Chapter 12 Statehood for Texas 1845-1851 http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html The United States Expands Manifest Destiny http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html Section 1 Texas: The 28th State When Texas accepted the offer to become a state of.

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Transcript Chapter 12 Statehood for Texas 1845-1851 http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html The United States Expands Manifest Destiny http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html Section 1 Texas: The 28th State When Texas accepted the offer to become a state of.

Slide 1

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 2

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 3

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 4

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 5

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 6

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 7

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 8

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 9

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 10

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 11

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 12

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 13

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 14

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 15

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 16

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 17

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 18

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 19

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 20

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 21

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 22

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 23

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 24

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 25

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 26

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 27

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 28

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 29

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 30

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 31

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 32

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 33

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 34

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 35

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 36

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 37

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 38

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 39

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 40

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 41

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 42

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 43

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 44

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 45

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 46

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp


Slide 47

Chapter 12
Statehood for Texas
1845-1851

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states_texas.html

The United States Expands
Manifest Destiny

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

Section 1
Texas: The 28th State
When Texas accepted the offer to become a
state of the United States, the first task
was to form the state government. In
1845, delegates from across Texas met to
write a state constitution. Later that year,
Texans elected their first state officers.

Vocabulary
• Legislature: government body that has power to make or
pass laws
• Executive Branch: part of government that carries out
the laws (US: president, vice
president; State: governor, lieutenant
governor)
• Legislative Branch: part of government that makes the
laws
• Judicial Branch: part of government that interprets and
applies laws (judges, courts)

Vocabulary, con’t
• Governor: highest officer in state
government (like the
president)
• Lieutenant Governor: second highest
officer in state
government (like
the vice president)

Constitutional Convention of
1845
• Texas was annexed by US in 1845
• Texas had to write a constitution (used US Constitution
and Constitutions of other states as examples)
• Delegates met in Austin on July 4, 1845

• Thomas Jefferson Rusk was president of Constitutional
Convention
• Finished writing Texas Constitution on August 28, 1845

Delegates
• Jose Antonio Navarro
– Only Texas born delegate
– Served in Texas Senate
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
– Has a county named after him
• James Power
– Born in Ireland
– Helped write Republic of Texas Constitution
• Most of delegates were from southern states
• 5 delegates had signed Texas Declaration of Independence
• Hiram G. Runnels had helped write Mississippi Constitution

Provisions of the Texas
Constitution of 1845
• Protected homesteads from being taken away to pay
debts
• Did not allow ministers or priests to serve in legislature
• Did allow settlers from other states to continue to bring
slaves with them to Texas
• Women still had right to own land
• Established 3 Branches of Government

Established 3 Branches of
Government
• Executive: highest ranking officers in govt
– Governor
– Lieutenant Governor

• Legislative: makes the laws
– Senate
– House of Representatives
• Judicial: interprets the laws and applies laws in court
system

BRANCHES OF STATE GOVERNMENT

Election of 1845
• After Texas Constitution was passed, first election was
held on December, 1845
• Elected Officials:
– James Pickney Henderson—1st Governor

– Albert C. Horton—1st Lieutenant Governor
– Thomas J. Rusk and Sam Houston—1st Senators

– David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury—1st Members of Texas
House of Representatives
– John Hemphill—chief justice of Supreme Court of Texas

James Pickney Henderson

Thomas J. Rusk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Pinckney_Henderson
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/rusk.htm

Jose Antonio Navarro

http://www.tamu.edu/faculty/ccbn/dewitt/Navarro.htm

Section 2
The United States and Mexico at War

Soon after Texas became a state, war broke out
between Mexico and the United States. Both
countries claimed Texas as part of their nation,
and the United States wanted control of other
territories under Mexican rule.

Mexican and US Policy on
Texas
• Mexico not happy that US annexed Texas
• Mexico still didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Claimed that Santa Anna only signed treaty because his life was
in danger
• During the 10 years that Texas was a Republic, Mexico continued to
think of Texas as belonging to Mexico
• Mexican leaders thought the Texas Revolution had been planned by
the US
• Mexico warned the US that if Texas was annexed, it would mean war

Tensions Between Mexico and
the US
• Border of Texas: Rio Grande
– US accepted that based on Treaties of
Velasco
• Mexico didn’t recognize Treaties of Velasco
– Mexico still claimed all of Texas
– Mexico said that border of Texas was the
Nueces River (not Rio Grande)

