The Early Statehood Era, 1845-1860

1. Foreign Diplomacy and Annexation
2. New State Government
3. The Mexican-American War
4. Population & Economic Growth

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Foreign Diplomacy and Annexation

1. Why did the United States delay in recognizing Texas independence?(7.4:B)
       There were two main reasons that the United States did not immediately recognize Texas independence. First, many Northerners in the United States did not want to recognize Texas, because the new nation allowed slavery to exist within its borders. More importantly, many Americans feared that formal recognition of Texas would jeopardize the United States government�s relationship with Mexico. War might be the result.
2. What was the first European country to recognize Texas Independence?
       France
3. Why did President Lamar send troops to Santa Fe? What happened to those troops?(7.4:A)
       Lamar sent troops to protect Texas claim to the Santa Fe territory 
4. Who was Jose Navarro known?(7.4:A) (Jose Antonio Navarro)
       He would become a leading Mexican participant on the side of Texas in the Texas Revolution, as well as in the subsequent development of the Republic and then the State of Texas.
5. What was the Archives War?(7.4:A)
       It was a conflict caused when Sam Houston tried to move the state archives from Austin to Houston.
6. What happened following General Woll's occupation of San Antonio?(7.4:A)
       Following the occupation of San Antonio, Texas forces, under the leadership of Col. Mathew Caldwell, met and defeated part of General Woll's forces at the Battle of Salido Creek. At the same time, a contingent of Texas volunteers, led by Capt. Nicholas M. Dawson, were overrun by another by another group of General Woll's forces, in what became know as the Dawson Massacre.
7. What was the Mier Expedition? What happened to the Mier Expedition prisoners?(7.4:A)
       The Mier Expedition were a group of Texas volunteers who crossed into Mexico to attack Mexican troops. The Texans were overwhelmed by a force of 2,000 Mexican soldiers. For two days the ragged group of Texans fought against their numerically superior foe, but eventually they were forced to surrender.
       Following their surrender, the captives were marched to Mexico City, where Santa Anna gave an order that every tenth Texan was to be put to death. In deciding who would be executed, each Texan had to draw a bean from an earthen jar. The jar contained 159 white beans and 17 black beans. Those who were unlucky enough to pull a black bean from the jar were removed from the prison, blindfolded and shot. The last of the Mier Expedition prisoners was released in September 1844.
8. What were the arguments for and against annexation of Texas to the United States?(7.4:B)
       Some people in the United States, especially in the southern states, wanted Texas to become a state for a variety of reasons. Southerners had many relatives living in Texas, and those in the South knew that Texas would enter the Union as a slave state. That would give the southern slave states more power in the United States Congress.
       Many Northerners, especially businessmen, also supported annexation. United States businesses in the Northern states had profited handsomely from trade with Texas, and the owners of Northern factories felt that annexation would strengthen the country�s economy. In addition, Americans feared that Texas might become part of foreign country, either Mexico, France or England.
       Those who were opposed to the annexation of Texas argued that Mexico would declare war on the United States if Texas was admitted to the Union. Many also pointed out that the United States would have to spend a large sum of money to bail Texas out of its financial troubles. Finally, those who opposed slavery did not want another slave-holding state in their country.
9. When was the official annexation of Texas to the United States?(7.1:C)
       Texas was officially annexed into the United States on December 29, 1845.

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New State Government

1. What type of state government did the Constitution of 1845 establish in Texas?
       The Constitution of 1845, following the example of the United States Constitution, called for a separation of powers in the state government. It created the executive, legislative and judicial branches. 
2. Who were the first governor, lieutenant governor and chief justice of Texas?(7.4:A)
       The voters elected James Pinckney Henderson as the first governor, and voters chose Albert C. Horton as his lieutenant governor. Governor Henderson appointed John Hemphill as the first chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court.
3. What was the first task of the new state government?(7.4:B)
       The first task was to transfer the daily operations of the Republic to the new state. The postal system, army posts, public buildings, arms and ammunition and certain other properties were all turned over to the  federal government of the United States.
4. Why did the Democratic party dominate the early state government?(7.17:A)
     The Democratic party represented the views of the yeoman farmers and small business owners. This party also found favor among Texans because nationally its members had supported the annexation of Texas to the United States.
5. What two main issues confronted the early governors of Texas?(7.4:B)
       The two main issues confronting the governors during their respective terms in office remained the public debt and land policy.

