Lesson 92: The Annexation of Texas

     Although Oregon was a major attraction for many Americans who wanted to migrate to the west, Texas, sparsely populated and a part of Mexico at the time, was much closer.
     When Mexico became independence from Spain, the Mexican government invited Americans to settle in Texas, and become citizens.  Americans obliged and many showed up to settle the "new" land.  The Americans outnumbered the Mexicans in Texas and sought to become a state of America.
     In 1833, Americans supported a man named Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to become president.  Unfortunatley, Santa Anna became a dictator over Mexico and destroyed all states' rights.  The Texans revolted in 1836 since their rights were revoked, which lead to the famous battle at the Alamo.
     After the Texans successfully defeated the Mexican army in Texas, Congress argued over the annexation of Texas into the United States.  Finally a decision was made, and in 1845, Texas was admitted into the Union.
   

Lesson 91: The Oregon Country

     During the Age of Reform, United States citzens began to expand westward.  They believed it was their right to bring "liberty and democracy" to the West.  The Oregon Country, located deep within the west, was considered a prosperous land for new beginnings and wealth.  Many people traveled to this place with massive wagon caravans led by wagon masters along what was commonly referred to as the Oregon Trail.
     The journey to Oregon could take up to six months time and many people died along the way.  Although, not by marauding natives as some films and books tell.  The "Indians" that lived in the West more often were seen helping guide these great journeys.
     Oregon was shared by the U.S. and Britain at the time, but what was considered "Manifest Destiny" by many, could not be held back.  The Americans believed it was entirely their right to expand into this new land, even though it was equally the right of the British.  Although England was not happy with the new settlers in "their" territory, they could do nothing about it.