Texas+and+Oregon+-+KristianM

At first, Mexico had encouraged Americas to settle the Mexican region of Texas. Arguments started to happen when the Americans rejected the Mexicans offer. Mexico closed its borders in 1830 to immigration. Stephen Austin and Sam Houston tried to negotiate the policy changes. When they were turned down multiple times they decided to separate Texas and create their own government. Months later citizens of Texas were able to vote on joining the United States. Texas wanted to be a slave state though and people in the Congress opposed it. So Mexico still tried to claim Texas. For the presidential race, Texas statehood was a big issue. Nominee, James K. Polk, promised to annex not oly Texas but also Oregon. He promised to buy California from Mexico. This promised to further Manifest Destiny while maintaining the delicate balance between free and slave states. Henry Clay opposed annexing Texas but would support if it didn't cause a war with Mexico. James K. Polk later won the election. Congress passed a joint resolution to annex Texas and in December 1845 Texas became a state. Six months later Britain and United States agreed to divide Oregon. Britain took the Canadian province of British Columbia, and Americans received land that later became Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.