Texas Annexation

From 1846-1848, the United States was engaged in an armed conflict with Mexico. The recent annexation of Texas in 1845 had already resulted in a substantial loss of territory claimed by the Mexican government. By the time the Americans had seized control of Mexico City after twenty-one months of fighting, casualties for both countries were over thirty-thousand. The war resulted in the U.S. acquisition of a majority of the modern American southwest. The U.S. expansion led to much debate over…

Protestant/Pro-Slavery. Once James K. Polk was elected, everything changed. Polk not only wanted Texas, he wanted California as well. The thing is, California was still Mexico’s territory. Texas, however, was not, after winning their independence from Mexico in 1836. Polk tried to settle the dispute over the land by sending General Taylor and the American troops into the disputed area in the southern part of Texas. Polk also sent John Slidell to Mexico City to try and buy California from Mexico,…

alternate moniker for the Mexican-American War for many reasons. For one, looking on the outside, the causes of the war seem to be unjust in that the Manifest Destiny, a widely supported policy by Polk, prompted America’s push West and eventual annexation of Texas from Mexico. However, on the tactical level, many commanders were entrusted with the responsibility of leading units in the fight against the Mexican people, and one of those commanders was a young lieutenant by the name of Ulysses S.…

James E. Crisp dives head long into an extensive evaluation of the events, people, and historical stories of the Alamo. As he began his research he stumbled across a speech written and given by Sam Houston. Houston is a well acknowled man in both Texas and U. S. history with a reputation for fairness, and being and all around good wholesome man with a polished set or morals. Upon reading a statement Houston made to his men Crisp felt as if something were wrong. He said “ I was stunned and…

such as the new political support for territorial expansion, or was it merely a description of events? For the next two decades, the professional politicians who managed the Second Party System avoided policies, such as the annexation of the slave holding Republic of Texas, that would prompt regional strife. This shows how the passion on the abolitionist side, struck fear into the opposing side, enough to avoid confrontation. During the 1840s, many citizens embraced an ideology of conquest that…

“American blood on American soil”, said President Polk when he appeared before congress and this was the start of the Mexican-American war according to the US history books. There are many different stories on why the war started but in the United States the story states that the Mexicans are the people to blame and hence the name: the Mexican-American War. Before this war had begun Americans forget that there was natives who first lived the lands they took over. This means that those people…

Firstname Lastname Instructor’s Name Course Number 14 September 2015 The Battle of the Alamo The Alamo is the name given to an eighteenth century mission located in modern days San Antonio, Texas. Originally designed as a roman-catholic mission, the Alamo also served as a fortified structure whose original purpose was to withstand attacks by native American tribes. In 1836, the Alamo became the battleground of one of the most symbolic freedom battles in US history: The Battle to the Alamo,…

promoted the 1844 campaign with a catchy and significant slogan, “54, 40’ or Fight”. The Polk Administration was consumed with many issues, both foreign and domestic. Assuming the presidency from President Tyler, Polk was occupied with the Annexation of Texas, Mexico’s talks of selling California to Great Britain, and the boundary disputes of the Oregon Territory. His administration was highly concerned over a war with Great…

November 2017 Storm over Texas Book Review Storm over Texas: The Annexation controversy and the road to Civil War by Joel H. Silbey is a comprehensive read about the journey of Texas becoming a part of the United States. The author, Joel H. Silbey, discusses the challenges and wars the people of Texas faced and how they eventually concurred them and gained independent from Mexico and then the journey of annexation into the United States. Through the book, Storm over Texas, he shares the…

There have been a lot of fundamental wars and battles in the history of the United States. From the Revolutionary War to our ongoing military intervention against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), all these battles/wars have played major roles in the outcome of the United States history. One battle that shaped up the United States would have to be the Battle of Palo Alto. The Battle of Palo Alto saw the first battle between Mexico and the United States, which would eventually lead to…