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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Question of Annexation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine the sequence of events that led up to the annexation of Texas to the United States. They create a timeline of significant events, analyze primary source letters from this time period, and write a letter from the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primary Source Adventures: Texas Annexation: United We Stand? Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders study the national effect that the annexation of Texas had on the 1844 Presidential election using primary source documents which they access through web based sources. They examine slavery in Texas during the 1840's and...
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Primary
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: Archives of the West: Resolution Annexing Texas to the u.s.

For Students 9th - 10th
Read the U.S. Congressional resolution approving the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States. Links are provided to additional sites.
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Primary
US National Archives

Our Documents: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

For Students 9th - 10th
An interactive exploration of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which was signed in 1848 and ended the Mexican-American War. Puts the treaty in context, makes reference to U.S. territorial gains, and includes links to larger images, a...
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Article
Henry J. Sage

Sage American History: Texas From American Settlement to Annexation 1820 1845

For Students 9th - 10th
Article in which the author takes us through the history of Texas from the time Americans arrived and settled in the area to annexation, and finally, war with Mexico over the territory. With photographs and links to related resources.
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Website
Other

Dmwv: The u.s. Mexican War: 1846 1848

For Students 9th - 10th
Dedicated to the memory of U.S. veterans who fought in the U.S.-Mexican War, this website provides documents, images, maps, and FAQs.
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Article
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Republic of Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed history of the Republic of Texas, starting with its initial birth in 1836 when its Constitution was written, and the end of Texas's conflict with Mexico. The article discusses the many issues faced by the new Republic, the...
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Handout
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Interactives: The Nation Expands: Texas Annexation, 1845

For Students 6th - 8th
Explains how Texas came to become part of the Union in 1845, at its own request. This precipitated the Mexican-American War.
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Primary
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Anson Jones and the Annexation of Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Anson Jones's influence on the Annexation of Texas. A picture of Anson Jones is also included on this website.
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Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: Texas Annexation

For Students 9th - 10th
It took "nine long and bruising years" for the Republic of Texas to join the United States. Why did it take so long? Who were the people involved in this process? Explore the Texas Annexation through the articles, artwork, and documents...
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Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Presidents of the Republic of Texas: Anson Jones

For Students 9th - 10th
Anson Jones, the fifth president of Texas, led Texas as it became the 28th state of the United States. Explore his early years, learn how he attained the presidency, and check out primary texts and timelines that provide a complete look...
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Website
University of Virginia

Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Knox Polk:campaign and Election of 1844

For Students 9th - 10th
The campaign and election of 1844 showed the rising difference in the nation between Whigs and Democrats and sections of the country. Showing the true development of the two-party system, it also gave rise to the term, "dark horse."
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Texas Independence

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students read primary source documents to solve a problem surrounding a historical question. This document-based inquiry lesson allows students to read parts of the Texas Declaration of Independence,...
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Handout
Lone Star Junction

Lone Star Junction: Archives of the West: Compromise of 1850

For Students 9th - 10th
This interesting website shows four plans of establishing the boundaries of Texas for its annexation into the U.S. This break-up of Texas lands became part of the Compromise of 1850.
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Lesson Plan
iCivics

I Civics: A Growing Nation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this unit, students learn how the United States began to grow as soon as it became a nation, and they examine the effect of this growth on societies already established in North America. Register for a free account to download teacher...
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: America's Manifest Destiny [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
After a brief discussion of Manifest Destiny in other parts of country, read about the Texas rebellion against Mexico, the battles against Santa Anna, and the treaties that made Texas an independent country. [pdf]
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Texas Question in American Politics

For Students 9th - 10th
A very interesting explanation of how Texas was annexed to the United States despite much opposition. Read about the false conspiracy put forth by pro-slavery Southerners concerning Great Britain's plan for Texas.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: The Mexican War

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the attempt by the United States to purchase land in the Southwest prior to the declaration of war between the two countries. Find out the causes of the war, and see that there was considerable opposition to the war in the...
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Article
Son of the South

Son of the South: Annexation of Texas

For Students 9th - 10th
A quick overview of how the state of Texas was annexed into the United States of America.
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Website
Other

Fort Tumbleweed: History of the Republic of Texas (1836 1846)

For Students 4th - 8th
Summarizes the end of the Texas Revolution and the formation of the new Republic, followed by annexation of Texas to become a state. Included are lists of important figures in the Republic of Texas, and the names of the government...
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Article
Other

Global Security: 54 40 or Fight

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the significant territorial changes that took place in the United States under the presidency of James K. Polk. These included the annexation of Texas, the settling of the dispute with Great Britain over claims to Oregon...
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Article
US Department of State

U.s. Department of State: Office of the Historian: Milestones: 1830 1860

For Students 9th - 10th
Concisely written accounts of three important events in the history and shaping of Texas: the Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.
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Article
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Annexation

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this brief overview of the events leading to the annexation of Texas to the United States in 1845.
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Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Annexation Process: 1836 1845 a Summary Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
Ten years of important dates that highlight the chronology of Texas' annexation into the United States of America.