Changes

America was still expanding, and eventually this caused conflict with Mexico, which became free from Spain in 1821.  Texas (an area much larger than the modern state) was Mexico's territory.

America was still expanding, and eventually this caused conflict with Mexico, which became free from Spain in 1821.  Texas (an area much larger than the modern state) was Mexico's territory.

Mexico began to "steal" America citizens, by giving them land when they became Mexican citizens and encouraged their friends to do the same.  Thousands of settlers from the United States became Mexican citizens.

Mexico began to "steal" American citizens, by giving them land when they became Mexican citizens and encouraged their friends to do the same.  Thousands of settlers from the United States became Mexican citizens.

But Mexico was quite lax in controlling its territory in Texas, and the settlers revolted in 1836.  They declared that Texas was independent from Mexico and drafted their own constitution.   

But Mexico was quite lax in controlling its territory in Texas, and the settlers revolted in 1836.  They declared that Texas was independent from Mexico and drafted their own constitution.   

In the famous Battle of the Alamo, a few thousand soldiers from Mexico defeated just 165 Texans at the Alamo.  This battle became famous, as did the cry "Remember the Alamo!".

In the famous Battle of the Alamo, a few thousand soldiers from Mexico defeated just 165 Texans at the Alamo.  This battle became famous, as did the cry "Remember the Alamo!".

Shortly thereafter, Texas wrote a formal declaration of independence.  Eager to gain land and fame, many Americans moved to Texas and helped defeat the Mexicans.  Thus, Texas became the independent "Lone Star Republic".

Shortly thereafter, Texas wrote a formal declaration of independence.  Eager to gain land and fame, many Americans moved to Texas and helped defeat the Mexicans.  Thus, Texas became the independent "Lone Star Republic."

Many of the citizens in Texas wished to become part of the United States, and Andrew Jackson, who was president at the time, also supported the annexation of Texas.  Nevertheless, politics prevented Texas from being annexed.

Many of the citizens in Texas wished to become part of the United States, and Andrew Jackson, who was president at the time, also supported the annexation of Texas.  Nevertheless, opposition by Mexico prevented Texas from being annexed.

The Whigs did not want to annex Texas, and Jackson was afraid that if he annexed Texas, his successor, Martin Van Buren, would not be elected.  Abolitionists were also upset because Texas would be another slave state - its constitution permitted slavery.  

The Whigs did not want to annex Texas, and Jackson was afraid that if he annexed Texas, his successor, Martin Van Buren, would not be elected.  Abolitionists were also upset because Texas would be another slave state - its constitution permitted slavery.  

In the end, Tyler was the first president to attempt to annex Texas.  Unfortunately, he ruined his chances by declaring that slavery would be good for Texas.  When the treaty came to the Senate, it did not pass.

In the end, Tyler was the first president to attempt to annex Texas.  Unfortunately, he ruined his chances by declaring that slavery would be good for Texas.  When the treaty came to the Senate, it did not initially pass.

==1840s: Social Movements, Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion==

==1840s: Social Movements, Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion==