Example research essay topic: Reasons For The Annexation Of Texas - 1,232 words

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The Annexation of Texas was one of the most debatable events in American history. The question at hand would, in either which way chosen, deeply impact the United States for generations to come. There was on one side a long list of reasons for why to not allow annexation, but there was the same kind of list on the other side for reasons to push forward for annexation. Some of these reasons of both sides were slaves, war, manifest destiny, politics, and constitutional rights. Also the way Texas began in a way said that they should be apart of the United States In the end there were more important reasons for annex Texas into the union, than to leave Texas the was she was.

From the early days of pioneers and settlers, thousands of Americans began to move into what would become Texas. The Mexican government was wanting to populate the Texas area to increase the economy. For a long period of time the Mexican government had placed many laws on the territory, but none that were deeply informed. Finally when a new dictatorship came into power, they began to enforce the laws.

Slavery among other issues was the big problem with the American Settlers, which with in a few years out numbered the Mexican population twice if not more in Texas. The United States had been trying to purchase Texas and other territories unsuccessfully. A movement began to stir in Texas for revolution. The American Settlers were tired of Mexican dictatorship and wanted the same freedoms they enjoyed back in America.

So with a little bit more influence from America a revolt was formed. Eventually Texas would capture Santa Anna the Mexican dictator and with independence for Texas. So a major reason for Texas to be annexed into the United States was that the overwhelming majority of the population was former Americans. From the very time of winning independence, annexation of Texas to the United States was at the top of the list of things to do. But as soon as the Texas minister was sent to Washington to negl agate for an annexation, the Martin Van Buren administration told that the proposition could not be entertained. The reasons given were constitutional scruples and fear of war with Mexico.

The real reason behind Washingtons excuses was slavery. From the very second the words of annexation of Texas hit the US borders anti-slavery activists were on the ball. The American Anti-Slavery Society began to work towards preventing annexation at any cost. Petitions and memorials circulated and signed by abolitionists poured into Congress. It was said that six hundred thousand signatures were presented against annexation in a single session. One of the major voices against annexations was ex-president, John Quincy Adams.

He was at that time a member of the House of Representatives. Near the close of the session for that year, Adams made a three weeks address in opposition to annexation. He is quoted in his diary for saying The annexation of Texas to the Union is the First maritime, colonizing, slave-tainted monarchy, and of extinguishment of freedom (Wharton). For fear of the northern's and abolitionists, neither Jackson or Van Buren dared to push hard for annexation.

Though the reasons for ending slavery were not their prime concern. If Texas was admitted into the union the new slave state would wreck the hard won balance of slave and free states in the Senate. Thus giving the south an advantage over the north. The abolitionists believed that this would eventually lead to the south pushing for laws inferior of their ways of life, being new slave laws, and disunion in the country. (Haley) Once Texas is annexed its territory could become as many as 11 new slave states with 22 new pro-slavery senators. This would be a political nightmare for the norths anti-slavery palpitations. Though they could not fully see the end result at that time, the annexation of Texas was another stronger push of the ball of dis-unification. 16 years after the annexation of Texas, Texas would succeed from the union, and enter into the Confederate States of America (Encarta 4).

In the hearts of many Americans at that time was the fear of another great war. In the beginning of the annexation period, Mexico still considered Texas its own territory. They held the belief that the treaty sighed by Santa Anna while he was a prisoner was invalid, and that the territory of Texas was still in the Mexican empire. As the push for annexation continued France and Great Britain needed a dependable, heavy supplier of high-grade cotton, and a moneyed customer for their manufactured goods, which Texas could buy. They also wanted a way around American tariffs. (Haley) Therefore if Texas was annexed into the United States they would loose their consumer. On British advice, the Mexican government would agree to acknowledge Texas as a free nation, so long as she never be annexed into any country. (Webb) Now the Americans had to face that if Texas was annexed the Mexican government stated that they would consider it an act of war. (Carpenter) As time would tell, as soon as Texas was legally annexed into the union the Mexican government immediately broke off all diplomatic ties with the United States and began to prepare for war. (Encarta 5) During this time period the Idea of Manifest Destiny was sweeping through the American nation.

The idea of manifest destiny ment that it was our destiny, and the will of god for the free American race to control all of North America. (Britannica) They wanted the American nation too touch both of the great oceans. With the annexation of Texas, it would increase the size of the United States roughly about 1 / 5 of the continental United States today. Texas at that time would include parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. With the idea of manifest destiny in the air the American people wanted to push all the way to the Pacific. In order to do this they would have to fight the Mexicans in order to get it, because the Mexican government at that time was not willing to loose any more land. So to get to the Pacific America would have to fight the Mexicans, whether at the time of annexation or another time.

To add to this idea of manifest destiny, a very large percent of the Texas population were former American citizens. Many in the United States felt that it was their duty to help there brethren. In Texas, American money was more widely used than their own currency. Eventually when Texas is annexed, it stopped the aggressions of England in North America.

It also was the corner stone for the acquisition of Oregon, and led to caring our flag to the Pacific. (Wharton) One of the key issues in every kind of debate is the question of finances. The major reason for Texas being annexed was that the United States would assume Texas poverty and a $ 1, 500, 000 war debt. (Weems) The thoughts of assuming Texas great debt was enough to turn a few heads way from Texas. A Boston daily paper wrote: We have territory enough, bad morals enough, public debt enough, slavery enough without adding Texas. (Wharton) By the time you get to the Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas, the though...

Research essay sample on Reasons For The Annexation Of Texas