1. Independence for Texas and War with Mexico

2. Mexico Becomes Independent In 1821 Mexico won its independence from Spain after a decade of fighting. Mexico had been under the control of Spain since 1521.

3. Mexico Grants Land American settlers like Stephen Austin were granted huge tracts of land in a remote part of Mexico called Texas Austin recruited families to move to Texas; they had to agree to become Mexican citizens, learn Spanish, join the Catholic church, and follow Mexican law (including a ban on slavery) Recruiters, like Austin, were called empresarios By 1830, 25,000 Americans lived in Texas; tensions began to rise American settlers like Stephen Austin were granted huge tracts of land in a remote part of Mexico called Texas Austin recruited families to move to Texas; they had to agree to become Mexican citizens, learn Spanish, join the Catholic church, and follow Mexican law (including a ban on slavery) Recruiters, like Austin, were called empresarios By 1830, 25,000 Americans lived in Texas; tensions began to rise Stephen Austin

4. Growing Tension By 1830 Americans in Texas far outnumbered Mexicans Few American colonists adopted Mexico’s laws or ways 1830 decree issued that stopped all immigration from the USA to Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico in 1833 By 1830 Americans in Texas far outnumbered Mexicans Few American colonists adopted Mexico’s laws or ways 1830 decree issued that stopped all immigration from the USA to Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico in 1833

5. Texans Revolt! Austin met with Santa Anna Santa Anna jailed Austin for two years After Austin’s release, Texans rose up in revolt in 1835 Mexican and Texan troops clashed By mid 1835, Mexican troops occupied San Antonio Austin met with Santa Anna Santa Anna jailed Austin for two years After Austin’s release, Texans rose up in revolt in 1835 Mexican and Texan troops clashed By mid 1835, Mexican troops occupied San Antonio General Santa Anna

6. The Texan War for Independence On March 2, 1836, representatives from all over Texas declared the Mexican province of Texas to be a free and independent republic. On March 2, 1836, representatives from all over Texas declared the Mexican province of Texas to be a free and independent republic.

7. Texan War for Independence Battle at the Alamo 180 American soldiers against several thousand soldiers under Santa Anna’s command

8. Texan War for Independence Remember the Alamo! All (most?) Americans killed The people of Texas/Americans outraged

10. The Republic of Texas Santa Anna was captured in April 1836 Texas became an independent nation Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas Mexico did not recognize Texas’ independence Santa Anna was captured in April 1836 Texas became an independent nation Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas Mexico did not recognize Texas’ independence Sam Houston

11. The Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas was an independent country from 1836-1845 People in the U.S. were divided over whether to add Texas to the United States If added, should the state be free or slave? Van Buren and Harrison avoided the issue The Republic of Texas was an independent country from 1836-1845 People in the U.S. were divided over whether to add Texas to the United States If added, should the state be free or slave? Van Buren and Harrison avoided the issue

12. Should Texas be a State? “YES!” “…in all aspects, the annexation of Texas to the United States promises to enlarge the circle of free institutions, and is essential to the United States, particularly as lessening the probabilities of future collision with foreign powers, and giving them greater efficiency in spreading the blessings of peace.” -Letter of Andrew Jackson, Feb. 12, 1843 “…in all aspects, the annexation of Texas to the United States promises to enlarge the circle of free institutions, and is essential to the United States, particularly as lessening the probabilities of future collision with foreign powers, and giving them greater efficiency in spreading the blessings of peace.” -Letter of Andrew Jackson, Feb. 12, 1843

13. Should Texas be a State? “NO!” “…all this mass of horrors involved in the domestic slave trade, is certain to be extended and prolonged by the Annexation of Texas. Let me not be told that it is a rich country, a great acquisition; all this weighs nothing with me against the insuperable moral objection. If its plains were paved with gold and its mountains were studded all over with diamond-rocks, I would not take it…” -Pamphlet by Orville Dewey 1844 “…all this mass of horrors involved in the domestic slave trade, is certain to be extended and prolonged by the Annexation of Texas. Let me not be told that it is a rich country, a great acquisition; all this weighs nothing with me against the insuperable moral objection. If its plains were paved with gold and its mountains were studded all over with diamond-rocks, I would not take it…” -Pamphlet by Orville Dewey 1844

