Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: Santa Anna Strikes Back
Texas was "teetering on the edge of total disintegration" when Sam Houston returned to the presidency. The population was down, money was down, and Texas was defenseless against "a resurgent Mexico." Read more about this period in Texas'...
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: The Election of 1844
Read about the election of 1844 and the views of the two candidates, James Polk and Henry Clay.
Other
Texas Bob: The Tri Weekly Telegraph: Death of Gen. Houston
Read the article from Texas' Tri-Weekly Telegraph from July 29, 1863, recounting the death of General Sam Houston. He was known for bringing Texas into the United States as a constituent state.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Texas Treasures: Thomas Rusk
Thomas Rusk's Oath of Citizenship, Report from San Jacinto, and Letter on the 1850 Boundary Compromise are found here. You will see a picture of the original document, and a typed translation.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Lone Star Republic
Why did Mexico encourage settlement of Americans in Texas? Why did the Americans chafe under Mexican rule? Find out how this led to the Texas Revolution and the declaration of Texas as an independent country.
![Digital History: America's Manifest Destiny [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: America's Manifest Destiny [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: America's Manifest Destiny [Pdf]
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]
University of Oregon
Mapping History Project: Mexican Cession: Political Boundaries
Click on this map to see the boundaries of Mexico, Texas, and the United States before the Mexican Cession, and then click again to see the land ceded to the U.S. after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. Be sure to click to see the key...
Henry J. Sage
Sage American History: Expansion and War: The United States 1840 1860
Article on the era of westward expansion and the resulting Mexican American War. The author demonstrates how Manifest Destiny and frontier settlement led to the annexation of Texas and ultimately war with Mexico over the territory.
Other
Dmwv: The u.s. Mexican War: 1846 1848
Dedicated to the memory of U.S. veterans who fought in the U.S.-Mexican War, this website provides documents, images, maps, and FAQs.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
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...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Martin Van Buren
Get the facts about the life and administraton of Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), the 8th President of the United States (1837-1841).
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Knox Polk:campaign and Election of 1844
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."
iCivics
I Civics: A Growing Nation
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...
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Texas Annexation, 1845
A map of territory claimed by Texas when admitted into the Union in 1845. The map is coded to show the frontiers of Texas with the United States and Mexico, and the disputed territory in the west between the Rio Grande and Nueces rivers.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Mexico and Texas, 1845 1848
A map of Mexico and Texas from the annexation of the Republic of Texas by the United States (1845) to the end of the Mexican-American War (1848). The map is color-coded to show the territory of Texas in 1845, the territory of dispute...
University of Oregon
Mapping History Project: Territorial Expansion of the u.s. 1783 1853
Click on the sliding bar and watch how the United States territory grew with the Louisiana Purchase, Florida Acquisitions, Texas Annexation, Oregon Country, and Mexican Cession.
San Jacinto Museum of History
San Jacinto Museum: How Did the Battle of San Jacinto Change the World?
This is an interesting look at the impact of the Battle of San Jacinto not only for the Republic of Texas, but for places in North America and in Europe. Links to additional information.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
This 3-page article provides a general overview of the Mexican War which resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in Mexico City on February 2, 1848.
History Tools
History Tools: John O'sullivan Coins the Phrase Manifest Destiny 1845 [Pdf]
What was "manifest destiny"? In this excerpt, learn the role race played in American expansionism and the proposed addition of Texas to the United States.
Digital History
Digital History: The Mexican War
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...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Tyler: A Life in Brief
A brief overview of the life of John Tyler. Hyperlinks to additional information.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: "American Blood on American Soil"
President James Polk's desire was for the United States to stretch from sea to shining sea. See what happened when his overatures to Mexico to buy the land north of the Rio Grande River were spurned. Take a brief vote to see if Polk was...
PBS
New Perspectives on the West: Sam Houston (1793 1863)
This biography on Sam Houston focuses his life as an advocate for Indians and his controversial political career.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: The Mexican War, 1803 1848
A map of northern and central Mexico and southern United states showing the area of conflict during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). The map shows the Mexican boundary (under Spain) established by the Louisiana Purchase (1803)...