why was Texas annexation in 1845 a turning point in Texas and U.S. history?
The annexation of Texas in 1845 was a significant turning point in both Texas and U.S. history for several reasons:
1. Expansion of U.S. Territory: The annexation of Texas allowed the United States to expand its territorial boundaries westward significantly. Texas was a vast territory, and its annexation added millions of acres of land to the United States, setting the stage for future westward expansion.
2. Conflict with Mexico: Texas had declared its independence from Mexico in 1836 and had been an independent republic until annexation. The annexation of Texas further strained the already tense relationship between the United States and Mexico, leading to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). This war resulted in the United States acquiring vast territories such as California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and parts of Colorado and Utah.
3. Slavery Issue: Texas was a slave-holding region, and its annexation played a crucial role in the deepening divide between the North and the South over the issue of slavery. The annexation of Texas as a slave state further fueled the tensions between the abolitionist North and the pro-slavery South, eventually leading to the American Civil War in 1861.
4. Manifest Destiny: The annexation of Texas was seen as a manifestation of the United States' belief in manifest destiny – the idea that it was the nation's destiny to expand its territory from coast to coast. The annexation was considered a crucial step in achieving this goal, solidifying the United States' role as a continental power.
Overall, the annexation of Texas in 1845 was a turning point because it expanded U.S. territory, escalated conflicts with Mexico, intensified the slavery issue, and symbolized the fulfillment of the concept of manifest destiny.