Introduction
Texas is now one of the 50 states of the USA; however, this province changed its belonging to certain countries. For example, Texas is well-known for previously being a province in New Spain, a frontier state of Mexico. Such a transformation of Texas into an American state occurred in the middle of the 19th century. Several main reasons might have caused such an action and territory exchange; however, it is quite difficult to examine the exact triggers for this transformation. One of the integral reasons that might have impacted Texas’s future is the continuous immigration of American citizens to this state while it was the property of New Spain.
The Transformation of Texas form a Mexican to an American State
Such a transformation of Texas from a Mexican into an American state turned out to be a huge shock for average citizens as no particular explanations were provided. The history of this state as Mexico’s province begins in 1821 after the announcement of the country’s independent statehood. Texas was included in the territory of New Spain and was named a part of the Mexican state Coahuila. That was also the time when the active immigration of Americans started. Firstly, it was strongly enhanced by the Mexican government as American immigrants and workers could increase the population of those states and help develop their economic and financial state. Additionally, the workforce from the United States was considered more qualified and skillful; therefore, Mexico’s inhabitants expected a rise in effectiveness due to the implementation of new techniques of production and agriculture. However, such a strong flow of immigrants made Mexico take precautions and lower the immigrant stream; the government was alarmed by the growing number of foreigners in comparison with the native Mexicans (Acuna 11). Hence, the increase in the number of Americans could provoke the transition of the state.
During this time, Mexico was in the state of a civil war, where American citizens played their roles as silent observers rather than partakers. However, a large number of volunteers from the United States supported the national independence movement and helped in the resolution of the armed conflict. On 2 March 1836, the representatives of the American community in Mexico issued a declaration that announced the independence of Texas from Mexico. Despite the defeat in the Alamo battle, American volunteers managed to conquer this war; and the Mexican government finally signed the territory of Texas away (Acuna 17). Hence, one of the main hypotheses of Texas’s transformation is based on the active participation of American volunteers in the Mexican war and its unofficial conversion into the Mexican-American war for Texas.
It cannot be concluded that the U.S. government planned to annex Texas. The development of diverse processes and intentions somehow led to it. Although there is no solid evidence that the transformation of Texas was intentionally provided by the American government, the reaction of the citizens of the USA regarding the Texas annexation was obvious. U.S. citizens expressed total support for their government and actively participated in the invasion of Texas (Acuna). Therefore, it can be concluded that despite the declaration of independence presented to Texas by American immigrants, the citizens of the United States did not consider Texas to be free in its decisions. High levels of involvement produced an effect of belonging on Americans; hence, during the war, by defending the territory with huge losses, U.S. volunteers and citizens almost felt that Texas was their territory based on the amount of effort they put into it.
The most relevant conclusion that can be made based on the gained information about the issue is that a combination of events led to the transformation of the American-Mexican border. Firstly, it was the mass global immigration of American citizens to Texas that heightened the number of immigrants in comparison with the natives. Secondly, the active participation in the Mexican civil war and large numbers of American volunteers in regulating positions established a solid relationship between the territory of Texas and the U.S. citizens. Additionally, several scientists conclude that the invasion of this Mexican state was a tool for winning financial, economic, and natural resources that naturally belonged to the competing country. This strive to win additional resources provoked the wish for a new war in the American government. The U.S. admission of Texas can be considered a provocation for a new war that aims to widen the borders of the USA and gain larger amounts of power along with financial stability (Acuna 18). Therefore, the annexation of Texas can be viewed as a tool in the hands of the American government that helped the country reach other Mexican territories.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Texas was provided with independence and later included in the number of the states of America. Hence, given the full freedom from Mexico in its policy creation, Texas was taken some part of it away by being admitted by the USA. However, this cannot be considered a crucial problem as, by the time of annexation, the majority of Texas inhabitants were the representatives of the American community. The thing that might seem unfair in this process of invasion is the intentions and the reasons that motivated the U.S. government to perform such actions.
Work Cited
Acuna, Rodolfo. “Legacy of Hate: The Conquest of Mexico’s Northwest.” Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, HarperCollins, 1988, pp. 5-21.