Tensions, con’t
• Tensions between US and Mexico not only
about who controlled Texas
• US believed in Manifest Destiny
– US was destined to claim all land to California
and the Pacific Ocean

• Mexico didn’t want to give up Texas and
land in California area

Tensions, con’t
• When US annexed Texas (1845), Mexico threatened war

• US President (James K. Polk) sent John Slidell to Mexico to
try to work things out
– US would pay for damages that US citizens said Mexico caused
(Mexico not have to pay for the damages)
– In return, he asked Mexico to recognize Texas as part of US and to
transfer land between Texas and California to US

• But, Mexican leaders refused to talk to Slidell
– Mexican leaders were offended that US thought Mexico would trade
land for money

Tensions, con’t
• Some citizens of US (in New England)
didn’t want to expand westward
• They thought US was just trying to expand
slavery
• These were the people who were against
the annexation of Texas

Fighting Breaks Out
• US President Polk sent General Zachary
Taylor (aka Old Rough and Ready) to
Neuces River with troops

• Mexican General Mariano Arista led
Mexican troops to Rio Grande
• Shots were fired in April 24,1846 and War
with Mexico declared on May 13, 1846

Texas Voices
Page 273
…Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory and shed American blood upon
American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have
commenced and that the two nations are at war…
In further vindication of our rights and defense of our
territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress to
recognize the existence of war
President James K. Polk
message to Congress, May 11, 1846

The War with Mexico
• General Winfield Scott (Old Fuss and Feathers)
took over General Taylor’s troops
– Made his way to Mexico City
– Invaded Mexico City in Sept, 1847…war
ended there
• Many lives lost…US lost 13,000 men
• War ended with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Texans in the War with
Mexico
• About 5000 Texans fought in War with Mexico
– Texas Governor James P. Henderson fought
– Many still wanted to “Remember the Alamo”
– Many wanted to retaliate against those in Mier
expedition

• Many of the Texans were Texas Rangers
– Very brave and daring; great fighting ability; very valued
and respected fighters
– Mexican term for them was Texas Devils because they
were fierce fighters

Texans in the War with Mexico,
con’t
Texas Rangers, con’t
– Served as scouts for Generals Taylor and
Scott…knew Texas landscape and helped guide
troops into Mexico
– Famous Rangers
• Ben McCulloch, Samuel H. Walker, John S. Ford

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
• Ended War with Mexico

• Signed on February 2, 1848
• Provisions
– Mexico agreed that Texas was now part of US
– Mexico surrendered land between Texas and Pacific
Ocean…California
– This transfer of Land from Mexico to US=Cessation
• Included California, and future states of New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, & Colorado
• In return, US paid Mexico $15 million and paid claims made against
Mexico by Texans

The Gadsden Purchase
• 1853, US bought a long narrow strip of land along border
of New Mexico and Texas
• Purpose: land for a railroad—ended up being the
Southern Transcontinental RR
• James Gadsden from South Carolina convinced US to
pay Santa Anna $10 million (33 cents/acre) for the land
• Became known as the Gadsden Purchase

http://www.learner.org/interactives/historymap/states.html

James K. Polk

John Slidell

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_K._Polk

http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/chron/civilwarnotes/slidell.html

James Gadsden

Mexican General
Mariano Arista
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Gadsden

http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/mariano-arista.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott

http://www.visitingdc.com/president/zachary-taylor-picture.htm

General Zachary Taylor
http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/zachary-taylor.htm

General Winfield Scott
http://www.civilwarhome.com/scottbio.htm

http://www.sonofthesouth.net/mexicanwar/winfield-scott.htm

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/zac
harytaylor

Section 3
A New Western Border
After the war with Mexico, the Rio Grande
was made the southern border of Texas.
However, disagreement arose over
Texas’ western border. This issue,
along with others, was resolved by the
Compromise of 1850.

