Chapter 12, Section 4 Texas Becomes a State

The “Texas Question” Opponents believed the admission of Texas as a state would benefit southern slaveholders and cause a war with Mexico. Opponents believed the admission of Texas as a state would benefit southern slaveholders and cause a war with Mexico. Supporters argued that thousands of Americans had immigrated to Texas and it already had close ties to the U.S. Supporters argued that thousands of Americans had immigrated to Texas and it already had close ties to the U.S.

Treaty, April 1844 Texas would become a territory of the U.S. Texas would become a territory of the U.S. Texas would give its public lands to the U.S. Texas would give its public lands to the U.S. The U.S. would pay all debts owed by the Republic of Texas. The U.S. would pay all debts owed by the Republic of Texas.

Opposition in Texas Texans had wanted immediate statehood. Texans had wanted immediate statehood. Many Texans did not want Texas to give up its valuable public lands. Many Texans did not want Texas to give up its valuable public lands. Even so, the majority of Texans supported statehood. Even so, the majority of Texans supported statehood.

U.S. Senate Rejects the Treaty Because Texas would be a slave state, the South would have an advantage in the Senate. Because Texas would be a slave state, the South would have an advantage in the Senate. Some senators did not want to anger Mexico. Some senators did not want to anger Mexico. Because 1844 was an election year, some senators wanted to avoid controversy. Because 1844 was an election year, some senators wanted to avoid controversy.

James K. Polk Elected U.S. President Polk supported annexation of Texas. His election showed that most Americans agreed with him. Polk supported annexation of Texas. His election showed that most Americans agreed with him. Polk’s predecessor, John Tyler, had asked Congress to reconsider the “Texas Question”. Polk’s predecessor, John Tyler, had asked Congress to reconsider the “Texas Question”.

Manifest Destiny Most Americans believed that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand to the Pacific Ocean. Most Americans believed that it was the destiny of the U.S. to expand to the Pacific Ocean. Settlers wanted to live on the fertile lands of Oregon, California, and Texas. Settlers wanted to live on the fertile lands of Oregon, California, and Texas. Merchants wanted ports on the Pacific coast where American ships could stop on their way to trade with Asia. Merchants wanted ports on the Pacific coast where American ships could stop on their way to trade with Asia.

Congress and Texas Approve Annexation Supporters of annexation did not have enough votes for the required 2/3 majority needed for the Senate to ratify a treaty. Supporters of annexation did not have enough votes for the required 2/3 majority needed for the Senate to ratify a treaty. Congressional leaders who favored annexation proposed that Texas be annexed by a joint resolution of Congress, requiring only a simple majority in the House of Representatives and Senate. Congressional leaders who favored annexation proposed that Texas be annexed by a joint resolution of Congress, requiring only a simple majority in the House of Representatives and Senate.

Terms of the Annexation Texas could enter the Union as soon as its people approved and wrote a state constitution. Texas could enter the Union as soon as its people approved and wrote a state constitution. Texas could keep its public lands but sell off some of them to pay off its debts. Texas could keep its public lands but sell off some of them to pay off its debts. Texas could be divided into as many a 5 states with the approval of Texas and the United States. Texas could be divided into as many a 5 states with the approval of Texas and the United States.

Texas Becomes a State Anson Jones, the fourth and final President of Texas, called a special session of Congress to consider the terms of annexation. Anson Jones, the fourth and final President of Texas, called a special session of Congress to consider the terms of annexation. The convention backed annexation and wrote the Texas State Constitution of The convention backed annexation and wrote the Texas State Constitution of Anson Jones

Protected slavery Barred women from voting -Supreme Court -District Courts -County Courts Governor – 2 year term Legislature – 2 houses Senate and House of Representatives Texas Constitution of 1845

On Oct. 13, 1845 Texans approved annexation and ratified the Constitution of On Oct. 13, 1845 Texans approved annexation and ratified the Constitution of The U.S. Congress approved the Texas Constitution. The U.S. Congress approved the Texas Constitution. December 29, 1845 Pres. James K. Polk signed the resolution that made Texas a state. December 29, 1845 Pres. James K. Polk signed the resolution that made Texas a state. We’re a state!

Too Little, Too Late – Mexico Offers Recognition Britain, France, and Mexico preferred that Texas remain an independent nation rather than join the U.S. (Why do you think they felt that way?) Britain, France, and Mexico preferred that Texas remain an independent nation rather than join the U.S. (Why do you think they felt that way?) In May, 1845 Mexico offered to recognize the independence of Texas IF it would not join the U.S. In May, 1845 Mexico offered to recognize the independence of Texas IF it would not join the U.S. Texas said, “Forget about it!” and joined the U.S. Texas said, “Forget about it!” and joined the U.S.

“The Republic of Texas is No More” Feb. 19, 1846 Pres. Anson Jones turned over the Texas government to J. Pinckney Henderson, the 1 st governor of the new state of Texas. Feb. 19, 1846 Pres. Anson Jones turned over the Texas government to J. Pinckney Henderson, the 1 st governor of the new state of Texas. J. Pinckney Henderson

“the final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.” “the final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.” With these words the Lone Star flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes was raised. With these words the Lone Star flag was lowered and the Stars and Stripes was raised. Texas officially became the 28th state in the United States of America. Texas officially became the 28th state in the United States of America.

* footnote Because Texas is the only state to have ever been an independent country, the state flag of Texas can fly at the same level as the U.S. flag. Because Texas is the only state to have ever been an independent country, the state flag of Texas can fly at the same level as the U.S. flag. No other state has this honor. No other state has this honor.