Instructions
Building on what we learned about the Annexation of Texas (1845) and the result of the U.S.-Mexican War (the huge land gain for the U.S.), we now face a new problem: Land and Slavery. When the U.S. won all that new land in 1848, it immediately brought up the question: Will these new territories be slave states or free states? This issue caused massive tension and forced Texas to make difficult choices.
Section 1: Reviewing the War's Result
Review the key outcomes from our last worksheet regarding the U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848).
- Which river became the official, final border between Texas and Mexico after the war?
Answer: The __ River
- What major concept explained why the U.S. wanted to keep expanding across the continent to the Pacific Ocean?
Answer: M D _
- What was the single biggest consequence (change) for the U.S. after winning the war?
A. The U.S. paid off all its old debts. B. The U.S. gained a huge amount of land in the West (the Mexican Cession). C. Texas changed its state bird.
Section 2: Solving the Land Debt Problem (The Compromise of 1850)
Texas claimed that its territory extended far beyond its current shape, reaching into what is now New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. This massive claim caused arguments in the U.S. Congress, especially because of the debate over slavery in those areas.
In 1850, the U.S. came up with a deal to fix this argument and help Texas financially. It was called the Compromise of 1850.
Key Exchange: Texas agreed to sell or give up (cede) its claims to land in the West (like parts of New Mexico) to the U.S. Federal Government. In exchange, the U.S. paid Texas $10 million. This money helped Texas finally pay off the large debt it had carried since it was a Republic!
Activity: Boundary Adjustment
Complete the sentences below:
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Texas agreed to cede (give up) its land claims to the U.S. in exchange for $10 million.
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This deal solved the border disputes and helped Texas finally pay off its old d _ .
Section 3: The Rising Crisis: States' Rights and Secession
Even after the Compromise of 1850, the country was tearing apart over slavery. States in the South (like Texas) believed in States' Rights. This was the belief that state governments should have more power than the Federal (national) government, especially the right to decide if they would allow slavery.
Northern states argued that the Federal government must stop the spread of slavery.
If states felt the Federal government was taking away their rights, they threatened Secession. Secession means formally leaving the Union (the United States) to form a new country.
Scenario: Imagine you are a Texan citizen in 1861. Decide if the following argument supports Secession (Leaving the Union) or Staying in the Union (Remaining in the USA).
| Argument | Position (Write Secede or Stay) |
|---|---|
| Example: The U.S. government is threatening to take away the right to own slaves. | Secede |
| Mexico might attack Texas if the U.S. Army leaves the state. | Stay |
| The U.S. Federal government is interfering too much in Texas laws. | |
| Remaining in the U.S. keeps the peace and prevents a costly war. | |
| Texas needs the right to decide its own laws, especially regarding labor and economy. | |
| The U.S. offers better trade and economic security than a new small nation. |
Section 4: Texas Votes to Secede (1861)
In February 1861, Texas voted overwhelmingly to leave the Union. Texas became one of the original states to join a new country called the Confederate States of America (CSA). This act of Secession was a direct cause of the American Civil War (1861-1865).
Fill in the blanks using the word bank provided.
Word Bank: States' Rights, Secession, Union, Confederate
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The belief that state laws should be superior to national laws is called ____.
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When Texas left the ____, it was performing an act of ____.
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Texas joined a new group of southern states known as the ____ States of America.
Section 5: Challenge Question (Connecting the Republic to Secession)
Before 1845, Texas was a sovereign country called the Republic of Texas. In 1861, Texas became one of the first states to secede.
Why did the history of Texas as an independent republic make it easier for Texans to mentally accept the idea of secession from the United States?
Answer (in one short sentence): ___
Answer Key
Section 1: Reviewing the War's Result
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Answer: Rio Grande
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Answer: Manifest Destiny
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Answer: B. The U.S. gained a huge amount of land in the West (the Mexican Cession).
Section 2: Solving the Land Debt Problem (The Compromise of 1850)
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Answer: Texas agreed to cede (give up) its land claims to the U.S. in exchange for $10 million.
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Answer: This deal solved the border disputes and helped Texas finally pay off its old debt.
Section 3: The Rising Crisis: States' Rights and Secession
| Argument | Position (Write Secede or Stay) |
|---|---|
| Example: The U.S. government is threatening to take away the right to own slaves. | Secede |
| Mexico might attack Texas if the U.S. Army leaves the state. | Stay |
| The U.S. Federal government is interfering too much in Texas laws. | Secede |
| Remaining in the U.S. keeps the peace and prevents a costly war. | Stay |
| Texas needs the right to decide its own laws, especially regarding labor and economy. | Secede |
| The U.S. offers better trade and economic security than a new small nation. | Stay |
Section 4: Texas Votes to Secede (1861)
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Answer: The belief that state laws should be superior to national laws is called States' Rights.
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Answer: When Texas left the Union, it was performing an act of Secession.
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Answer: Texas joined a new group of southern states known as the Confederate States of America.
Section 5: Challenge Question (Connecting the Republic to Secession)
Answer: Because Texas had already been an independent nation (a republic), the idea of governing themselves outside the Union was familiar/not new.