Week 1 - Texas Political Development Flashcards
When did Mexico win independence from Spain?
1821.
When did Texas win independence from Mexico?
1836.
Why did Texas want to be independent from Mexico?
Because Mexico abolished slavery in the 1830s, conflicting with the interests of slave-owning settlers in Texas.
When did Texas become a U.S. state?
1845.
Why was becoming a U.S. state good for Texas?
It secured its position within a larger, more powerful nation that could defend its interests and support its economy.
Before President Polk’s term, which river had the U.S. government recognized as the border between Texas and Mexico?
The Nueces River.
Which river did Texas claim as its border?
The Rio Grande.
How did Polk’s choice of the border provoke a war with Mexico?
Polk’s insistence on the Rio Grande as the border led to a dispute with Mexico, escalating into the U.S.-Mexican War.
What role did race play in both the promotion and opposition to the U.S. –Mexican war?
Promotion included beliefs in Anglo-Saxon superiority and Manifest Destiny; opposition included arguments against expanding slavery and the injustices faced by non-white populations.
What percentage of Mexico did the U.S. acquire in the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo?
About 55%.
