Delegates meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos adopted and signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, formally separating from Mexico and initiating the creation of the Republic of Texas.
The convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos finalized a constitution for the Republic of Texas, establishing the governmental framework for the new republic.
Texian forces under Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces under Santa Anna at San Jacinto, effectively securing Texas’s independence in military terms and setting the stage for diplomatic settlement.
Texas and Santa Anna (as prisoner) signed public and secret agreements at Velasco to end hostilities and arrange Mexican troop withdrawal; Mexico’s government later repudiated the agreements, leaving recognition disputed.
In the Republic’s first national election after independence, voters ratified the new constitution and overwhelmingly voted in favor of joining the United States—an early push for annexation that would remain politically contentious in the U.S. for years.
Samuel Houston took office as the first President of the Republic of Texas, leading the new nation during its early efforts to secure recognition and pursue annexation.
The U.S. Senate rejected a treaty of annexation with Texas, failing to reach the two-thirds majority required for ratification—an outcome shaped by concerns over slavery’s expansion and the risk of conflict with Mexico.
Anson Jones was inaugurated as the fourth (and final) President of the Republic of Texas, overseeing the diplomacy and internal politics that culminated in annexation.
After the treaty route failed, Congress approved a joint resolution consenting to Texas’s admission as a state under specified conditions, including boundary adjustment and provisions related to slavery and potential subdivision into additional states.
Meeting in Austin, convention delegates formally assented to the U.S. annexation offer by adopting an Ordinance of Annexation, moving the question toward popular ratification and state constitution drafting.
The 1845 convention adopted a proposed state constitution to accompany annexation, providing the governmental structure Texas would use upon admission to the Union.
In a republic-wide referendum, Texans approved annexation and ratified the proposed state constitution and annexation ordinance, authorizing submission of the documents to the U.S. federal government.
Congress approved—and President James K. Polk signed—the joint resolution admitting Texas to the Union, completing annexation through statehood rather than a territorial phase.
In Austin, Republic President Anson Jones formally transferred authority to the new state government, marking the practical end of the Republic of Texas and the start of fully functioning U.S. state governance.
Annexation of the Republic of Texas and Texas Statehood (1836–1846)
