Era 6

Overview of Texas History and Governance

Key Terms

• Annexation: Incorporating a territory into another country.

• Cede: Formally giving up ownership of land.

• Cession: Granting land from one country to another.

• Compromise: Agreement where both sides give up something.

• Joint Resolution: Statement passed by both legislative houses with legal force.

• Suffrage: The right to vote.

• Reservation: Land set aside for Native Americans.

• Public Land: Government-owned land.

• Popular Sovereignty: People's right to choose via voting.

• Manifest Destiny: The belief in U.S. expansion to the Pacific Ocean.

Historical Context

• Majority of Slavery in Texas: Predominantly in South and East.

• Leadership Qualities of Sam Houston: General in Texas Revolution, U.S. Senator, negotiator with Native tribes, governor, and president of the Republic of Texas.

• Rejection of Treaty of 1844: Not accepted by the U.S. Senate.

• Voting Rights in Texas Upon Annexation: Restricted to White males and Tejano males.

Geopolitical Issues

• Disputed Area Between Mexico and U.S.: Between Nueces and Rio Grande rivers.

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Ended the Mexican-American War; U.S. gained Southwest territories.

Governance

• First Governor of Texas: James Pinckney Henderson.

• Compromise of 1850: Established California as a free state; Texas received $10 million and Western border set.

• New State Constitution Requirement: Needed for state government formation upon joining the U.S. in 1845.

• Characteristics of Texas Constitution: Separation of powers, three branches of government, modeled similarly to the U.S. Constitution.

Manifest Destiny

• Objective: Expansion from Atlantic to Pacific Ocean.

• Land Control: Initially controlled by Mexico.

• Thomas J. Rusk: Soldier and one of the first Texas senators.

• President Polk's Belief: Strong supporter of Manifest Destiny.

Importance of Separation of Powers

• Definition: Ensures no single governmental branch holds excessive power, maintaining fair governance.