Texas Annexation

Abstract

The prompt is to discuss the reasons why the United States initially refused to annex texas in 1836 and why the decision to complete annexation came in 1845 In 1836, Presidents Andrew Jackson and Marin Van Buren of the United States chose not to accept Texas as one of its territories (to annex) because it would have increased slavery tensions. An increase in tension meant more spread of slavery and an increase in the chances of war with Mexico. Mexican people threatened to start a war with the United States and further cut off Diplomatic relations (Holt, 2004). Mexico believed that losing Texas would also lead to the loss of other crucial Northern territories. In 1836, the Democrats and the Whigs were the major political parties in the United States. The two political parties were against the annexation meaning that its adoption would also cause a divide between the two political parties. In 1845, John Tyler who was the president agreed to annex Texas for being strategically collated near New Orleans port. Texas people also supported annexation because they wanted to enjoy the benefits the economic benefits that come with being part of the United States. Texas people also wanted to enjoy military protection from Mexico and other native American people. Secondly, America was quickly expanding into the shining sea from the sea, because of the doctrine of Manifest Destiny. The United States believed that God required them to expand their land to the Pacific Ocean. Therefore, Tyler hastened the process of Texas annexation to obey the Manifest Destiny. Thirdly, the US was against Texas’s alliance with Britain hence annexation was the only option that would help in cotton monopoly expansion (Sauers, 2010). Reference Holt, M. F. (2004). The Fate of Their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extension, and the Coming of...