Texas Annexation and Sam Houston's Policies

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes Sam Houston's approach to foreign policy while president of the Republic of Texas?

  • Aggressively expanding Texas's territory through military conquest.
  • Forming military alliances with European powers to counter American influence.
  • Prioritizing peaceful relations with Mexico and securing international recognition of Texas independence. (correct)
  • Focusing solely on domestic issues and neglecting foreign relations.

What was a primary concern among Americans regarding the annexation of Texas, influencing opposition to the action?

  • The strain on the American infrastructure due to population increase.
  • The potential for increased political power for slave states and renewed conflict with Mexico. (correct)
  • The disruption of established agricultural practices.
  • The potential increase in trade tariffs with European nations.

How did Mirabeau Lamar's policies differ most significantly from Sam Houston's during their respective presidencies of the Republic of Texas?

  • Lamar focused on maintaining peaceful relations with Native American tribes, whereas Houston advocated for their removal.
  • Lamar advocated for fiscal austerity and reduced government spending, while Houston invested heavily in public education.
  • Lamar sought immediate annexation to the United States, while Houston preferred maintaining Texas's independence.
  • Lamar pursued an aggressive military policy against Native Americans and supported expansion, while Houston favored peace and fiscal responsibility. (correct)

Anson Jones strategically leveraged international politics to benefit Texas. How did he accomplish this?

<p>By threatening to join the British Empire, pressuring the U.S. to offer annexation and Britain to support Texas. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was President Anson Jones's primary focus as he led the Republic of Texas?

<p>Achieving peaceful resolution with Mexico and recognition of Texas independence, while also pursuing annexation by the United States. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor most contributed to the economic challenges faced by the Republic of Texas?

<p>Extensive military spending, unresolved conflict with Mexico, and a devalued currency. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the availability of cheap land in Texas impact its population and economy during the Republic era?

<p>It led to rapid population growth and agricultural development, but also strained relations with Native American tribes. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did religious organizations contribute to the development of higher education in the Republic of Texas?

<p>By establishing and operating some of the earliest colleges in the region. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributed most significantly to the decreasing popularity of Mirabeau Lamar towards the end of his presidency?

<p>His aggressive military campaigns and increased government spending, leading to a surge in national debt. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What prompted Lamar to advocate for strengthening Texas's military forces during his presidency?

<p>To protect against attacks from Mexico and remove Native Americans from the frontier. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sam Houston’s foreign policy goals?

To gain world recognition of Texas independence and to avoid conflict with Mexico.

Sam Houston’s domestic policy goals?

To gain control of the army, keep peace in Texas, and improve the nation’s financial stability.

Why did some Americans oppose Texas annexation?

Americans feared the tension with Mexico and that Texas would be a slave state and create an uneven number in the US Congress.

Lamar's actions harming the economy?

Lamar tried to create public schools, strengthen the armed forces and waged war on Native Americans.

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Challenges faced by Houston's Second Term?

Native Americans attacking settlers, the declining value of the Texas dollar, the poor economy, and the threat of armed conflict with Mexico.

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Event adding to desire to join the US?

The conflict with Mexico.

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Anson Jones' role with annexation?

Jones played off Britain’s and America’s fear to persuade Britain to support Texas in the conflict with mexico.

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Why did people move to Texas?

Texas had cheap land.

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Religion’s impact on higher education?

Religious groups built the first colleges.

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Why is Anson Jones known as “Architect of Annexation?”

Because of his role in helping Texas joining the United States

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Study Notes

  • Voters supported annexation to the United States.

Sam Houston's Foreign Policy Goals

  • Aimed to secure global recognition of Texas's independence.
  • Sought to avoid conflict with Mexico.

Sam Houston's Domestic Policy Goals

  • Gaining command of the army.
  • Maintaining peace within Texas.
  • Stabilizing the nation's finances.

Opposition to Texas Annexation by Americans

  • Concerns about escalating tensions with Mexico.
  • Texas's potential to become a slave state, disrupting the balance in the U.S. Congress.

Mirabeau Lamar's Actions Harming Texas Economy

  • Efforts to establish public schools.
  • Strengthening the armed forces.
  • Initiating war against Native Americans.

Challenges Faced by Sam Houston During Second Term

  • Attacks on settlers by Native Americans.
  • Declining value of the Texas dollar.
  • Ailing economy.
  • Threat of armed conflict with Mexico.

Event Increasing Texans’ Desire to Join the U.S.

  • Conflict with Mexico fueled the desire for annexation.

Anson Jones' Role in Annexation

  • Jones leveraged Britain's and America's fears to gain British support for Texas in its conflict with Mexico.

System to Speed Up Settlement in Texas

  • The empresario system and land agents facilitated faster settlement.

Reasons for Moving to Texas

  • Cheap land attracted many people to Texas.

Factors Making Ranching Difficult

  • Ranching proved to be a challenging way to earn a living.

Religious Groups' Methods of Spreading Faith

  • Religious groups employed various methods to spread their faith.

How Most People Made a Living

  • Most people in the Republic of Texas made a living in specific ways and places.

Impact of Religion on Higher Education

  • Religious groups were instrumental in establishing the first colleges.

Anson Jones: "Architect of Annexation"

  • Known for his pivotal role in Texas joining the United States.

Arguments For and Against Texas Annexation

  • Texans favored annexation to lessen the threat from Mexico.
  • Texans favored annexation to gain more valuable currency from the U.S.
  • Many Texans had relatives in the United States.

Issues Faced by President Anson Jones

  • Jones worked towards peace with Native Americans and Mexico.
  • Jones tried to persuade Mexico to acknowledge Texas's independence.

Houston's Attempts to Cut Government Spending

  • Houston reduced government jobs and salaries.
  • Houston reduced the size of the army.

Reasons for Decreased Support for Lamar

  • Due to the increased debt.

New Capital Built by Mirabeau Lamar

  • Lamar had a new capital built in Austin.
  • Lamar considered the location unwise due to the potential danger from Mexico and Native Americans.

Reasons for Lamar Strengthening Armed Forces

  • Lamar sought to protect Texas from Mexico.
  • Lamar sought to remove Native Americans from the Frontier.

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