8.8.6
Describe the Texas War for
Independence and the Mexican-American War, including territorial settlements,
the aftermaths of the wars, and the effects the wars had on the lives of
Americans, including Mexican Americans today.
The Texas War for Independence and the Mexican-American War were both conflicts between
the United States and Mexico over large areas of Mexican land, and both ended
victorious for the Americans. At the end of both wars, the territory of the
United States actually had been increased by over sixty percent and added the
U.S. states of Arizona, California, Nevada, and others to the country. During
the Texas War for Independence, the Americans settled in Texas gained their
independence from Mexico, formed a republic, and later joined the United States
as the twenty-eighth state of the union. The Americans in Texas had long
outnumbered the Mexicans and were angered by the unfair treatment they received.
The United States offered twice to buy Texas, but Mexico refused. The Texans
began to rebel and after many battles against Mexico and their president, Santa
Anna, Texas independence was reached. Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty to
give up all Mexican claims to the territory of Texas. The free republic wanted
to join the United States, but a conflict arose over the fact that Texas allowed
slavery and adding it to the union would upset the balance. In the aftermath of
the war, this problem was left for the moment, until two years later when Texas
finally joined the union after much debate. The Mexican-American War was fought,
because the United States wanted to gain the lands of California and New Mexico,
but Mexico refused to sell them. After a two-year war, a peace treaty was
finally signed The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo forced Mexico to give up all
claims to the land that would later become six U.S. states, including California
and New Mexico, and parts of four others. Both the Texas War for Independence
and the Mexican-American War had great effects on the lives of Americans,
including Mexican Americans today. When the wars ended, Americans flocked to the
new regions in hopes of quick riches. With the west belonging to the United
States, Americans could settle as west as the Pacific Ocean and remain on
American soil. A significant result of the war was to escalate the disagreements
over slavery. The war convinced a growing number of northerners that southern
slave owners had started the war in order to open new lands to slavery. More
importantly, it weakened the political parties and made it increasingly
difficult for the nation's leaders to prevent slavery and its expansion from
dominating Congressional activity for the next fifteen years. There are many
Mexican-Americans today that live in these regions. Though many still follow
some of their old traditions, they also have the privilege of living in a more
diverse and free society.
More Information:
1.
http://www.historyguy.com/Mexican-American_War.html#mexicanamericanwartype
This website is found to be very helpful, because it breaks down the facts into the
subject you need to know about. It is easily understandable, offers valuable
information on the Mexican-American War, and has many interesting facts to learn.
2.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761559370
This website has very well written explanations with many facts, dates, leaders, etc…
The whole encyclopedia article proved to be very detailed and in depth. It was
an excellent website to visit if you have a lot of time and are interested in
having good knowledge of the Mexican-American War.
3.
http://ired400.louisiana.edu/alamo/webquest/index.htm
This website offered a very interesting template activity exploring the Battle of the
Alamo. It takes quite a while to complete, but I found it very helpful in
understanding the details of the famous battle in a fun and educational process.
Recommended Books:
1.
The American Journey: Building a Nation
by Joyce Appleby, Alan Brinkley, James McPherson, and National
Geographic Society