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Chapter 12 Section 4: Texas Becomes a State
1. What were two reasons some citizens were against Texas annexation?
It would benefit southern slaveholders; it would mean war with Mexico
2. What happened in April 1844? What were 3 terms stated in this document?
Representatives from the U.S. and Texas signed a treaty; 1) it would make Texas a U.S.
Territory, 2) it said Texas would give its public lands to the U.S. and, 3) the U.S. agreed to pay
all of Texas’ debts
3. What was the result of the vote in the U.S. Senate on the treaty between the U.S. and
Texas? What were 3 reasons it was voted down?
They rejected it by a vote of 35 to 16; 1) they opposed it because Texas would enter the U.S.
as a slave state; 2) they did not want to anger Mexico, and 3) the Senators did not want to
create a controversy during an election year (1844)
4. Regarding annexation of Texas, during the presidential election of 1844 what was the
difference between candidates James K. Polk and Henry Clay? Who ultimately won the
election?
Polk: for annexation Clay: against annexation
Polk won a close election
5. Before Polk took office, what did President John Tyler do? Why?
Asked Congress to reconsidered Texas annexation because he said Congress could no longer
delay their decision, the voters had spoken
6. What happened on February 28, 1845? What 3 provisions were included?
U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing annexation; 1) Texas could become a state
as soon as annexation was approved and a new state constitution written, 2) Texas could
keep its public lands and sell some to pay off debts, 3) Texas could be divided into 5 smaller
states at some point in the future if necessary
7. After the Texas annexation offer from the U.S., what did Texas president Anson Jones
do? How did the Texas Congress vote?
Called a special session of the Texas Congress to discuss annexation; Congress quickly
approved it
8. What happened on July 4, 1845?
The convention overwhelmingly backed annexation and created a new state constitution
9. What happened on October 13, 1845? What was the result of the vote on annexation?
What was the result of the vote on the new constitution?
Texas officially approved annexation; annexation vote: 4,254 for, 257 against; new
constitution: 4,174 for, 312 against
10. What happened on December 29, 1845?
President Polk signed the resolution that made Texas a state
11. What did France and Great Britain prefer regarding Texas? What did Mexico finally do in
May 1845? What was the one condition Mexico ordered Texas to follow? What was the
response from the Texas Congress?
That Texas remain independent and not join the U.S.; Mexico finally recognized Texas
independence, but only on the condition that Texas reject U.S. annexation; the Texas
Congress quickly rejected Mexico and moved forward with annexation
12. What happened on February 19, 1846? Who was the last president of the Republic of
Texas? Who was the first governor of the state of Texas? Texas became the 28th state in
the U.S.
Anson Jones (Texas’ last President) turned over the government to J. Pinckney Henderson
(Texas’ 1st Governor)