Texas and the
Mexican-American
War
CHAPTER 5, SECTION 2
Texas Wins Independence


Texas was the most likely portion of the
Mexican nation to be taken over by the U.S.
and the U.S. wanted to acquire it.

Abundant, fertile land

Closest to the U.S.

Very small population
Mexico attempted to secure Texas by inviting
in American settlers by giving them cheap
land. In return, U.S. settlers had to

Become Mexican citizens

Worship as Roman-Catholic

Accept the Mexican Constitution
Texas Wins Independence
 Led
by Stephen Austin, U.S. settlers began to
populate Texas.
 Conflict
grew when Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
took over as the leader of Mexico. He favored an
authoritarian government led by the military.
 Those
in Texas did not view Santa Anna as their
leader.
 In
1835, the people of Texas revolted and in 1836
they declared themselves the Lone Star Republic.
Santa Anna’s Response

Santa Anna led his military to fight the Texans and a 12-day battle
took place at the Alamo.
 After
taking the fort, Santa Anna had the survivors slaughtered.
 The
fighters were hailed as martyrs and the rallying cry
“Remember the Alamo” inspired Texans to keep fighting.

Sam Houston led the retaliation attack against Santa Anna,
capturing him at the Battle of San Jacinto.
 Santa
Anna negotiated a treaty with Texas, extending Texas’
land claims to the Rio Grande, and even parts of New Mexico.
 The
Mexican government did not recognize the treaty.
Americans Debate Expansion

Sam Houston became the president of Texas and wanted
the U.S to annex (take control of) the Republic.

To gain the presidency, James K. Polk promised to
acquire both Texas (for the South) and the Oregon
Territory (shared by U.S. and Britain) up to the 54th
parallel (for Northerners)
 However,
once Texas was annexed, Polk backed down
and negotiated splitting the Oregon Territory with
Britain at the 49th parallel.
 The
parallel acts as the current border between the
U.S. and Canada.
Northerners wanted
the territory up to
the 54th parallel,
starting the rallying
cry “54’40 or Fight!”
How the War Starts
 When
Texas was annexed, the disputed western
border became an issue.
 Texans
believed the border to be the Rio Grande River.
The Mexican government believed it to only extend to
the Nueces River.
 Zachary
Taylor was sent to occupy the disputed
territory between the two rivers.
 Before
long, American and Mexican troops met in
conflict, and the war began.
Remember that
Santa Anna had
negotiated to
have the border
be the Rio
Grande.
The Mexican
government
recognized the
border as the
Nueces River.
The Mexican-American War
 Congress
unanimously declared war in 1846.
 The
war lasted barely 1.5 years because the U.S. had
numerous advantages over Mexico.
 Larger,
 Greater
wealthier and more populous;
war supply production;
 Renowned
officers (Lee, Grant and Sherman were all jr.
officers)
 Larger,
 Mexico
better-equipped navy;
is divided over Santa Anna’s resumption of his
dictatorship.