Texas Annexation

The Texas Annexation of 1845 was the annexation of Texas by the United States of America as the 28th state.

Related Topics:
1845 - Texas - United States of America

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In 1836, the Republic of Texas, having just won its independence from Mexico, voted to be annexed by the US. Initially, when the Texas minister in Washington, D.C., proposed annexation to the administration of Martin Van Buren in August 1837, the request was refused since the administration anticipated that it would lead to war with Mexico. Texas withdrew the annexation offer in 1838, and continued to exist as an independent nation. In 1843, Britain opposed annexation, and President John Tyler decided to support it. Despite the fact that Mexican leader Antonio López de Santa Anna warned that annexation would be "equivalent to a declaration of war against the Mexican Republic," Tyler signed a treaty of annexation with Texas in April 1844. Sam Houston consented to the proposed annexation.

Related Topics:
1836 - Republic of Texas - Mexico - Washington, D.C. - Martin Van Buren - August 1837 - 1838 - 1843 - Britain - John Tyler - Antonio López de Santa Anna - 1844 - Sam Houston

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A factor, always in the background, during the Texas Annexation discussions in the United States was the fear of the north that the slave states would gain representation when Texas was admitted as a slave state.

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After James Polk, a strong supporter of territorial expansion, won the presidency, but before he took office, Congress approved the annexation on 28 February, 1845. On 29 December, 1845, Texas ceased being an independent nation and became a state as defined by the U.S. Constitution. On February 19, 1846, a ceremony was held to mark the official transfer of authority, and President Anson Jones proclaimed: "The final act in this great drama is now performed. The Republic of Texas is no more."

Related Topics:
James Polk - 28 February - 1845 - 29 December - U.S. Constitution - February 19 - 1846 - Anson Jones

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Both the Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas and The Ordinance of Annexation contains this language providing the basis for forming up to four additional states from the present Texas:

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:New States of convenient size not exceeding four in number, in addition to said State of Texas and having sufficient population, may, hereafter by the consent of said State, be formed out of the territory thereof, which shall be entitled to admission under the provisions of the Federal Constitution.

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This clause was never enacted, and Texas remained a single state.

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