05/13/2025
: Texas didn't "take" the west in the sense of a single, decisive action. Instead, it was a process fueled by the annexation of Texas to the U.S. in 1845, a border dispute with Mexico, and ultimately, the Mexican-American War. This expansion extended the U.S. border westward, encompassing present-day states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Here's a more detailed look:
1. Annexation and Border Dispute:
In 1845, the United States annexed Texas, which had declared independence from Mexico.
Mexico refused to recognize Texas's independence and considered the territory a renegade Mexican state.
A key point of contention was the border: Mexico claimed the Nueces River, while the U.S. claimed the Rio Grande as the western boundary of Texas.
2. The Mexican-American War:
The dispute over the border, along with other factors, led to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848).
The war resulted in the U.S. gaining significant territory from Mexico, including what is now California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.
3. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo:
The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, which officially ceded this land to the United States.
The Rio Grande became the established western boundary of Texas.
4. Continued Expansion and the Compromise of 1850:
The Mexican Cession brought in new territories, raising questions about slavery.
The Compromise of 1850 addressed these issues, admitting California as a free state and allowing other territories to decide on slavery through popular sovereignty.
Texas also ceded some of its territory to the federal government as part of the compromise.
In essence, the annexation of Texas, the border disputes, and the subsequent war played a crucial role in the westward expansion of the United States, solidifying U.S. control over vast territories that would later become states.
Researching World ๐ History ๐๐๐ง๐พโ๐ป๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ป
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