Texas: The 28th State

Republic to a State Resolution to annex Texas was signed into law on March 1, 1845, making Texas the 28th state.

Constitutional Convention of 1845 Texas needed a new constitution to become part of the United States. Texas congress adopted a constitution that was closely modeled after other states. July 4, 1845 Delegates met in Austin to discuss the new constitution Jose Antonio Navarro was the only Texas-born delegate. 5 delegates were signers of the TX Declaration of Independence Thomas J. Rusk was elected the President of the convention

The State Constitution of 1845 Modeled after the state of Louisiana and the U.S. Constitution. Also decided to keep some elements of the Republic of Texas. For example: Protected homesteads from being taken to pay debts Did not allow ministers and priests to serve in the legislature Did not allow settlers from other states to continue bringing slaves with them to Texas. Protected the rights of women to own land, one of the first states to give women such a right.

Constitution of 1845 Established three branches of government: Legislative: creates the laws Executive: enforces the laws Judicial: interprets the laws Created the executive offices of governor and lieutenant governor, replacing the Republic’s President and Vice-President. These two officers would hold 2 year terms

Constitution of 1845 Created a legislature made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. House of Representative members: Serve 2 year terms Senators: Serve 4 year terms

Constitution of 1845 Set up a judicial, or court, system Established the Texas Supreme Court as the highest court in the state. Established lower courts to hear other types of court cases. The citizens of Texas elect their judges, unlike the United States were they are chosen by the President.

Election of 1845 Election took place on December 15, 1845 Results James Pinckney Henderson – 1st Governor of TX Albert C. Horton – Lieutenant Governor Thomas J. Rusk – U.S. Senator Sam Houston – U.S. Senator David Kaufman – U.S. Representative Timothy Pillsbury – U.S. Representative John Hemphill – Chief Justice of the TX Supreme Court

Mexico and the U.S. at War

Mexican and U.S. Policy on Texas The admission of Texas to the U.S. created hard feelings in Mexico. Mexico did not recognize the Treaties of Velasco once Texas was admitted into the Union. Mexico warned that is the U.S. admitted Texas, it would mean war!

Tensions Between Mexico and the U.S. The international border between the U.S. and Mexico was set at the Rio Grande. Mexico did not recognize this border. They believed the border was the Nueces River. The U.S. also wanted to acquire the land that is present-day California and the land between TX and the Pacific Ocean.

Manifest Destiny The belief that the U.S. should expand from “sea to shining sea.” The U.S. wanted to claim all the land between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Mexican territory stood in their way! James K. Polk was the President of the U.S. in 1845. John Slidell was sent by President Polk to Mexico to speak with Santa Anna. Slidell offered Mexico money to repay property damage that Mexico had inflicted upon innocent Texans during the Revolution. In return, Mexico would recognize Texas as part of the U.S. and transfer California and the land between Texas and California to the U.S. Mexican officials refused to see Slidell and were extremely offended by this offer.

Dispute in the Northern States Many northern states believed the United States only wanted to expand so slavery would expand as well. They were against the annexation of Texas and was with Mexico because of their objection to slavery.

Fighting Breaks Out President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to place troops along the Nueces River (disputed territory). In response, Mexican General Mariano Arista led his troops to a location just south of the Rio Grande.

Fighting Breaks Out When Mexico refused to discuss matters with John Slidell, President Polk order Taylor to move his troops into the disputed territory, what Mexico believed was theirs! Fighting broke out just north of the Rio Grande and just south of the Nueces River. On April 24, 1846, more than 60 U.S. soldiers clashed with Mexican troops. Both commanders sent letters to their governments claiming they had been fired upon on their own soil!

The War with Mexico General Arista moved his troops north of the Rio Grande and battles took place at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. U.S. claimed victory in both battles. After these two victories, the U.S. Congress declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846. General Taylor marched his troops into Mexico and won battles at Monterrey and Buena Vista. Commander of the U.S. Army was General Winfield Scott. He took command of Taylor’s regular troops and led them even further into Mexico. Took an over water route to Mexico City and landed at Molino Del Rey in September.

War with Mexico General Scott’s troops held off heavy fire outside of Mexico City at Chapultepec. The U.S. eventually took over Mexico City and the Mexican troops fought until the last man was standing!

Texans in the War with Mexico Texans eagerly took part in the war. About 5,000 Texans served in the U.S. Army during the war. Many of the men who fought were Texas Rangers. Served as scouts because they knew the land so well. Became known as los diablos Tejanos, the Devil Texans

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 13,000 of the 80,000 that fought during the war died. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on February 2, 1848, officially ending the Mexican-American War. Mexico agreed that TX was part of the U.S. Surrendered all land between TX and the Pacific Mexican cession included California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. The U.S. paid $15 million in return for Mexico’s land.

A New Western Border 1845-1851

The Texas-New Mexico Border Dispute Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established the Rio Grande River as Texas’s southern border. Texans claimed that the Texas border should extend as far north as the river. New Mexico said otherwise. Uh Oh…Dispute!

Texas Tries to Gain Control of New Mexico Texas tried to gain control of New Mexico through diplomacy and by threat, but those efforts failed. The state legislature created new counties to occupy some of the area of dispute. El Paso was one of those counties, which eventually became our western-most county. The dispute continues…

Disagreements Over Slavery and Territories The United States was dealing with the issue of slavery at this time in history. The states in the union for slavery equaled those that were against it. Many Americans feared that if Texas were to be admitted as the larger territory, it would tip the balance of states for slavery. If Texas were split into two states, Texas and New Mexico, then New Mexico would be against slavery, and the balance would remain. WHAT SHOULD THE U.S. DO???? +

Compromise of 1850 As a result of the Compromise of 1850, Texas gave up some its territory for $10 million. The Texas and New Mexico Act established the boundaries between Texas and New Mexico where they are today. In fact, this Act determined the boundaries of all of Texas as they are today. Texans eventually accepted this agreement because Texas needed the money to settle its debt with the U.S., and to fund other programs for the new state. Dispute settled…for now…