Annexation+of+Texas+and+the+Mexican+War



//The Mexican War and Annexation of Texas:// There were many causes of the Mexican War, one of which was the controversy over Texas between America and Mexico; cheap land drew Americans into Texas. In early 1836, Texas declared itself independent of Mexico. The spirit of abolitionism was just beginning to exert political influence with national politics. The northerners believed that slavery was immoral, and southerners believed that it was a lifestyle. The problem with Mexico was that it discouraged annexation of Texas. Mexico still refused to acknowledge the independence of Texas, and annexation would cause war with the neighbor, Mexico. In 1843, British and French ministers attempted to arrange a truce between Texas and Mexico; this worried US expansionists. This meant that independent Texas would block westward expansion, and southerners were worried that the British were trying to influence Texas to abolish slavery. President John Tyler announced his willingness to negotiate with Texas and placed a treaty of annexation before the Senate and it was voted against; later war was declared. When the Mexican government rejected American peace terms, the armistice was terminated and Scott attacked Mexico City. As a consequence to the war, Mexico never received foreign support. Much territory was gained with the annexation of Texas, California, and New Mexico.