How Texas Became a State
Everything’s bigger in Texas—including its history. From daring revolutions and dramatic battles to backroom deals and debates over slavery, the story of how Texas became a state has enough twists and turns to fill a Hollywood movie. It’s a tale of grit, determination, and, let’s be honest, a fair amount of chaos. So, grab your ten-gallon hat as we dive into the wild history of how Texas went from Mexican territory to the Lone Star State.
Map of Mexico's boundaries as they were in 1835. The areas in red show Mexican states with strong independence movements.
The Land Rush
Back in the early 1820s, Texas wasn’t Texas—it was part of Mexico. After winning independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico opened up its northern frontier to settlers. The plan? Fill the wide-open spaces with hardworking farmers who could fend off raiding Comanches and build up the economy. Enter Stephen F. Austin, also known as the "Father of Texas," who brought the first group of Anglo-American settlers—about 300 families known as the "Old Three Hundred."
The settlers came looking for cheap land, freedom, and opportunity. Mexico gave them what they wanted—but with a few strings attached. Settlers had to convert to Catholicism and become Mexican citizens. Easy enough, right? Well, not quite. Many settlers ignored these rules, bringing their Protestant faith and a rebellious streak with them. They also brought something else—slavery, even though Mexico had outlawed it in 1829.
July 16, 1822, Brazos River, Coahuila and Texas
Dear Friend,
On arrival at the Brazos, we found two families, Garrett and Hibbings, who had got there a few days before us, and were engaged in erecting cabins. We were, all of us, much pleased with the situation of this place, and decided to remain here for the present. As far as we have seen, we are well pleased with this part of the country. The land is rich and fertile! You would scarcely believe me, were I to tell you of the vast herds of buffalo which abound here. You, in Kentucky, cannot conceive of the beauty of one of our prairies in the spring. One must see it to get even a faint idea of its beauty.
Yours truly,
William Bluford DeWees (W.B.D.)
Trouble Brews: Mexican Laws and Texan Rebellion
As more Americans poured into Texas, tensions started to rise. Mexican leaders worried about losing control of the territory and tried to crack down. In 1830, Mexico banned further immigration from the U.S. and slapped taxes on American goods. Texans weren’t thrilled. They wanted local autonomy, fewer restrictions, and, for many, the right to keep their slaves.
But Mexico’s fears about losing Texas weren’t unfounded. Mexico saw Texas as a weak spot—too far from Mexico City and too exposed to Native American raids to be easily controlled. Add in the fact that most of the settlers spoke English, followed American customs, and often ignored Mexican laws, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble. Mexican officials worried that these settlers were more loyal to the U.S. than to Mexico, and they weren’t wrong.
Another big concern? If Texas could successfully break away, what would stop other regions—like California or New Mexico—from doing the same? Mexico’s leaders knew they couldn’t afford to lose more land, especially not to a powerful neighbor like the United States, which had its eye on expansion.
Tensions exploded in 1835, when Texans openly rebelled. The situation had been simmering like a burrito in the microwave—fine at first, but bound to explode if left unchecked. They were fed up with Mexican restrictions, angry about the government’s attempts to enforce laws, and ready to fight for their independence. What started as small protests quickly turned into full-on battles, setting the stage for the Texas Revolution.
Drawing of the Battle of Gonzales - 1835. Texas fighters prepare to take on Santa Anna and the Mexican Army. They even decorated their cannon for the occasion.
The Alamo: Fight to the Last Man
No story about Texas would be complete without the Battle of the Alamo—arguably the most famous standoff in American history. Picture it: a crumbling old Spanish mission, surrounded by high stone walls, sitting in the heart of San Antonio. Inside, about 200 Texan defenders prepared for a siege, patching up holes in the walls, stockpiling ammunition, and sharpening their knives.
The defenders included famous names like Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William B. Travis. Bowie, already gravely ill, reportedly propped himself up with pillows so he could keep fighting from his cot. Travis drew a line in the sand with his sword, daring anyone who wanted to stay and fight to step across it. Almost everyone did.
Outside the walls, Santa Anna’s army of roughly 1,800 soldiers was camped out, flying a red flag—no mercy. They fired cannons day and night, hoping to break the defenders’ spirits. But the Texans refused to give up. At night, they sang songs and sent out scouts to gather news.
The final attack came before dawn on March 6, 1836. Santa Anna’s men swarmed the walls, using ladders to climb over. The defenders fired their rifles until they were out of ammo, then fought hand-to-hand with knives, swords, and even their fists. By sunrise, it was over. Every Texan fighter was dead.
The aftermath was brutal. Santa Anna ordered the bodies burned in huge pyres, a final insult to the fallen defenders. Yet, their sacrifice wasn’t in vain. News of the massacre spread like wildfire, and "Remember the Alamo!" became the battle cry that inspired Texans to rally for independence.
This sketch of the Alamo draw about 20 years after the Battle of the Alamo, shows heavy cannon damage to the walls. The church became a monument to Texan independence and today is a national monument.
The Texas Republic: Lone Star Independence
Just weeks after the Alamo fell, Texan forces under Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The battle lasted just 18 minutes, but the aftermath was brutal. Enraged Texans captured Santa Anna and forced him to sign treaties recognizing Texas independence.
For the next nine years, Texas operated as its own country—the Republic of Texas. It had its own president (Sam Houston), flag, and constitution. But independence came with challenges. The new republic struggled financially, faced constant threats from Mexico, and had to deal with conflicts between settlers and Native American tribes.
The new Republic of Texas doubled its size .
Annexation Drama: Texas Joins the U.S.
From the start, Texas wanted to join the United States. Many settlers were originally Americans, after all, and they shared cultural and economic ties with their neighbors to the north. But there was a catch—slavery.
Texas allowed slavery, and adding it to the U.S. threatened to upset the delicate balance between free states and slave states. Northern politicians opposed annexation, fearing it would expand the power of slaveholders. Southern leaders, on the other hand, saw Texas as a golden opportunity to strengthen their influence.
The debate dragged on until 1845, when President James K. Polk, a strong supporter of Manifest Destiny, pushed for Texas to join the Union. After years of hesitation, Congress approved the annexation, and Texas officially became the 28th state on December 29, 1845.
Why It Matters
Texas’s journey to statehood wasn’t just about guns and battles. Its annexation as a slave state highlighted the deepening divide between North and South over slavery. It reignited tensions that had been simmering since the Missouri Compromise and set the stage for debates that would later erupt into the Civil War.
The Mexican-American War that followed Texas’s annexation not only expanded U.S. territory but also intensified disputes over whether new territories would allow slavery. These debates fueled sectionalism and pushed the nation closer to the breaking point.
So the next time you hear someone shout "Don’t mess with Texas," remember—it’s more than just a slogan. It’s a battle cry that echoes through history, reminding us of the conflicts and compromises that shaped America.
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