Early Statehood Unit 5: Chapter 15

Freedoms and Slavery in the Republic of Texas The establishment of the Republic of Texas was based on freedoms most Texans had when they lived in the United States. This meant that they would not live under a dictatorship (political) and their civil liberties (civil/religious) like speech, religion, press, and assembly would be protected under a constitution. Slavery was legalized, and free slaves had to get an act of Congress to remain legal in Texas.

The Texas Question Throughout the years of the Republic, most Texans still wanted Texas to join the U.S.A. By Houston’s second term, the “Texas Question” became an important issue in American politics. Some Americans were against annexing Texas because it would benefit slave owners and might cause war with Mexico.

Annexation Treaty of 1844 By April 1844, the U.S.A. and Texas signed a treaty that would make Texas a territory of the U.S.A. Texas would also give all its public lands in exchange for the U.S.A. to pay all its debts. Most Texans were surprised when the U.S. Senate rejected the treaty by a vote of 35 to 16. Most senators opposed it because Texas would enter the U.S. as a slave state and give the South an advantage in the Senate (i.e. South > North).

Polk Wins the U.S. Election In the U.S. presidential election of 1844, James K. Polk of the Democratic Party narrowly defeated Henry Clay from the Whig Party. Polk heavily favored annexation of Texas. Polk and most Americans believed the U.S.A. was destined to expand from the Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast—manifest destiny.

How did Texas become a State? (3 steps) First, the U.S. Congress proposed that Texas be annexed by joint resolution, a resolution passed by both houses of Congress that has the force of law and a simple majority of each house (instead of two-thirds majority vote required by the Senate to approve a treaty). Congress passed this on February 28, 1845. The joint resolution provided for immediate statehood, bypassing the time Texas would be a territory.

Mexico Offers Recognition France and Great Britain preferred Texas stay an independent nation, rather than joining the U.S.A. They tried to convince Mexico to recognize Texas so the annexation wouldn’t happen. In May 1845, Mexico offered to recognize Texas on 1 condition – Texas must reject annexation by the USA. Texas rejected the proposal and voted to approve annexation by the U.S.A.

How did Texas become a State? (3 steps) Second, Anson Jones, president of Texas in 1844, called a special session of the Texas Congress to consider and vote for annexation. The Texas congress approved annexation on October 13, 1845. They also wrote a new state constitution. Third, on December 29, 1845, U.S. President Polk signed the resolution that made Texas a state.

“The Republic of Texas is No More!” On February 19, 1846, Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic, turned the government over to J. Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of the state of Texas. The Lone Star flag was lowered, and the Stars and Stripes flag was raised. Texas ceremonially became the 28th state in the United States of America. Anson Jones

Texas Becomes a State

Democratic Political Party By 1850s, political parties had become organized. The Democratic Party, strong in the South, represented farmers and laborers (small business owners). Very popular The party of Southern favorite, former U.S. president Andrew Jackson Later split into 2 groups: Northern and Southern Democrats

Whig & Republican Political Parties The Whig Party represented banking and large business (or commercial) interests, and few Texans supported it because it opposed expanding slavery to new territories and annexation of Texas. Nobody liked the Whigs. So we have the…. Republican Party was anti-slavery and therefore had no support in Texas nor the South.

American “Know Nothing” Political Party Some Texans joined the American Party, or Know-Nothings, whose members tried to keep new immigrants and Catholics from voting or holding public office. Supported slavery Secretive politically…”I Know Nothing!” Nativism—favoring interests of native-born American citizens

No Voice in Politics Women had no rights to vote or participate in politics Slaves and Native Americans had no rights Free African Americans were denied the right to vote and join political parties Filed petitions to remain free Went to court to protect their freedoms

Federal Aid for Reservations To stop the conflicts b/w settlers and Native Americans, the U.S. government placed many Natives on reservations—unsuccessful, Natives… Not given enough land to survive Refused to move onto reservations Many settlers opposed reservation system b/c many raids were made by Natives living on reservations

Mexican-American War Ch. 14, Sect. 2 Essential Question: What were the causes and effects of the Mexican-American War?