A House Divided: 1840-1861 Study Notes

The chapter titled "A House Divided: 1840-1861" leads into the beginnings of the Civil War.
Key terms: Texas Revolt, War with Mexico, Tejanos, Santa Anna, the Gold Rush, Wilmot Proviso, Free Soil Party.

Tejanos: People of Mexican and Native American ancestry indigenous to Texas.
Key Figures: Santa Anna, the leader of Mexico during this period.

Expansionism: The idea of Manifest Destiny emerges, reinforcing the belief that Americans had a divine mission to settle the continent.
Economic Factors: The economic crisis in the East leads settlers to move westward. In 1845, thousands travel the 2,000 miles to Oregon.
By 1850: Nearly 300,000 people journey to Oregon, sharing territory with Great Britain.

Acquisition of Land: Following Mexico's independence in 1821, Mexico's northern provinces (California, New Mexico, Texas) become significant for American expansion.
American Settlement in Texas: 1820s-1830s
- Texas is settled by Americans, some bringing slaves, while Mexico had outlawed slavery.
- Stephen Austin: Grant given to colonize Texas, leading to a population imbalance.
- Tensions Rise: Increased number of American settlers leads to tensions over autonomy and the prohibition of slavery.
- Rebellion: Texan settlers demand independence; in March 1836, Santa Anna's forces storm the Alamo, killing all defenders.
Texas Independence: Sam Houston's forces defeat Santa Anna, leading to recognition of Texas as an independent republic in 1836.

Presidential Opposition: Both Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren refuse Texas annexation due to concerns over slave state imbalance.
Polk's Presidency: James K. Polk becomes president in 1844 and actively supports the annexation of Texas as pro-southern, pro-slavery land policy.

Preliminary Conflict: With negotiations failing, Polk sends troops to disputed borderlands.
War Declaration: Polk claims American blood has been shed on American soil, leading Congress to declare war.
Major Battles: U.S. forces capture Mexico City, lead to the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), ceding large territories (California, Arizona, New Mexico, etc.) to the U.S.
Residential Changes: The treaty ensures citizenship rights for Mexican nationals in ceded areas but neglects Indigenous rights.

Racial Supremacy: The expansion highlights notions of white supremacy, linking Anglo-Saxon identity to American freedom while marginalizing others.
Citizenship: The inclusion of Mexican nationals is debated, as only Anglo identities are often deemed suitable for citizenship.
Continued Resistance: Both Tejanos and Indigenous populations experience discrimination, violence, and a struggle for rights in the new United States.

Discovery of Gold: Johann Sutter's discovery leads to the California Gold Rush, swelling population in California from a small town to a large, diverse city.
Diverse Migration: Arrival of miners from various backgrounds, including extensive Asian migration.
Discrimination: The state constitution limits rights only to white people, leading to violence against Indigenous people and enforcement of discriminatory laws.

Wilmot Proviso: Proposed legislation aiming to prohibit slavery in acquired territories reigniting sectional tensions.
Formation of the Free Soil Party (1848): Opponents unite to combat slavery's expansion, challenging the two-party system and reflecting growing political division.

The acquisition of land creates a moral and ethical dilemma concerning the propagation of slavery and its effects on Indigenous and non-white populations.
Racial Dynamics: The chapter highlights the creation and implications of racial identities within newly acquired territories and the broader context of American history.

The chapter sets the stage for discussions about compromises surrounding slavery, including the upcoming focus on the Free Soil Party and the Compromise of 1850.
Future learning will build upon these themes of racial dynamics, conflict, and political strife leading up to the Civil War.

Santa Anna: Mexican ruler during Texas independence.
Stephen Austin: Key figure in American settlement of Texas.
James K. Polk: U.S. President who facilitated the annexation of Texas and instigated the Mexican-American War.
Henry David Thoreau: Author of "Civil Disobedience", opposing the Mexican-American War.
Sam Houston: Leader of Texan forces against Santa Anna.

1836: Texas declares independence; storming of the Alamo.
1845: Texas annexation by the U.S. recognized.
1846-1848: Mexican-American War.
1848: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo signed, expanding U.S. territory significantly.