A New Western Border

1. A New Western Border Chapter 12.3

2. Texas-New Mexico Border • The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo created a dispute over Texas’ western border. • Texans felt their border should end where the Rio Grande does: Colorado. • This would place half of New Mexico in Texas.

3. El Paso • In 1847, Texas’ government tried to strengthen its claims to New Mexico by creating counties that included Santa Fe & El Paso. • Texas was only able to convince the people of El Paso to agree to become part of Texas.

4. Issue of Slavery • The dispute over how far Texas extended to the West added to the controversy over slavery. • Because Texas was a slave state, many Americans wanted to limit its state borders.

5. Senator Henry Clay • U.S. Senator Henry Clay offered a compromise that proposed the immediate admission of California to the U.S. as a free state (a state where slavery is illegal).

6. New Mexico & Utah • He also proposed the organization of the New Mexico & Utah territories. They would decide on the slavery question on their own.

7. Fugitive Slave Law • The slave trade in Washington, D.C. would also be abolished & the Fugitive Slave Law would be enacted. • This law required Americans to help policemen in capturing runaway slaves in order to be returned to their owners.

8. The “Texas Question” • Henry Clay called for Texas to give up 40% of its Western land in return for $10 million. • This would help Texas pay the debt still owed from the Texas Revolution & Lamar’s presidency ($7 million).

9. Compromise of 1850 • The U.S. Congress passed the Compromise of 1850. • California became a state, New Mexico & Utah became territories, the slave trade was ended in Washington, D.C. & the South received its Fugitive Slave Law. • Texas received $10 million & accepted the borders we still have today.