In the mid-19th century, Texas experienced a range of turbulent events, some of which were unprecedented, compared with the history of other states. The Texan struggle for independence and its ultimate annexation by the U.S became the prerequisite for the Mexican-American war in 1846-1848. In particular, the southwest part of Texas was an arena for territorial disputes between the United States and Mexico. In the course of dramatic controversies, this territory finally became a part of the U.S. and joined “the achievements of free minds and free hands under the protection of this glorious Union” (Roark et al. 320). Thus, the history of the mid-19th century southwestern Texas was inseparably associated with the pursuit of independence and glory.
The history of disputed areas in southwestern Texas closely relates to the Texan independence war. This struggle for independence stemmed from the 1830s, when Mexico invited the U.S. citizens to its sparsely inhabited northern territories, including Texas, which was a Mexican province at that time. Shortly afterward, the inhabitants of Texas became dissatisfied with the actions and decisions of the government. It is necessary to remark that most of the Texan population were tradesmen and farmers of German descent, and they formed a firm “stratum of independent producers” (Roark et al. 312). Furthermore, in the 1830s, Texas already had “a thriving plantation economy” (Roark et al. 312). Hence, these cultural and economic features explain people’s aspiration to win independence in Texas.
Consequently, the Texas Revolution began in 1835. On April 21, 1836, the war ended, and the Treaty of Velasco was signed, granting Texas independence from Mexico (Roark et al. 319). It is necessary to observe that following the defeat at San Jacinto, Mexico made several unsuccessful attempts to reconquer Texas. Afterward, the Mexicans refused to recognize the independent Republic of Texas. As a result, “Texans had sought admission to the Union almost since winning their independence from Mexico in 1836” (Roark et al. 319). Indeed, the unvaried hostility on the part of Mexico induced Texas to join the U.S. in 1845. Thus, Texas annexation was a significant cause of the Mexican-American War.
Following the annexation, the U.S. dispatched military forces in Corpus Christi, Texas. During negotiations in 1845, U.S. President Polk made a financial reward in return for Mexico’s recognition of the southwestern border of Texas along the Rio Grande River (Roark et al. 318).
One has to bear in mind that previously, the Nueces River, which is 130 miles north and east, was defined as the Texas boundary by the Spanish government. However, these negotiations failed as the Mexican government refused this offer. As a result, the U.S. troops marched to defend the Rio Grande boundary. In March of 1846, Brigadier General Zachary Taylor set up a camp along a stretch of the Rio Grande River, which was a disputed area of the U.S. and Mexico. Consequently, the crossing of the Rio Grande by the Mexican cavalry in April 1846 triggered the declaration of war by the U.S. Congress.
In August 1846, the U.S. occupied Santa Fe along-shore the upper part of the Rio Grande and then marched southwards (Roark et al. 321). Eventually, the U.S. forces captured Mexico City in September 1847, having moved west from the Veracruz port (Roark et al. 321). The Treaty concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, ended the Mexican-American War, and led to the Mexican Cession of its northern territories. This U.S. victory also resulted in Mexico’s recognition of its northern boundary with the United States along the Rio Grande.
As one can easily observe, the disputed areas in the mid-19th century southwestern Texas were a unique landscape for critical historical events. The Texans’ tenacity and resoluteness to gain a better life eventually promoted the expansion of the U.S. territories. Thus, the Texan struggle for independence from Mexico resulted in the spread of the U.S. influence and made a significant contribution in its pursuit of safety, freedom, and glory.
Work Cited
Roark, James L., et al. The American Promise: A Concise History, Volume 1: To 1877. Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016.