Why was annexation of texas such a controversial policy

Not only would Texas represent another slave state, but the nature of Texas society did not appeal to cultivated New Englanders.

William Ellery Channing, pastor of the Federal Street Church in Boston, wrote to Henry Clay on the issue in August Having unfolded the argument against the annexation of Texas from the criminality of the revolt, I proceed to a second very solemn consideration, namely, that by this act our country will enter on a career of encroachment, war, and crime, and will merit and incur the punishment and woe of aggravated wrongdoing. The seizure of Texas will not stand alone.

It will darken our future history. It will be linked by an iron necessity to long continued deeds of rapine and blood. Ages may not see the catastrophe of the tragedy, the first scene of which we are so ready to enact. It is strange that nations should be so much more rash than individuals; and this, in the face of experience which has been teaching from the beginning of society, that, of all precipitate and criminal deeds, those perpetrated by nations are the most fruitful of misery.

The US would win and acquire a huge plot of land through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in , as well as the Gadsden purchase in While the territories won provided more land for the US, it brought about very heated debates about who should be a slave state and who should be free, and eventually the Civil War broke out. Impact on the US Mexican Territory lost.

Texas History from Mexican Territory to a U. Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas , ed. The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style , 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry. All copyrighted materials included within the Handbook of Texas Online are in accordance with Title 17 U. The TSHA makes every effort to conform to the principles of fair use and to comply with copyright law.

If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. A History of the French Legation in Texas. Texas and the Mexican War. Home Handbook of Texas Entries Annexation.

Calhoun, argued that Great Britain was scheming to annex Texas and transform it into a haven for runaway slaves. In fact, British abolitionists, but not the British government, were working to convince Texas to outlaw slavery in exchange for British foreign aid. Sam Houston played along with this ploy by conducting highly visible negotiations with the British government.

If the United States would not annex Texas, Houston warned, Texas would seek the support of "some other friend.