The Lone Star RepublicThe Lone Star Republic

Texas Becomes a StateTexas Becomes a State

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The Texas QuestionThe Texas Question During Houston’s first term, the United States was During Houston’s first term, the United States was

not ready to annex Texas because it would not ready to annex Texas because it would unbalance the ratio of slave and free states. unbalance the ratio of slave and free states.

The United States also felt annexation would mean The United States also felt annexation would mean war with Mexico. war with Mexico.

The push for annexation stopped when Mirabeau B. The push for annexation stopped when Mirabeau B. Lamar became president because he did not favor Lamar became president because he did not favor becoming part of the U.S.becoming part of the U.S.

In 1844 a treaty was signed making Texas a territory In 1844 a treaty was signed making Texas a territory of the United States. Texas would give its public of the United States. Texas would give its public land to the U.S. and the U.S. would pay all debts of land to the U.S. and the U.S. would pay all debts of the Republic of Texas. the Republic of Texas.

The Texas QuestionThe Texas Question Some Texans were upset that Texas was Some Texans were upset that Texas was

only a territory, not a state, but were only a territory, not a state, but were confident the U.S. would vote for Texas confident the U.S. would vote for Texas annexation.annexation.

They were surprised when the U.S. They were surprised when the U.S. Senate rejected it by a vote of 35 to 16. Senate rejected it by a vote of 35 to 16.

The Texas question soon became the The Texas question soon became the center of controversy throughout the center of controversy throughout the United States. United States.

Polk Wins ElectionPolk Wins Election Annexation became an issue during the United Annexation became an issue during the United

States presidential election of 1844.States presidential election of 1844. Democratic presidential candidate, James K. Democratic presidential candidate, James K.

Polk, supported Texas annexation. Polk, supported Texas annexation. Polk’s victory in a very close election showed Polk’s victory in a very close election showed

that most of the voters favored annexation. that most of the voters favored annexation. Annexation gained momentum from growing Annexation gained momentum from growing

support for expansion.support for expansion.

Polk Wins ElectionPolk Wins Election

Most Americans believed the United Most Americans believed the United States was destined to expand coast to States was destined to expand coast to coast. This belief was called coast. This belief was called manifest manifest destinydestiny..

ManifestManifest - apparent: clearly revealed to - apparent: clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment.the mind or the senses or judgment.

DestinyDestiny - an event (or a course of events) - an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future.that will inevitably happen in the future.

Congress and Texas Approve AnnexationCongress and Texas Approve Annexation Congressional leaders who wanted annexation Congressional leaders who wanted annexation

proposed that Texas be annexed by a joint resolutionproposed that Texas be annexed by a joint resolution It stated Texas could join the United States as It stated Texas could join the United States as

soon as its people approved annexation and soon as its people approved annexation and adopted a state constitution. adopted a state constitution.

Texas could keep its public lands, but could sell Texas could keep its public lands, but could sell some to pay its debts. some to pay its debts.

Texas could be divided into as many as 5 states Texas could be divided into as many as 5 states with the approval of Texas and U.S. with the approval of Texas and U.S.

On December 29, 1845, President Polk signed the On December 29, 1845, President Polk signed the resolution that made Texas a state. resolution that made Texas a state.

Mexico Offers RecognitionMexico Offers Recognition Great Britain and France both preferred that Texas Great Britain and France both preferred that Texas

remain an independent nation rather than become a remain an independent nation rather than become a part of the United States. Both tried to convince part of the United States. Both tried to convince Mexico that it should recognize Texas Mexico that it should recognize Texas independence. independence.

In May 1845, Mexico agreed to acknowledge an In May 1845, Mexico agreed to acknowledge an independent Texas on one condition – Texas must independent Texas on one condition – Texas must reject annexation by the United States. reject annexation by the United States.

Texas was not interested. The Texas Congress Texas was not interested. The Texas Congress quickly rejected the Mexican proposal and voted to quickly rejected the Mexican proposal and voted to accept annexation by the United States. accept annexation by the United States.

““The Republic of Texas is No More”The Republic of Texas is No More” On February 19, 1846, Anson Jones, the last On February 19, 1846, Anson Jones, the last

president of the republic, turned over the president of the republic, turned over the government to J. Pinkney Henderson, the first government to J. Pinkney Henderson, the first governor of the state.governor of the state.

President Jones closed his farewell address by President Jones closed his farewell address by declaring that “the final act in this great drama is declaring that “the final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.”now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.”

The Lone Star flag was lowered, and the Stars and The Lone Star flag was lowered, and the Stars and Stripes were raised. Stripes were raised.

Texas officially became the 28Texas officially became the 28 thth state in the United state in the United States of America. States of America.