Week 15: Annexation of Texas

President Mirabeau Lamar formed peace treaties with American Indian tribes.

• True

• False

Whose presidency was dominated by the question of annexation by the United States?

• Anson Jones

• Maribeau Lamar

• Sam Houston

• J. Pinckney Henderson

Texas also had to deal with the constant threat of attacks from Mexico. The Mexican government refused to follow the terms of the Treaties of Velasco, which ended the Texas Revolution. They didn’t recognize the Republic of Texas as an independent nation, either. In 1842, Santa Anna again led a group of soldiers into Texas. For a short time, the Mexican army held control of San Antonio, Goliad, and Refugio. Eventually, the Texans drove the Mexican Army out of the Republic, but the people of Texas were wary. 

How did Santa Anna violate the Treaties of Velasco?

• Abolishing the Mexican Constitution

• Not recognizing the Republic of Texas

• Repaying loans taken out for the war

• He was the general of the Mexican Army

There were many people in the United States who were not sure if the annexation of Texas would be successful. Texas had very large debts. The United States would have to take over these debts if Texas became a state. This was a big responsibility. Many people also worried that the annexation of Texas would lead to war between the United States and Mexico. 

What is a reason people in the United States did not want to annex Texas?

• Texas produced too much oil

• They didn't want a war with Mexico

• The Texas Constitution was illegal

• It would isolate American Indian Tribes

From 1836 to 1845, Texas stood as an independent republic. During this time, the government and people of the Republic faced many challenges. First, the Texas government had very little money. People paid taxes to the government, but it wasn’t enough to fund everything the nation needed. Plus, Texas had borrowed money during the war with Mexico and now needed to pay that money back. 

What is one way countries obtain revenue?

• print money

• take out loans

• collect taxes

• establish banks