Flag Revolt.
General Taylor was able to claim an easy victory in Santa Fe.
1.General Kearny led his troops from Kansas in hopes of occupying ___________________
2.__________ and___________ are the two symbols on the Bear Flag.
3._______________Califorina was seized in 1846 by the United States navy.
4.General Taylor will experience a victory in February when he takes on Santa Anna’s troops near a ranch in __________________
5. General Scott and Santa Anna battle inland toward ________________.
Fill in the blanks. Use red to type in your answers.
On February 2, 1848 Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In the treaty Mexico ceded or gave up close to 500,000 square miles of territory to the United States. The land is now the states of California, Utah and Nevada. Also included were parts of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. Mexico had to accept the Rio Grande as the border of Texas. In exchange, the United States paid Mexico $15 million and take over the $3 million in debts Mexico owed American citizens.
In this box create an appropriate tweet of that sums up the Mexican-American War. You can add appropriate/creative hashtags!