Annexation of Texas (1845)

The Lone Star Dilemma: Why Was Annexing Texas So Controversial?

Target: I can explain how the debate over annexing Texas exposed deep divisions over slavery by analyzing a map description and conflicting primary source documents.

Key Vocabulary

• Annexation: The official act of adding or taking over a new territory, making it a part of an existing country (e.g., Texas joining the U.S.).

• Republic of Texas: The independent nation that broke away from Mexico in 1836 and existed for almost 10 years before being annexed by the U.S. in 1845.

• Manifest Destiny: The 19th-century (1800s) belief that the United States was destined by God to expand its territory west, all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

• Sectionalism: Loyalty to one's own region or "section" of the country (like "the North" or "the South") rather than to the country as a whole.

• Missouri Compromise of 1820: An earlier agreement that tried to keep a balance of power in Congress (Senate) between slave states and free states. It banned slavery in all future territories north of the 36°30' latitude line.

Part 1: Do Now (5 minutes)

Directions: Read the prompt below and write a 5-8 sentence response.

Prompt: Imagine our school is voting to merge with a neighboring school. This would bring in a lot of money and new sports teams (pros). However, it would also mean all our rules might change, and the new school has very different values from ours (cons). What are the main arguments for and against this merger? What would you vote for, and why?

Sentence Starter: One argument for the merger is that our school would... However, an argument against it is that... I would vote (for/against) the merger because...

Part 2: Analyzing the Sources

Directions: Analyze the three documents below and then answer the questions that follow.

Document 1: Map of the U.S. and Texas, circa 1844

The map shows the United States in 1844. It clearly displays the existing states and territories. Next to the U.S., to the southwest, is the massive "Republic of Texas," which is shown as an independent country.

A clear, dark line is drawn across the U.S. territories, labeled the "Missouri Compromise Line (36°30')". This line shows where slavery was "banned" in the northern territories. The entire Republic of Texas is located south of this line. This visually shows that if Texas were to be annexed, it would enter the United States as a massive new slave-holding territory.

Document 2: President James K. Polk, Inaugural Address (Adapted Excerpt, 1845)

Original Text	Simplified Text
The Republic of Texas has made a voluntary choice to join our Union. She is a sovereign nation that has the right to give up her independence and become part of our country. Our nation has a duty to welcome her.	Texas chose to join us on its own. It's an independent country, and we have a duty to accept it.
Some people fear this expansion. But can we, a nation of free people, refuse to accept a new territory if it is offered to us? Can we refuse to expand the "area of freedom"?	Some people are afraid of getting bigger. But how can we, a free country, say "no" to more territory? How can we refuse to spread freedom?
This annexation is not a threat to other nations. Foreign countries have no right to interfere with Texas's choice. They are trying to stop our expansion, but they will fail.	This isn't a threat to other countries. They have no right to get involved in Texas's choice. They are trying to stop us, but they won't succeed.
The final reunion of Texas with the United States will happen soon. I will use all my power to complete this great act, which will help our whole country grow and prosper. Our nation is destined to expand.	Texas will soon be part of the U.S. I will do everything I can to make this happen. It will help our country grow. It is our destiny to expand.

Document 3: Massachusetts Legislature, "Resolution on the Annexation of Texas" (Excerpt, 1844)

Original Text	Simplified Text
We, the Legislature of Massachusetts, do resolve the following: That the annexation of Texas to the United States is a dangerous and unconstitutional project.	We, the government of Massachusetts, believe that adding Texas is dangerous and goes against the Constitution.
This plan is a clear attempt to extend and protect the institution of slavery. It is a plan to give more power to the "Slave Power" in the South.	This is just a plan to spread and protect slavery. It's a way to give more power to the slave-holding states in the South.
Annexation will create a great imbalance of power. It will give the slave-holding states control over the national government, which is a clear violation of the principles of our Union.	Adding Texas will mess up the balance of power. It will give the slave states control of the whole government, which is not what our country is supposed to be about.
This act will ruin the compromises of our Constitution and break the promises made between the free states and the slave states.	This action will destroy the compromises in the Constitution. It breaks the agreements made between free states and slave states.
Therefore, we declare that Massachusetts will not be bound by any such act. We will not support a plan that forces us to help extend the evil of slavery. We refuse to be part of this great crime.	Because of this, Massachusetts announces it will not follow this new law. We will not be forced to help spread the evil of slavery. We refuse to take part in this crime.

Analysis Questions

Directions: Answer questions 1-3 on your own. Then, work with a partner to answer question 4.

1. Based on the map description (Document 1), why would a Northern abolitionist (someone against slavery) be afraid of annexing Texas?

Sentence Starter: A Northern abolitionist would be afraid because the map shows that Texas is... which means...

2. According to President Polk (Document 2), what are two reasons for annexing Texas?

Sentence Starter: President Polk argues for annexation first by saying..., and second by claiming...

3. According to the Massachusetts Legislature (Document 3), what are two reasons against annexing Texas?

Sentence Starter: The Massachusetts legislature argues against annexation first by stating..., and second by warning that...

4. (Work with your partner) Which side makes a stronger argument: President Polk (pro-annexation) or the Massachusetts Legislature (anti-annexation)? Why? Use a direct quote from either Document 2 or 3 to support your opinion.

Sentence Starter: I believe (Document 2 / Document 3) makes a stronger argument because it states... This is convincing because...

Part 3: Exit Ticket (5 minutes)

Directions: Answer the following prompt in a complete paragraph (5-8 sentences).

Prompt: Using evidence from at least TWO of today's documents (the map, Polk, or the Mass. resolution), answer the Essential Question: Why was the annexation of Texas so controversial, and what was the single biggest issue at the heart of the debate?

Sentence Starter: The annexation of Texas was so controversial because...

For example, Document (1/2/3) shows...

This connects to the single biggest issue, which was..., because... Document (1/2/3) also supports this by...