Role of Annexing Texas and Southwest Territories - Essay Example

After which, the annexation of Texas took place in 1845 when the white settlers fought for freedom from Mexico and petitioned the newly formed Republic of Texas for the Union for statehood. Then the western border between the US and Canada was agreed to be situated at 49o of north latitude. Later, the US won the Mexican war in 1848 and thereby conquered California and New Mexico through the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty. Afterward, by the Gadsden Purchase, Southern Arizona was taken in 1853 from Mexico1.

Thus, by the 1853 agreement, the US achieved the Manifest Destiny that constitutes the contiguous states. Annexing Texas was so important that Manifest Destiny could have ended without it. Texas was neither part of the US nor an independent state since 1836 as Mexico did not affirm Texas’s independence and also, they threatened America of war in case of providing any assistance to Texas. Thus, Texas had to acquire help from other countries in order to pay for their military expenses. Subsequently, Texas signed treaties with France, Belgium, and Holland in 1839 and 1840.

Moreover, Great Britain was also looking forward to Texas so as to control or acquire the United States. Hence, the US annexed Texas so that the foreign powers can be inhibited from harming America. Annexation of Texas led to the war with Mexico that further brought additional territory under US control2 as discussed above. Americans settled the great western frontier after crossing the Mississippi River. A massive westward movement evolved after the discovery of gold in California. The annexation of the southwest territories played a significant role in the expansion of the US without which the Manifest Destiny was unachievable since this annexation resulted in an inchoate union of the conflict territories into a successful democracy stretching throughout a continent full of fertile land, natural resources, and waterways.