15.4 How Did We Get Texas?

Why Was Texas So Valuable? Because it was well suited for cotton growing

Which Americans Came to Texas?

The Mexican government allowed Stephen Austin to start an American colony in Texas as long as he only chose families that were moral and hardworking.

Moses Austin

Stephen F. Austin

Why Was There Tension?

American Complaints Mexican officials All documents in Spanish Mexico outlawed slavery in 1829. Mexico closed Texas to further immigration Tejano complaints:

Many settlers came illegally Had no intention of becoming citizens.

Major Tension

Tejanos

Why Did the Texans Rebel?

Austin went to Mexico to present the dictator, Santa Ana, with the Texans demands to become their own Mexican state. What do you think Santa Ana said to that? Austin was thrown in jail for inciting rebellion. 1835, Texans rise up in revolt. Santa Ana sends 6,000 troops to crush the rebellion.

Versus

Santa Ana

Stephen Austin

Sam Houston

What Happened at the Alamo?

1836, in San Antonio 180 Texans take over an old church. Santa Anas men outnumbered the Texans 10:1. They surrounded the Alamo. What do you think happened? After 12 days of bombardment, the troops stormed the church and killed all 180 men. For this, the Texans were filled with rage.

The Alamo

How Did Texas Win Its Independence?

Sam Houston, commander of Texas Army, lured Santa Ana deep into Texas. Houston launched surprise attack and overran the Mexican army. Santa Ana was captured and ordered all remaining troops out of Texas: Texas wins their independence. So what happens to Texas?
Santa Anas wooden leg that was later kept as a souvenir

To Annex Texas or Not?

Texas (The Lone Star Republic) remained independent for 10 years. Why would the South want to annex Texas? Southerners wanted to add Texas as a slave state, Northerners didnt. Some feared annexation would mean war w/ Mexico. Why would it lead to war? After Polk was elected, congress voted to annex Texas as the 28th state (1845).

Stephen Austin

Jim Bowie

Bowies Knife

Davy Crockett

15.5 What Was the Oregon Country?

Who owned Oregon? Britain and the United States both laid claim to the territory, so they agreed to a joint occupation of Oregon.

Who Discovered Oregon?

Who did discover it? Lewis and Clark discovered Oregon in 1806. Soon after, Jedediah Smith discovered a route through the Rocky Mts. that pioneers could travel. Anybody know the name of this trail?

Lewis and Clark Jedediah Smith

Why Were Pioneers Moving to Oregon?

What do you think brought people out? Exaggerated tales of how awesome Oregon was (trees, farms, sunshine) brought 1,000 pioneers in 1843. Many more followed in the ensuing years.

All of Oregon or Half?

What would be a good compromise? The U.S. took half of the Oregon country. Polk didnt want to risk starting a war with G.B. so he settled on a compromise treaty. G.B. would get the half north of the 49th parallel, U.S. would get the southern half.

The Compromise

15.6 Why Did We Go To War with Mexico?

Whats in Mexico? Why would the U.S. want this territory? Polk wanted to expand the United States from coast to coast. All he needed was the California and New Mexico territory. The Mexican government refused to sell the territory.

Why Did War Break Out?

The annexation of Texas caused tension between the U.S. and Mexico. They couldnt agree on a border. April 1846, Mexican soldiers fired on Americans patrolling the Rio Grande, killing 16 Americans. Whats the problem with that? 2 days later, Congress declared war on Mexico.

How Did We Take Control of California and New Mexico?

Gen. Kearney occupied New Mexico without firing a shot. Freemont led a rebellion against Mexican rule in California. Mexican commander of California was arrested and jailed. Raised the Bear Flag Republic flag. Kearney met up w/ the rebels and California was under American control.

Gen. Kearney

General Winfield Scott

Zach Taylor

Our First Flag

How Did the U.S. Invade Mexico?

Zach Taylor moved south into Mexico w/ 6,000 troops. He was met by General Santa Ana who had 20,000 troops in 1847 in Buena Vista. Santa Ana retreated south. What needs to be captured? Gen. Winfield Scott fought his way to Mexico City, and captured the city.

What was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?

1848, it was the treaty that ended the war. What do you think we got? Mexico agreed to give up Texas and an area known as the Mexican Cession. The U.S. paid Mexico $15 million and agreed to protect the 100,000 Mexicans living in the territory. What do you think was discovered in CA 2 weeks before the treaty was signed?

What was the Gadsden Purchase?

1853, the U.S. wanted a strip of land south of Arizona because Why would we want that? It was perfect for a railroad route. We bought it for $10 million.