Events and People Leading to Texas Annexation 2 Column Notes

1. Events and People Leading to Texas Annexation 2 Column Notes

2. Anson Jones Anson Jones became president of Texas in 1844. He took over Texas after Sam Houston’s 2nd term and continued to try to get Texas out of debt. His most important goal during his time in office was to help Texas become annexed (become part of) the United States.

3. John Tyler was president of the United States from 1841-1845. He and other Americans feared that Great Britain was gaining too much influence in Texas and they began working toward the annexation of Texas. In 1844 Tyler sent an annexation treaty to the U.S. Congress for approval. John Tyler

4. Under this treaty, Texas would become a U.S. territory—the first step toward becoming a state. The terms of the treaty said that: • The U.S. would pay Texas’ large debt. • Texas would give all its public lands to the U.S. (federal) government. First Annexation Treaty of Texas to the U.S.

5. The issue of annexing Texas was not popular with everyone in the U.S. People were concerned that: • It might start a war with Mexico. • It would bring another slave state into the U.S. and unbalance Congress. • The treaty was defeated. NO TO TEXAS

6. Manifest Destiny & Jane Cazneau Many Americans came to believe that it was the nation’s manifest destiny to annex Texas. Jane Cazneau was a newspaper columnist who wrote about Texas becoming a part of the U.S. and she helped to turn public opinion in favor of annexation. Manifest Destiny was the belief held by many Americans that the U.S. was meant to expand across North America.

7. US Presidential Election of 1844 The annexation of Texas and manifest destiny became important issues in the U.S. presidential election of 1844. The Democratic Party nominated James K. Polk as their candidate. Polk wanted to annex Texas and expand the U.S. to the west. When he was elected, most Americans believed it was time to annex Texas.

8. While Tyler was still president of the U.S. he asked that both houses of Congress pass a joint resolution-a formal expression of intent-for annexation. A joint resolution requires only a simple majority to pass. A joint resolution is not as hard to pass as a treaty. Joint Resolution to Annex Texas

9. The terms of the joint resolution were more favorable to Texas than the treaty had been. They were: • Texas would enter as a state. • Texans had to approve annexation and write a new constitution. • Texas could keep its public lands but would have to sell some to pay its debt. • Texas had to turn its public property, such as military supplies, over to the U.S. government. Joint Resolution to Annex Texas

10. Texas president Anson Jones presented the offer of annexation from the U.S. to the Texas Congress and called for a Convention to debate the issue. The delegates quickly approved annexation and began to work on a new constitution for Texas as a state. Then it was put to the people of Texas for a vote. Convention of 1845

11. Annexation to the U.S. was approved by Texans for the following reasons: • Most Texans were originally from the U.S. and many still had families living there. • Texas and the U.S. shared strong business ties. • The U.S. would provide military protection and a sound money system. Convention of 1845

12. Texas Becomes the 28th State!