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute
• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established Rio Grande as
southern border of Texas
• But, there was a dispute over Texas’ western border
– Texans didn’t think Rio Grande ended at El Paso but
continued northward through New Mexico to source of
river—San Juan Mountains in Colorado

– If the border continued all the way up to Colorado,
about ½ of New Mexico would be in Texas—including
Santa Fe

Texas-New Mexico Border
Dispute, con’t
• People in New Mexico didn’t want to be Texans
• People there had ties with Mexico and most
spoke Spanish
• Lots of people there were still mad that
Mirabeau Lamar tried to control New Mexico
when he was president of the Republic (Santa
Fe Expedition)

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico
• Texas wanted to gain control of New
Mexico
• Texas Governor Henderson sent people up
to Santa Fe to force them to surrender to
Texas
• Santa Fe leaders refused to become
Texans

Texas’ Efforts to Gain Control of
New Mexico, con’t
• By 1847, Texas had a new governor
– George Wood
– He vowed to continue to fight for control of New Mexico
– To strengthen claims to New Mexico, Texas created
– counties of Worth, Presidio, Santa Fe, and El Paso in disputed
area

– Texas was only able to agree to get El Paso to agree to be in
Texas
– But, by gaining El Paso, Texas secured land west of Pecos River
for Texas

Disagreements over Slavery and
Territories
• Texas still a problem for the US
• Zachary Taylor became US president in 1848

• He had to deal with issues with territories
• Taylor agreed to let California become a part of the US as
a Free State
– Free State: state that didn’t support slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, if California came into to US as a Free State, then there would
be more free states than slave states (wanted it to be equal number)
• Pro-Slavery states (like Texas) didn’t want California to be admitted
to US
• Also, people in New Mexico and Utah territories wanted to become
part of US
• In Washington DC, the abolitionists wanted slavery outlawed
– Abolitionist: person who wanted to end slavery

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• The dispute over the western border of Texas added to problem of
slavery
– Because Texas was a slave state, many people in US wanted to
limit the size of Texas
• President Taylor and US Congress disagreed on how to handle all of
these problems
• President Taylor wanted California admitted to US immediately
– He argued that people of California were struggling with problems
after the Gold Rush of 1848 and needed to a state government to
help the people out
– He had also promised the residents of California that they would
be admitted to US

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• But, many people in the US Congress wanted to
wait until the issue over slavery was settled
before admitting any more states into the US
• Southern members of the US Congress wanted
federal government help in finding runaway
slaves
– This law became known as the Fugitive Slave Law

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• So, a Senator from Kentucky offered a compromise
– Henry Clay
• AKA “The Great Compromiser”
• Worked out a solution to all of the disagreements

• He proposed:
– California be admitted to US as a free state
– That territories of Utah and New Mexico be organized and the
citizens could decide for themselves whether to be a free state or
a slave state
– Wanted the slave trade in Washington DC to be abolished

Disagreements over Slavery
and Territories, con’t
• He proposed (continued)
– That the Fugitive Slave Law be put into effect

– To settle the “Texas Question”, he wanted Texas to
give up about 40% of land in the west for about 10
million dollars
• Slavery was an issue in this, too, because of the
decision about slavery for New Mexico

The Compromise of 1850
• Before President Taylor would even talk about
Henry Clay’s proposals, he demanded that
California be admitted into the Union
• But, before any other action was taken,
President Taylor died

• Vice President Millard Fillmore took over as
President of US

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Then, Henry Clay decided he was tired and
wanted to leave Washington DC
• Senator Stephen A .Douglas (of Illinois) picked
up where Henry Clay left off with the
compromise issues

• Congress finally passed the Compromise of
1850

Provisions of the Compromise of
1850
• California became a state in the US—a free state
• New Mexico and Utah became US Territories
• Slave trade (but not slavery itself) was abolished in Washington DC

• Fugitive Slave Law went into effect
• “Texas Question” was settled: Texas gave up some of it’s land to
north and west and received 10 million dollars
– The money helped pay off debt

• The Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850 was put into
effect
– This act created the present day borders of Texas

TEXAS AND THE COMPROMISE OF 1850

The Compromise of 1850, con’t
• Provisions of the Compromise of 1850
– California became a state
– Utah and New Mexico became territories
– Slave trade was ended in Washington DC
– Fugitive Slave Law was put into place
– “Texas Question”: Texas received 10 million dollars to give up
disputed territory to north and west
• Getting the money helped Texas get out of debt

– Texas and New Mexico Act of September 9, 1850: created Texas’
present day borders

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:12_Millard_Fillmore_3x4.jpg

http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/B/hclay/hclay.htm

President
Millard Fillmore

Henry Clay

http://www.shmoop.com/causes-of-civil-war/photo-stephen-douglas.html

Stephen A. Douglas

The Compromise of 1850

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp
http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/the-nation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.us-coin-values-advisor.com/thenation-drifts-toward-war.html

http://www.ushistory.org/us/30d.asp