After winning independence from Mexico in 1836, Texas became its own country. It was called the Republic of Texas. For several years, Texas had its own government, president, and laws.

Even though Texas was independent, many Texans wanted to join the United States. This was called annexation. Annexation means one country joins another country. In this case, Texas wanted to become part of the United States.

Why Some Texans Wanted Annexation

There were several reasons Texans supported annexation. Texas had money problems and debt from the fight for independence. Many people also wanted protection from possible attacks by Mexico, which still said Texas belonged to Mexico.

Joining the United States could give Texas more safety and support. It could also help Texas grow. At the same time, not everyone agreed. Some people worried annexation could lead to war with Mexico.

The United States Looks West

Texas statehood was also connected to westward expansion. During this time, the United States was growing farther west. Many Americans believed the nation should spread across the continent.

This idea was called Manifest Destiny. It was the belief that the United States was meant to expand westward. Because of this belief, many people in the United States supported adding Texas.

A timeline is a tool that puts events in order. A timeline of Texas history helps us see what happened first, next, and last. First, Texas became independent in 1836. Later, Texas joined the United States in 1845.

How Texas Joined the United States

In 1845, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution. This was an official action that offered annexation to Texas. Texas leaders and voters then had to decide whether to accept the offer.

Before joining, Texas had to create a state constitution. A state constitution is a plan of government for a state. The people of Texas approved this plan, and that was an important step toward statehood.

Later in 1845, Texas officially became the 28th state. This was a big change in Texas history. Texas was no longer an independent nation. It was now part of the United States.

Why This Change Mattered

Texas joining the United States was important for both Texas and the nation. For Texas, annexation brought the support of a larger country. For the United States, it added a large new area during a time of growth.

But annexation also increased conflict with Mexico. Mexico did not accept that Texas had joined the United States. This disagreement helped lead to the Mexican-American War.

When we study these events in order, we can better understand Texas history. Texas moved from an independent republic to a U.S. state in less than ten years. That change shaped Texas and the United States for years to come.