Point of Views on Annexation

Point of Views on Annexation

Texas VS US

Texas Views on Annexation

Texas had many reasons for wanting to join the United States. Even though Texas had won the Texas Revolution, there was still fighting and tension between Mexico and Texas. Mexico had invaded Texas several times between 1836-1845. Texans did not feel safe. Some Texans even felt that Mexico could retake Texas. 

Becoming a state in the United States offered protection as this would limit the threat from Mexico. Texans also feared attacks from Native Americans. Many Natives were angry with Texans for taking their land and they raided Texan settlements because of this.  

Money Problems

• Texas was deep in debt.

• The Republic of Texas had a difficult time trying to raise money or even borrow it.

•  If Texas joined the United States, then they could use the U.S. dollar.

•   Texas “redbacks” (the Texas dollar) did not have enough value

• most people preferred the stability of American currency.

Family Ties

Texans also had family ties to the United States. 

Many people had moved to Texas from the Southern United States. 

Family members in the states was another reason many Texans supported annexation.  

Views from the Presidents

During President Houston’s first term, he realized that Texas could not survive as a country without the help of the United States. 

Unlike Sam Houston there were some Texans against annexation. President Mirabeau Lamar opposed annexation, Lamar believed Texas could become powerful on its own.

Con/Against Annexation

 Many other leaders in Texas opposed the annexation because they wanted to keep their own government and make laws for themselves.  

Annexation from Texas President

•  In September of 1836, the people of Texas voted overwhelmingly to join the United States.

• Sam Houston, who had just won the election for president of Texas favored the idea and worked toward that goal.

Annexation from the US President

The U.S. president Martin Van Buren, who took office early in 1837 did not approve of annexation delaying the annexation of Texas for another 8 years. 

Multiple Choice

Which one is not a Pro (good reason to join the United States) from Texas Point of View?

• Protection

• Financial Stability

• Family Ties

• No longer their own country

Multiple Choice

Which one is NOT a Con (bad reason to join the United States) from Texas Point of View?

• No longer their own country

• Financial Stability

• No longer have their own government

• No longer can make their own laws

United States Views on Annexing Texas

The Republic of Texas was a huge country – adding this land to the United States would greatly increase its size. However, not everyone was in favor of Texas joining the United States. 

Slavery was a controversial issue in the United States during this time period. The Republic of Texas allowed slavery. Many Americans were scared that if another slave state joined the United States it would give too much power to slave holding states. This would upset the balance of power between free and slave states in Congress.       

Slavery issue...

Opponents of slavery, called abolitionists, did not want to see the power of slave states increase. 

Cons of annexation

One politician even said,

“But let us admit Texas, and we shall place the balance of power in the hands of the Texans themselves.  They, with the Southern states, will control the policy and destiny of this nation…”

Money problems

• Americans were also concerned about the amount of money Texas owed. The Republic of Texas owed several million dollars.

• The United States did not want to take on all of the debt from the Texas Revolution

Problems with Mexico

• The United States did not want to have to deal with issues between Texas and Mexico.

• The United States feared going to war with Mexico and that was another important factor in the decision.

• Mexico had never acknowledged the independence of Texas. They warned the United States that a war would result if Texas was annexed.

Great Britain ties

Americans were still fearful of any involvement of Great Britain in North America.  The British were working with Texans hoping to keep them an independent country. 

Great Britain feared that the annexation of Texas would make the United States too powerful.  Texas was a big supplier of cotton to Great Britain and they wanted to continue buying their cotton from Texas with the deals they had established with  the Republic. 

Great Britain tried to pressure Mexico into recognizing Texas’ independence.  The British believed Texas would give up attempts at annexation if it had a secure border with Mexico.  

James K. Polk

•  In 1845, the United States had a new president, James Polk.

• U.S. President James Polk wanted to see the United States expand west and he supported the annexation of Texas into the United States.

Annexation...!

• Representatives from the United States and Texas negotiated and signed a treaty of annexation.

• Texas was officially annexed by the United States on December 29, 1845.

The end of the Republic...

President Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic, lowered the old flag from the capitol building in Austin and announced,

“The Republic of Texas is no more”.  

Multiple Choice

Which one is not a Pro (good reason to join the US) from the US Point of view?

• Powerful nation

• Texas Debt

• Increase in size

• Supplied Great Britain with cotton

Multiple Choice

Which one is

NOT a Con (bad reason to join the US) from the US Point of View?

• Texas Debt

• Slaves states would be more powerful

• Powerful nation

• War with Mexico

Multiple Choice

Texas was official annexed in what year?

• 1821

• 1719

• 1836

• 1845