Terms

The Texas War for Independence

The Texans rebelled against Mexico in 1836 and formed the independent state of Texas.

The Alamo

The Battle where many Texan revolutionaries were killed but became the chant for the cause.

The Election of 1844

Polk, the dark horse candidate, and wanted annexation of Texas and occupation of Oregon. He defeated Henry Clay.

Mexican War

Cause by the dispute over the southern boundary of Texas. The US defeated Santa Anna and received the Mexican Cession from the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo

Stated that the Rio Grand River would be the southern boundary of Texas. The US received a lot of territory including modern day New Mexico, Arizona, and parts of California, Nevada, and Utah.

Mexican Cession

The lands that the Mexicans gave up in the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

Gadsden Purchase

Purchase from Mexico in order to build a southern route for the transcontinental railroad.

Bear Flag Revolt

Led by John Fremont in the territory of California.

Lone Star Republic

Name of the independent state of Texas.

Liberty Party

Led by James G. Birney and endorsed liberty for the slaves.

Free Soil Party

Led by Van Buren, and promoted no slavery in the territories gained by the Mexican Cession. Was formed from the Liberty Party, Conscience Whigs, and Barnburners.

"Conscience" Whigs

Whigs that did not support slavery.

"Cotton" Whigs

Whigs that wanted slavery, were mostly southern.

Wilmot Proviso

Statement that would have provided popular sovereignty in the territory gained by the Mexican Cession.

Popular Sovereignty

Principle that would allow the residents of a terrritory to vote whether it was a slave or non-slave state.

Willamette Valley

Territory in Oregon that had very fertile soil. Many Americans migrated there.

Election of 1848

Zachary Taylor defeated Lewis Cass and Van Buren.

Barnburners

Anti-Slavery Democrats.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that it was the destiny of the US to conquer the entire Western Hemisphere.

Webster-Ashburton Treaty

Resolved the dispute over the border of Maine.

Battle of San Jacinto

Final battle of the Mexican War.

Personalities to Remember:

William Henry Harrison- Whig party
John Tyler- Annexed Texas; really a Democrat
Henry Clay- Lost Election of 1844
Daniel Webster- Whig
John C. Calhoun- States Rights
James K. Polk- 1st Dark Horse President to be elected
Sam Houston
Stephen Austin
Santa Anna- Mexican General
James G. Birney- Liberty Party leader
John C. Fremont- led Bear Flag Revolt
Zachary Taylor
Winfield Scott- General in Mexican War
Nicholas Trist- Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
Brigham Young- Mormonism
John L. O’Sullivan- Manifest Destiny
Marcus and Narcissa Whitman
Stephen Kearny- Won battle of Santa Fe