Texas annexation

Quick Facts: Who was Texas annexation?

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Texas annexation

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The process of incorporating the Republic of Texas into the United States as its 28th state.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Texas annexation was the incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the United States by joint resolution of Congress, culminating in its admission to the Union as the 28th state on December 29, 1845. The Republic of Texas declared independence from the Republic of Mexico on March 2, 1836. It applied for annexation to the United States the same year, but was rejected by the United States secretary of state, John Forsyth, under President Andrew Jackson. At that time, the majority of the Texian population favored the annexation of the Republic by the United States. The leadership of both major U.S. political parties (the Democrats and the Whigs) opposed the introduction of Texas – a vast slave-holding region – into the volatile political climate of the pro- and anti-slavery sectional controversies in Congress.

Career & Major Achievements

Moreover, they wished to avoid a war with Mexico, whose government had outlawed slavery and refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of its rebellious northern province. With Texas's economic fortunes declining by the early 1840s, the president of the Texas Republic, Sam Houston, arranged talks with Mexico to explore the possibility of securing official recognition of independence, with the United Kingdom mediating. In 1843, U.S. president John Tyler, then unaligned with any political party, decided independently to pursue the annexation of Texas in a bid to gain a base of support for another four years in office. His official motivation was to outmaneuver suspected diplomatic efforts by the British government for the emancipation of slaves in Texas, which would undermine slavery in the United States. Through secret negotiations with the Houston administration, Tyler secured a treaty of annexation in April 1844.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

When the documents were submitted to the U.S. Senate for ratification, the details of the terms of annexation became public and the question of acquiring Texas took center stage in the presidential election of 1844. Pro-Texas-annexation southern Democratic delegates denied their anti-annexation leader Martin Van Buren the nomination at their party's convention in May 1844. In alliance with pro-expansion northern Democratic colleagues, they secured the nomination of James K. Polk, who ran on a pro-Texas Manifest destiny platform. In June 1844, the Senate, with its Whig majority, soundly rejected the Tyler–Texas treaty. Later that year, the pro-annexation Democrat Polk narrowly defeated anti-annexation Whig Henry Clay in the 1844 presidential election.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1836: 1836 Milestone — The Republic of Texas declared independence from the Republic of Mexico on March 2, 1836.
2. 1844: 1844 Milestone — Through secret negotiations with the Houston administration, Tyler secured a treaty of annexation in April 1844.
3. 1845: 1845 Milestone — The Texas annexation was the incorporation of the Republic of Texas into the United States by joint resolution of Congress, culminating in its admission to the Union as the 28th state on December 29, 1845.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Texas annexation

True or False: “Texas was immediately admitted to the Union following its declaration of independence from Mexico in 1836.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While Texas declared independence in 1836, it was not formally admitted until December 29, 1845, and joined as a state on February 19, 1846.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Texas annexation