Unit 7 Test Notes
Vocabulary
Annexation—the act of adding or joining a territory to an existing one.
Compromise—an agreement in which each side in a conflict gives up some of what
it wants.
Treaty—an agreement between groups or countries.
Major Era in Texas History
An era is a division of time periods in history defined by characteristics and events
that take place in that particular time period. The Era when Texas was annexed
into the United States is known as Early Statehood. Texas was annexed into the
U.S. on March 1, 1845.
The following characteristics define the Era of Early Statehood:
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Texas was a slave state
The Mexican War occurred after the annexation of Texas
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was signed
The Rio Grande River was determined as the western border of Texas
The Compromise of 1850 helped settle the western boundary issue for Texas
Manifest Destiny—the belief that he expansion of the U.S. throughout the
American Continents was justified and destined to happen.
Events leading to Texas Annexation
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Texas won independence from Mexico
American Texans desired to become part of the U.S.
U.S. desire for Manifest Destiny
The financial struggles of the Republic of Texas after the Texas Revolution
Sam Houston supported annexation of Texas
Important Individuals, Events, and Issues during early Texas statehood
U.S. – Mexican War
 Cause—Mexico claimed the Nueces River as the border between Mexico and
Texas after the Texas Revolution, and the U.S. and Texas claimed that the Rio
Grande was the border between Texas and Mexico.
The war began when Major Jacob Brown led part of General Zachary Taylor’s
army to an area north of the river near Matamoros at present day Brownsville
where a small battle broke out and American blood was shed. This post was
originally known as Fort Texas but was renamed Fort Brown in honor of Major
Brown. This area later became the city of Brownsville.
Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
 This treaty ended the Mexican War
 Mexican Cession—Under this treaty the Southwest is claimed by the U.S.
 Mexico accepts Texas as part of the U.S., and the U.S. paid $15 million to
Mexico as part of this treaty.
 This treaty established the Rio Grande River as the border of Texas.
Population Growth
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Population doubled since annexation
Towns grew into cities—largest city was Galveston
Migration of Americans to Texas
Immigration of Europeans (e.g., Germans to the Hill Country)
Compromise of 1850
 The Texas-New Mexico Boundary Act states that Texas would receive $10
million in return for giving up part of their western and northern territory,
paying off Texas’ debt, and determining the western boundary of the state.
 This agreement was intended to deal with the slavery issue.
Geographic Distributions and Patterns in Texas During the 19th Century
 Early Statehood suggested geographic distributions and patterns
 Where did European immigrants settle and why?
 What proportion of Texans owned slaves?
Most white Texans didn’t own slaves, but they agreed that slavery was
important to the industry of agriculture and to the economy.
Where were they located?
Slaves were mainly needed in agriculture areas. Some immigrants
didn’t agree with the institution of slavery.
Originally, the U.S. did not want to annex Texas in 1837 because they knew
annexation of Texas would start a war with Mexico.
The Era of Early Statehood is best described by the characteristics of defining
borders and expanding the population.
The final outcome of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo was that it ended the Mexican
War.
Many Texans favored annexation to the United States because it allowed the
Republic to pay off its debt.
The Texas-New Mexico Boundary Act that was a part of the Compromise of 1850
awarded $10 million to Texas for territories; it determined the western boundary of
Texas, and it required some Texas territory be given up to the U.S. The one thing
the Boundary Act didn’t do was abolish slavery within Texas borders. Texans were
still allowed to have slaves.
The Events of the Mexican War occurred in the following sequence:
1st Shots were fired by both sides north of the Rio Grande
2nd The United States declared war on Mexico
3rd Thousands of Texans volunteered to serve during the war, and
4th General Zachary Taylor defeated Santa Anna
In Texas, slave ownership occurred mainly in the southern and eastern portions of
the state.
The issue that most influenced voting for annexation of Texas in 1845 was the
expansion of slavery.
The Texas Revolution allowed Texas to become the Republic of Texas just as
Annexation of Texas allowed Texas to become the State of Texas
The main event that caused the Mexican War was the dispute about the Border
between Texas/U.S. and Mexico. The final outcome of the Mexican war was that
the Rio Grande became the official Border between Texas/U.S. and Mexico.
The main thing that prompted President Polk to finally favor admitting Texas into
the U.S. was his belief in Manifest Destiny. The U.S. wanted to expand to the
Pacific Ocean to the west and annexing Texas was a step in that direction.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo allowed the United States to gain control of all the
land west of the Rio Grande to the Pacific Ocean. This included all the land between
Texas and the Pacific Ocean including California.
Two important cities at the time of annexation of Texas two important cities were
Houston and Galveston.
Many German and European immigrants settled in the Central Region of Texas.