Annexation, Mexican War, & The Compromise of 1850

By: Luis Montes de Oca

Last Updated: 2/11/11

Annexation of Texas

THE DEBATE OVER ANNEXATION

In 1844, there was a debate over Texas Annexation. Different Texan political Leaders took hold of whether they wanted annexation to be approved or opposed. As the debate went on, the group in favor of annexation brought up a claim of all the things annexation could solve, such as the major debt of $10 Million Dollars and protection from the Mexicans. The other group not in favor of annexation claimed that annexation was not the answer. They also said Texas could no longer be an independent Republic if it was annexed. They had one major factor in the debate, which was that if Texas and the United States Annex, they could break into a War. Later on, it was proved correct.

It came as no surprise on June 8, 1844, when the Senate rejected the annexation treaty. However, annexation was later approved and the prediction was right about starting the Mexican War.

Structure of the New Government

When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, Texas government had been shaped largely within the Anglo-American tradition. The Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836) had been replaced by a new one owing to the fact that Texas had been annexed by the United States.

Requirements of Texas Statehood

As early as 1837, the Republic tried many times to ask for annexation with the United States. Texas was finally annexed when James K. Polk won the election of 1844. On December 29, 1845, Congress admitted Texas to the U.S.
After Texas's annexation, Mexico refused to cooperate with the United States. While the United States claimed that Texas's border stretched to the Rio Grande, Mexico claimed it was the Nueces River. While the former Republic of Texas could not enforce its border claims, the United States had the military strength and the political will to do so. President Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor south to the Rio Grande on January 13, 1846. The first battles of the war were fought in Texas: the Siege of Fort Texas, Battle of Palo Alto and Battle of Resaca de la Palma. After these victories, the United States invaded Mexican territory ending the fighting in Texas.

MEXICAN WAR

Causes of the War

There were many causes of the Mexican War. One of the causes was the American annexation of Texas. The Mexican government took the Annexation as a declaration of war.

Another cause was the American claims against Mexico rising from the Mexican revolutions.

The third cause of the war was the Texas War of Independence and the annexation of that area to the United States.




Role of the Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers had many roles during the Mexican War (1846- 1848), fighting in both the northern and central. The Rangers had plenty of experience and combat intelligence. The Ranger did, in fact, indeed help the Republic of Texas. They were strong and courageous and help The Republic of Texas a more independent Country.

Tejanos in the War

In 1821, at the end of the Mexican War of Independence, there were about 4,000 Tejanos living in what is now the state of Texas.  By 1830, the 30,000 settlers in Texas outnumbered the Tejanos six to one. The Texians and Tejanos alike rebelled against the authority of Mexico City and the measures applied by the Santa Anna. Tensions between the central Mexican government and the settlers eventually led to the Texas Revolution.