14. James Polk James Polk was elected to the presidency of the U.S. in 1844 He was a strong believer in “manifest destiny” He was eager to acquire Texas (and California) by any means James Polk was elected to the presidency of the U.S. in 1844 He was a strong believer in “manifest destiny” He was eager to acquire Texas (and California) by any means James Polk

15. Polk and Manifest Destiny Polk negotiated with Great Britain concerning Oregon In 1846, the border is extended to the Pacific Coast Polk negotiated with Great Britain concerning Oregon In 1846, the border is extended to the Pacific Coast

16. Texas is Annexed into the USA Congress votes to annex Texas in December, 1845 On December 29, 1845, Texas becomes the 28th state To the Mexican government, annexation of Texas was an act of war Congress votes to annex Texas in December, 1845 On December 29, 1845, Texas becomes the 28th state To the Mexican government, annexation of Texas was an act of war Political cartoon from New Orleans paper 1844

17. Texas said border was Rio Grande R. Mexico said border was Nueces R. Clash on the Border

18. Mexico said it would fight to defend its claim When peaceful means did not work, Polk forced the issue -- he stationed troops on the Rio Grande On April 24, 1846 Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and fired on American troops; sixteen American soldiers were killed/wounded Mexico said it would fight to defend its claim When peaceful means did not work, Polk forced the issue -- he stationed troops on the Rio Grande On April 24, 1846 Mexican soldiers crossed the Rio Grande and fired on American troops; sixteen American soldiers were killed/wounded

19. What Do You Think? Was Polk’s action justified? Think about your answer When directed, share with your partner/table Was Polk’s action justified? Think about your answer When directed, share with your partner/table

20. Polk Asks Congress to Declare War “The Mexican Government … after a long-continued series of menaces have at last invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.” James Polk From speech asking Congress to declare war May 11, 1846 (Congress declared war two days later) “The Mexican Government … after a long-continued series of menaces have at last invaded our territory and shed the blood of our fellow-citizens on our own soil.” James Polk From speech asking Congress to declare war May 11, 1846 (Congress declared war two days later)

21. War Begins! Americans had varied reactions Most in the Northeast were against the war - they thought it would only add land for more slavery Southerners and Westerners supported the war Americans had varied reactions Most in the Northeast were against the war - they thought it would only add land for more slavery Southerners and Westerners supported the war

22. Mexican Reaction “The American Governement [sic] engaged you to fight against a country from which you have received no harm; your companions have after the battle received and shall only receive the contempt of the United States and the scorn of the nations of civilized Europe…” Letter to American soldiers from Santa Anna August 15, 1847 “The American Governement [sic] engaged you to fight against a country from which you have received no harm; your companions have after the battle received and shall only receive the contempt of the United States and the scorn of the nations of civilized Europe…” Letter to American soldiers from Santa Anna August 15, 1847

23. The Mexican-American War The U.S. strategy was two-fold. One part of the army would occupy New Mexico and then continue west to California. Another part of the army would invade Mexico. The U.S. strategy was two-fold. One part of the army would occupy New Mexico and then continue west to California. Another part of the army would invade Mexico.

24. The Mexican-American War New Mexico fell to the Americans without firing a shot Rebel Americans declared California’s independence and called it the “Bear Flag Republic” U.S. forces joined with the rebels in California California was under American control by January, 1847 New Mexico fell to the Americans without firing a shot Rebel Americans declared California’s independence and called it the “Bear Flag Republic” U.S. forces joined with the rebels in California California was under American control by January, 1847

25. The Mexican-American War Bombing Veracruz, Mexico Veracuz Captured After a Three-Week Siege

26. The Mexican-American War U.S. General Scott Conquers Mexico City September 13, 1847

27. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo In February, 1848 the United States and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

28. Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Mexico agreed to give up Texas; Rio Grande is the now the border Mexico ceded the vast region known as the Mexican Cession upper California and New Mexico. This area includes the present-day Arizona and New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and protect the Mexicans living in Texas and the Mexican Cession Mexico agreed to give up Texas; Rio Grande is the now the border Mexico ceded the vast region known as the Mexican Cession upper California and New Mexico. This area includes the present-day Arizona and New Mexico and parts of Colorado, Utah, and Nevada The United States agreed to pay Mexico $15 million and protect the Mexicans living in Texas and the Mexican Cession

