Texas Annexation and the Mexican-American War

Manifest Destiny

Belief in U.S. expansion across North America.

John L. O'Sullivan

Coined 'Manifest Destiny' in 1845.

Land Grants

Land offered to Americans for settling Texas.

Catholicism Requirement

Settlers had to convert to Catholicism in Texas.

Tensions and Distrust

Growing suspicion between U.S. and Mexico.

Slavery Ban

Mexico prohibited slavery in its territories.

Santa Anna

Mexican leader who suppressed opposition.

Battle of Gonzalez

First battle of the Texan War for Independence.

The Alamo

Site of a pivotal battle in Texas independence.

San Jacinto River

Location of Texan ambush against Santa Anna.

Treaties of Velasco

Agreements recognizing Texas independence.

Rio Grande River

New southern boundary established by the treaty.

Nueces River

Previous boundary claimed by Mexico.

Annexation

Political appropriation of territory.

Sam Houston

First president of Texas, supported annexation.

American Immigration Ban

Mexico prohibited American settlers in Texas.

Tariffs

Taxes imposed on U.S. imports to Texas.

Protests

Texans resisted Mexican laws and taxes.

Skirmish

Minor conflict between Texan protesters and soldiers.

Militia

Local military force formed by Texans.

Independence Declaration

Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836.

Mexican Troops

Forces that besieged the Alamo.

Execution of POWs

Mexican forces killed captured Texans post-battle.

A.P. Stone

Ohio Democratic Congressmen who supported Texas annexation.

Rio Grande

U.S. claimed southern border of Texas.

James K. Polk

President advocating for Manifest Destiny (1845-1849).

Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!

Polk's slogan for Oregon territory claim.

Disputed Territory

Area claimed by both U.S. and Mexico.

Treaty of Velasco

Agreement recognizing Rio Grande as Texas border.

John Slidell

Sent by Polk to negotiate with Mexico.

Zachary Taylor

General ordered to secure disputed territory.

Declaration of War

Formal announcement of conflict with Mexico on May 13, 1846.

Whigs

Political party opposing the Mexican-American War.

Civil Disobedience

Thoreau's philosophy against unjust government actions.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

1848 treaty ending the Mexican-American War.

Mexican Cession

Land ceded by Mexico, including California and New Mexico.

Henry David Thoreau

Philosopher who protested the war through tax refusal.

Vera Cruz

Site of the first U.S. amphibious landing in 1847.

Robert E. Lee

Captain who participated in capturing Mexico City.

Fiscal Conservatives

Opposed Texas annexation due to financial concerns.

Opposition to War

Criticism of the war as unjust and expansionist.

Political Instability

Mexico's condition affecting Slidell's negotiations.

Blood of Abel

Lincoln's reference to moral implications of war.

Blockade

U.S. strategy to gain access to Mexico in 1846.