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The Mexican-American War

1. Why was John Slidell sent to Mexico?
       After Texas was annexed, the United States sent John Slidell to Mexico to settle the heated debate over the exact location of the southern boundary of Texas. Slidell was instructed to offer the Mexican government $5 million to accept the Rio Grande as the official border between the two countries. He was also to offer to buy California. The Mexican government, however, refused to greet Slidell, and they continued to recognized the Nueces River as the legitimate border.
2. Why did the United States declare war on Mexico in May 1846?(7.4:A)
       The United States declared war on Mexico after Mexican troops attacked American forces that were north of the Rio Grande near present day Brownsville.
3. What requirements for Mexico's surrender were established under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo?(7.4:A)
       The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo required Mexico to recognize that Texas was legally a part of the United States. Furthermore, the southern and western boundaries of Texas were set at the Rio Grande. Finally, Mexico also agreed to sell the Mexican Cession to the United States for $15 million. The cession included lands in the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.
4. What problems did the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo cause between Texas and the United States government?(7.4:A)
       The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo created problems between Texans and the United States government. The people of Texas believed the treaty had recognized their claim to all lands east of the Rio Grande River. However, the citizen of Santa Fe and other regions in present-day New Mexico did not want to be a part of Texas.
5. What was the Compromise of 1850?(7.4:A)
       The Compromise of 1850 allowed California to enter the Union as a free state; divided the western lands into two territories, the Utah Territory and New Mexico Territory; ended the slave trade in Washington D.C.; and gave Texas $10 million dollars in exchange for giving up its land claims in New Mexico.

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Population & Economic Growth

1. What groups of Europeans moved into Texas during this period? Why did most of the immigrants come to Texas?(7.11:A)
       English, French, German, Norwegian, Czech and Polish. Most immigrants came to the United States and Texas looking for a better life economically and socially. Some of the immigrants were influenced to come by a strong pioneer leader, who convinced others to follow him to a new land and a new beginning.
2. What was life like for women living in Texas during this period of Texas history?(7.8:B;7.9:B)
       These women often experienced greater freedom than the women living further east. Some even ran their own businesses, such as hotels, general stores and laundries. Freedom, however, came at a high cost. Most women were isolated from friends, and they often had to work with their husbands in the fields as well as take care of their children and their household chores.
3. Approximately how many Mexicans moved to Texas between 1850 and 1860?(7.8:B;7.9:B)
       In 1850, there were approximately 4,000 Mexican-born Texans, and by 1860 their numbers had increased to more than 13,000.
4. What was the increase in the slave population in Texas during this period?(7.8:B;7.9:B)
       In 1846, there were approximately 40,000 slaves in Texas. On the eve of the Civil War in 1860, there were more than 180,000. 
5. What was the most profitable crop grown in Texas during this period?(7.8:B;7.9:B)
       Cotton
6. What was the largest ranch in the world during this time period?
       The King Ranch
7. What developments were made in Texas transportation during this period?(7.9:C)
       Early railroads in the state began to appear in the 1850s. The first railroad was the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railroad, commonly referred to as the Harrisburg Railroad.
8. What developments were made in communication in Texas during this era?(7.9:C)
       Communication throughout the state greatly improved between 1850 and 1860, especially after the first telegraph was put into operation in 1852. It connected Shreveport, Louisiana, to Marshall, Texas. In addition to the telegraph, newspapers became more readily available.

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