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Texas Independence (1836-1845). Texas Declaration of Independence. Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836. Sam Houston (1793-1863). Steven Austin (1793-1836). The Republic of Texas. Remember the Alamo!. Davey Crockett’s Last Stand. The Battle of the Alamo.
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Texas Independence (1836-1845)
Key Figures in Texas Independence, 1836 Sam Houston(1793-1863) Steven Austin(1793-1836)
The Battle of the Alamo General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna Recaptures the Alamo
Overland Immigration to the West • Between 1840 and 1860, more than250,000 people made the trekwestward.
The Doomed Donner Party April, 1846 – April, 1847
The Doomed Donner Party CANNIBALISM ! ! Margaret Patrick John Breen Breen Breen • Of the 83 members of the Donner Party, only 45 survived to get to California! James Reed & Wife
Political Issues • Texas already possessed a large population of southerners – and a significant pop. of slaves --- admitted as slave state • Antislavery leaders opposed to annexation • Mexico never recognized Texas as independent --- considered to be a part of Mexico
Texas & Oregon Enter Union • A. Tyler & Senate --- 1844 Tyler had led a publicity campaign favoring annexation – brought issue before senate – included in his argument Calhoun letter -- Senate did not approve --- annexation • B. Election of 1844 • Democratic Nominees – Henry Clay, Martin Van Buren, James K. Polk --- supported annexation of Texas & Oregon and buying California • Polk Wins the Election of 1844
C. Oregon & Polk – his campaign slogan – 54/40 or fight ---- strong stance on Oregon • Privately Polk agreed to Split the Oregon territory w/ England • Received all of Oregon south of the 49th parallel
The Oregon Dispute: 54’ 40º or Fight! • By the mid-1840s,“Oregon Fever” wasspurred on by thepromise of free land. • The joint British-U. S.occupation ended in1846.
D. Annexation of Texas • Outgoing President Tyler pushed through an annexation bill in 1845 --- succeeded because of simple majority rather than 2/3rds vote – • Mexico broke off diplomatic relations • US & Mexico quarrel over southwestern border of Texas – Nueces River vs Rio Grande
Slidell Rejection --- Polk sends a representative John Slidell to buy the state of Texas --- Herrera new President of Mexico --- refused to meet with Slidell • This ended any chance at negotiation
The Slidell Mission: Nov., 1845 • Mexican recognition of the Rio Grande River as the TX-US border. • US would forgive American citizens’claims against the Mexican govt. • US would purchase the New Mexicoarea for $5,000,000. • US would California at any price. John Slidell
War with Mexico • Polk orders US soldiers under Zachary Taylor to cross the Nueces River – (an invasion of Mexico in the eyes of the Mexican Gov’t) • Polk wanted Mexicans to fire first – • 5/9/46 – Polk addresses congress and states that Mexico has attacked US Soldiers --- “American Blood has been shed on American Soil” – asks congress for declaration of War • Lincoln Questions the President – Spot Resolution
May 13 1846 – S (40-2) H ( 174 -14) in favor of war • STRATEGY • 1. Taylor’s Force would continue south, crossing the Rio Grande near the Gulf of Mexico • 2. Separate Force would march west – capturing Santa Fe and then moving on to California • US Forces would advance on Mexico City
Stephen Kearney • 1846 ordered to march from Leavenworth, Kansas to Santa Fe, NM --- onto California • New Mexico fell without a shot • In California – man named John C. Fremont led Americans in a revolt and declared California a free country in June 1846 --- called the Bear Flag Republic
Zachary Taylor & Company • American Invasion of Mexico lasted – 1year • Generals – Zachary Taylor (Old Rough ad Ready) and Winfield Scott ---(Old Fuss and Feathers) • Captains – Robert E. Lee & Ulysses S. Grant • Matamores • Monterrey • Buena Vista • Vera Cruz – amphibious assault – 200 ships and 10,000 men in less than 5 hours • On to Mexico City – captures Mexico City September 14, 1847 covering 260 miles and not losing a single battle • **Scott had replaced Taylor as general because he would be a potential presidential candidate threat
General Zachary Taylor at Alto Palo “Old Rough and Ready”
General Scott Enters Mexico City “Old Fuss and Feathers”
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo • Mexico ceded 500,000 square miles of land to US – New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, Arizona • Agreed to Rio Grande as the border for Texas • In exchange • US Paid 15 million and agreed to take over 3.25 million dollars in dept owed by Mexico to US citizens
Election of 1848 • Polk was in poor health – decided not to run • Democrat Lewis Cass vs Whig Zachary Taylor ( Martin Van Buren – Free Soil Party)