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Chapter 15 Section 1, The Annexation of Texas, P. 314
Key Terms
1. Manifest Destiny: the belief that the U.S. should stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Ocean; A growing belief in America in the 1840s and 50s
2. Jane McManus Cazneau: newspaper reporter who wrote in favor of Texas annexation
3. Political Parties: groups of people who help elect government officials and influence
government policies (Ex: Democrats and Republicans)
4. James K. Polk: from Tennessee, the Democratic candidate for president in 1844; he was
in favor of Texas annexation
5. Henry Clay: from Kentucky; known as the “Great Compromiser”; Whig candidate for
president in 1844; originally was against Texas annexation because of possible conflict
with Mexico but later said he wasn’t opposed to annexation; his indecision cost him
votes in the North and the South and he lost the election
6. Joint Resolution: formal expression of intent; Congress passed a joint resolution
proposing the annexation of Texas
7. Convention of 1845: Texas delegates met on July 4, 1845 and approved annexation by
the U.S.; they also began writing a new state constitution
8. Texas Admission Act: James K. Polk signed this on December 29, 1845, making Texas the
28th state
Main Idea Questions
1. The fight over Texas annexation hinged on the issue of slavery.
2. U.S. President Tyler was a Southerner who favored annexation. What did he do in
1843 regarding Texas? He sent agents to Texas to talk about annexation
3.
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What were some features of Tyler’s proposed treaty with Texas in 1844?
Texas would become a U.S. territory (not a state yet)
U.S. would pay off Texas’ debt
Texas would give its public lands to the U.S. government
4. How did Northerners feel about Tyler’s proposed treaty? Was the treaty ultimately
approved or rejected? Northerners disliked it because the treaty would add another
slave state to the U.S.; the treaty was rejected
5. Even after the treaty debate, many Americans supported Texas statehood and
westward expansion. Why? Many Americans saw the West as a place of opportunity,
where farming and trade would provide economic growth
6. What were two important issues in the U.S. presidential election of 1844? Annexation
and Manifest Destiny
7. Polk’s victory in the election of 1844 was considered a sign of what? The American
public’s approval of Texas annexation
8. What did Congress do in February 1845? Passed a joint resolution to annex Texas
9.
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What were some features of the joint resolution regarding Texas annexation?
Texas would immediately become a state
Texas could keep most of its public lands (some was sold to help pay off Texas’ debt)
Texas would give its public and military property to the U.S. government
10. What were some reasons why it was beneficial for Texas to join the U.S.? Most Texans
were originally from the U.S. and still had family there; Texas and the U.S. already had
strong business ties; the U.S. would provide Texas with military protection and a postal
system
11. What two events occurred on October 13, 1845? Texas voters approved annexation,
4,254 to 267; voters also approved the new state constitution