29. Effects of the War POSITIVE EFFECTS Americans gain a huge area of land Gold is discovered More Americans move west Americans adopt words, foods, laws, technology, and architecture from Mexican culture POSITIVE EFFECTS Americans gain a huge area of land Gold is discovered More Americans move west Americans adopt words, foods, laws, technology, and architecture from Mexican culture NEGATIVE EFFECTS Mexicans were furious Mexico lost a lot of land – half of its territory The conflict over slavery’s expansion got worse Mexicans in the U.S. faced discrimination NEGATIVE EFFECTS Mexicans were furious Mexico lost a lot of land – half of its territory The conflict over slavery’s expansion got worse Mexicans in the U.S. faced discrimination

30. By 1853, “manifest destiny” is fulfilled. The U.S. expands “from sea to shining sea.” USA paid Mexico 10 million dollars for southern edge of Arizona and New Mexico This is known as the Gadsden Purchase USA mainland reaches its present size by 1853

32. Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867 How much do you think a state is worth? On March 30, 1867, Secretary of State William H. Seward agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million. At the time, critics thought Seward was crazy and called the deal "Seward's folly." Seward was laughed at for his willingness to spend so much on "Seward's icebox" and Andrew Johnson's "polar bear garden." Seward, Alaska 1915

33. Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867 But Seward had wanted to buy Alaska for a long time. Alaska is so large that the addition of this land would increase the size of the U.S. by nearly 20 percent. Russia had established a presence in Alaska in the early 18th century and offered to sell it to the United States during President James Buchanan's administration. But the Civil War stalled negotiations. After the war, it was not easy for Seward to convince the Senate that Alaska would be an important addition to the United States. The Senate ratified the treaty that approved the purchase by just one vote. Was buying Alaska a good move?

34. Ultimately, buying Alaska proved to be a very good move. Major discoveries of gold were made there in the 1880s and 1890s. These discoveries brought attention and people to Alaska. Today, petroleum transported across the state through a pipeline is Alaska's richest mineral resource. Do you know when Alaska became a state? Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867 Independence Mine, Alaska

35. Purchase of Alaska March 30, 1867 In 1946, Alaskans approved statehood and adopted a constitution in 1955. On January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower announced Alaska's entrance into the Union as the 49th state. How much do you think Alaska, the nation's largest state, would be worth today? What cost $7.2 million in 1867 would cost $100,810,632.96 in 2007.

36. Hawaii Becomes our 50th State How did Hawaii become a U.S. state? Long before surfing movies were made about Oahu's north shore, Hawaii's earliest inhabitants were Polynesian voyagers, living there for more than 1,000 years before European explorers visited. The English explorer Captain James Cook called them the Sandwich Islands in 1778 for the English Earl of Sandwich. Thankfully, that name didn't stick. 1837

37. Hawaii Becomes our 50th State In 1820, New England missionaries arrived and began to "westernize" the islands. In 1840, Britain, France, and the United States recognized Hawaii as an independent kingdom, headed by King Kamehameha III. Yet Britain and France wanted to control the islands, and thus Kamehameha III placed Hawaii under U.S. protection in 1875. In 1887, the United States was granted permission to establish a naval base in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor. Later, U.S. sugar interests encouraged the overthrow of the king and Hawaii was established as a republic in 1893. U.S. domination of the islands came five years later, when the United States annexed Hawaii and it became a U.S. territory in 1900.

38. Hawaii Becomes our 50th State Under increasing U.S. influence, the population of Hawaii grew and its economy grew as well, as the islands increased sugar and pineapple production to satisfy the U.S. mainland. Hawaii's importance as a military outpost became critical when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This brought the United States as well as Hawaii into World War II. Following the war's end in 1945, the state took a long journey toward statehood. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii was admitted to the union as our 50th state. Mark Twain once called Hawaii "the loveliest fleet of islands that lies in any ocean." This statue of Kamehameha the Great stands in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.