Question

1. complete the following chart of each groups thoughts on annexation.

thoughts about annexation
group | in favor of annexation | against annexation
sam houston & his supporters | |
mirabeau lamar & his supporters | |
northerners & whig politicians | |
southerners & democrat politicians | |

1. which groups ideas about annexation do you think benefits texas the best? why?

Explanation:

For question 7, the details are based on historical stances regarding Texas annexation in the mid-1800s:

1. Sam Houston & his supporters: Favor annexation for economic stability, military protection from Mexico, and alignment with U.S. systems.
2. Mirabeau Lamar & his supporters: Oppose annexation, wanting Texas to remain an independent, expansionist nation separate from the U.S.
3. Northerners & Whig politicians: Oppose annexation over fears it would expand slavery, upset the free-slave state balance in Congress, and trigger war with Mexico.
4. Southerners & Democrat politicians: Favor annexation to expand slavery, gain more political power in Congress, and access Texas's land/resources.

For question 8, the choice is justified by long-term stability: Houston's push for annexation provided Texas with critical military defense against ongoing Mexican threats, resolved crippling debt, and integrated Texas into a larger economic system that supported growth.

Answer:

Completed Chart:

Group	In Favor of Annexation	Against Annexation	Thoughts About Annexation
Mirabeau Lamar & his supporters	-	Supported: Advocated for Texas as an independent, expansionist "Empire of Texas"	Wanted Texas to remain sovereign, expand westward, and avoid being subsumed by the U.S.
Northerners & Whig politicians	-	Supported: Feared expansion of slavery, upsetting congressional state balance, and war with Mexico	Opposed annexation to prevent adding another slave state, which would shift political power to the South, and avoid diplomatic conflict
Southerners & Democrat politicians	Supported: Wanted to expand slavery, gain congressional power, and access Texas land	-	Saw annexation as a way to expand the slave economy, increase Southern political representation, and acquire valuable agricultural land

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Question 8:

Sam Houston & his supporters' ideas benefited Texas the most. Annexation resolved Texas's crippling post-independence debt, provided military defense against Mexican incursions, and integrated Texas into the U.S. economy, laying the groundwork for long-term stability and growth that independent Texas could not sustain on its own.