P UP
Stephen F. Austin, a land agent, set up
a colony of American settlers in Texas.
Soon Anglos, or English-speaking settlers,
outnumbered Spanish-speaking Texans.
There was conflict over cultural issues
First, the Anglo settlers spoke English
instead of Spanish. Second, the Anglos
tended to be Protestant instead of Catholic.
Third, many of the settlers were
Southerners who brought their slaves with
them. Mexico had outlawed slavery in
1829. They unsuccessfully tried to get the
Texans to free their slaves
Mexico tried to prevent more American
settlers from coming to Texas, but the
settlers came anyway. Austin asked
Mexico for more self-government for
Texas.
In 1836 a war broke out that became
known as the Texas Revolution.
A small Texan force tried to defend the
Alamo, a mission in San Antonio. When
the Mexicans captured it, they killed all 187
of the Americans "Remember the Alamo"
became a rallying cry for Texas rebels.
Under their commander Sam Houston, the
Terans captured Mexican leader Santa
Anna and won their independence
James K. Polk was elected president in
1844. He was a slaveholder and favored
westward expansion. In 1845. Texas was
admitted to the union
2 Name three conflicts between Anglo
settlers and Mexico
Mexico, President Polk sent the U.S. army
to blockade the Rio Grande River
War broke out between the United
States and Mexico New Mexico
immediately asked to join the United
States. American settlers in California
declared their independence from Mexico.
They set up the Republic of California.
American troops won victory after victory.
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
gave almost half of Mexico's land to the
United States. The United States bought
more land from Mexico with the Gadsden
Purchase in 1853. This set the current
borders of the lower 48 states.
2 dentify two states that became part of
the United States as a result of the
Mexican War.
THE CALIFORNIA GOLD RUSH
(Pages 137-138)
How did the Gold Rush change
California?
in 1848 gold was discovered in
California. People streamed into
California in the rush for gold. These
"forty-niners" came from all over the
United States as well as from foreign
countries. California's population
exploded. San Francisco become a boom
Thic Gold Rush brought thousands of
people to California and spurred the