Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: Lamar and the Rise of Texas Nationalism
The pride Texans feel about their state "can be traced to roots in the Republic of Texas era." Read about this era and the president who wanted Texas to stand alone and not become part of the U.S., and check out a map and other primary...
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 Historical Association: Annexation Debate to State [Pdf] Lesson Plan](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Texas State Historical Association: Annexation Debate to State [Pdf] Lesson Plan")
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Annexation Debate to State [Pdf]
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson, students examine the significant people involved in the annexation of Texas and...
Digital History
Digital History: The Texas Question in American Politics
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.
Texas State Historical Association
Texas State Historical Association: Counties and County Seats [Pdf]
An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson, they look at the history of a Texas county and its courthouse and fill in a data...
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]
Texas Public Broadcasting
Texas Pbs: Texas Our Texas: Early Statehood 1845 1861
Examines the circumstances surrounding Texas's entry into the Union in 1845 as a slave state. It was an uneasy union, with ongoing controversy around the issue of slavery. This lasted through the Mexican-American War and helped to...
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.
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
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.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: United States History Map: The Nation Expands
After examining a map showing the expansion of the United States, click to read about each addition to the country and see where that addition is. Play Expansion Concentration to test your skills.
Digital History
Digital History: Western Expansion: Conclusion
A good overview of the territorial expansion and its results that occurred in the United States over the first half of the 19th century.
US Department of State
U.s. Department of State: Office of the Historian: Milestones: 1830 1860
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.
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...
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...
Curated OER
Perry Castaneda Map Collection: Admission of States and Territorial Acquisitions
Here's a map to show you when states were added to the Union. It also shows territories and when they were acquired.