chapter 17: Texas Revolution and Mexican war

1. How did Whites first end up in Texas (or Tejas)?

the U.S. made a treaty with Spain that they wouldn’t go south of the Red River, but when Mexico gained independence from Spain that no longer applied. In addition, Mexico welcomed white settlers because they could populate, encourage trade, and were a buffer between Apache + Comache invaders.

2. What were the Texians’ principal complaints against Mexico?

• Catholicism became Mexico’s religion, and protestant Christians were mainly there

• Mexico abolished slavery and they wanted to bring slaves into Tejas.

• Governer of Texas and Santa Anna had a lot of friction

Why were other Mexican states also rebelling against the national government around this time?

They were switching from a republic to a dictatorship at the time.

3. Discuss Sam Houston’s role in Texas’ early history.  Explain his roles in:

• 2nd Battle of the Alamo

• Battle of San Jacinto

• Texas Nationhood

2nd Battle of the Alamo

• left part of his army fighting at the Alamo battle.

Battle of San Jacinto

• Snuck up on Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto and destroyed the bridge of the bayou

Texas Nationhood

• Got Santa Anna to sign a treaty on Texas Independence from Mexico

• Cleverly lead the U.S. and Britain on when really he wanted U.S. annexation

4. What were James Polk’s contributions to American expansion?

Polk promised the South Texas for slavery, and the Oregon Territory for the North.

Why did Polk end up being a sectionally-divisive president?

Polk tried to bluff Britain by saying they would fight for the Oregon Territory, but Britain called it, so Polk agreed to half of the territory. However he was completely willing to go to war with Mexico for the territory. Northerners saw this

5. How did Americans end up controlling the Southwest — in both Texas and the areas that became New Mexico, Arizona, and California? 

Did military battles follow on the heels of immigration and economic development or vice-versa?

Americans became the dominant group in these areas anyway so it wasn’t hard for them to gain control of this land. Also the US had solidified it’s claim on Texas.

first immigration and economic development and then military battles

6. Why did the U.S. go to war with Mexico in 1846?

President Polk offered Mexico 30$ million for the upper half of Mexico, and when they refused, Polk framed a conflict to declare war over.

7. Identify the main political supporters and opponents of the Mexican War in the U.S.

Opponents: Abraham Lincoln, John Quincy Adams, Henry David Thoreau

Supporters: Ulysses S. Grant and Congress

Northerners opposed the Mexican War and Southerners supported it.

8. Explain why the U.S. gave back the lower half of Mexico in 1848.

Too many hispanics and they wanted white- anglo saxon people to be part of their country.