Texas Revolution/Republic Timeline 1836-1845

Texas Independence from Mexico

Mar 1, 1836

At the Convention of 1836, Texans write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. Sam Houston is named commander of the Texas military.

Texas loses the Battle of the Alamo

Mar 6, 1836

After a 13 day attack on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio, Mexican soldiers kill all 189 Texans trying to defund the Alamo.

Texas rallies for Independence after the Goliad Massacre

Mar 27, 1836

After 400 Texans surrender at the Battle of Goliad, Mexican General Santa Anna orders them executed. The killings make outrage Texans rally even more for their Independence.

Texas wins the Battle of San Jacinto and their Independence

Apr 21, 1836

The Republic of Texas and General Santa Anna sign the Velasco Treaties, which end the revolution. However, the Mexican government says that Santa Anna has not right to sign the treaties and does not agree to them.

Texas votes new Government officials

Sep 5, 1836

Texans vote on new government officers, national constitution, and the question of annexation to the United States. Vote overwhelmingly in favor of annexation

Sam Houston named President of the Republic of Texas

Oct 22, 1836

Virginia native Sam Houston becomes the first president of Texas after it wins its independence from Mexico. He later becomes the governor of Texas when it joins the United States.

Santa Anna leaves

Nov 25, 1836

Santa Anna leaves Columbia for Washington taking with him three Texans who carried a confidential letter from Houston to Jackson explaining that the Republic intended on sending an official diplomatic representative to Washington and expressing a great desire that Texas shall be annexed to the United States.

Resolution to Recognize

Jan 11, 1837

Resolution to recognize Texas introduced in the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Recognizes the Republic of Texas

Mar 11, 1837

U.S. Recognizes the Republic of Texas, the last act of the Jackson Presidency.

Restoration of Freedom

Mar 11, 1837

Santa Anna, home in Mexico, renounces all guarantees made to the Republic of Texas as a condition to his restoration of freedom.

Prohibited Annexation

Mar 27, 1837

U.S. Secretary of State reports that treaty agreements with Mexico prohibited the U.S.'s annexing Texas.

Formal Annexation offer

Aug 4, 1837

Texas minister to the United States presents U.S. government a formal offer from the Republic of Texas to annex itself to the United States.

John Quincy Adams Speaks

1838

John Quincy Adams speaks against the annexation of Texas all morning, every morning in the U.S. House of Representatives

Intro to Tripartite

Jan 4, 1838

Senator William C. Preston introduces a resolution for a tripartite treaty between the U.S./Mexico/Texas in the U.S. Senate.

Tripartite Tabled

Jun 14, 1838

The tripartite treaty is tabled

Withdrawal of offer

Oct 12, 1838

Texas withdraws the offer of annexation because of the U.S. Congress' lack of action on the proposal.

Withdrawal Approval

Jan 23, 1839

Texas Congress passes joint resolution approving of President Sam Houston's withdrawal of annexation proposal.

Proposed Commerce Treaty

Mar 3, 1843

U.S. Senate passes a proposed commerce treaty with the Republic of Texas. However, the Senate's amendment of the original treaty terms causes the Texas Congress to reject the final version of the treaty.

Armistice Decloration

Jun 15, 1843

Sam Houston issues proclamation declaring armistice between Mexico and Texas

Annexation Question

Jan 1, 1844

President Houston submits annexation question to Texas Congress, then instructs minister to the U.S. to resume annexation talks.

Annexation Treaty

Apr 11, 1844

An annexation treaty between the U.S. and Texas signed between the two diplomats.

Treaty Rejection

Jun 8, 1844

U.S. Senate rejects the treaty, 35 to 16

Benton Annexation Bill Tabled

Jun 13, 1844

U.S. Senate votes to table the Benton Annexation Bill.

Joint Resolution Passes

Jan 25, 1845

Joint Resolution, with amendment to be voted on by the House of Representatives.

Joint Resolution passes again

Feb 27, 1845

Joint Resolution, with amendments to be voted on by the House, passes U.S. Senate 27 to 25

Joint Resolution adopted

Feb 28, 1845

House adopts Senate version of the Joint Resolution to annex the republic of Texas 132 to 76.

Annexation Resolution

Mar 1, 1845

President Tyler signs annexation resolution

Annexation Offer

Mar 3, 1845

Annexation offer sent to Texas President Anson Jones.

Cuevas-Smith Treaty

May 19, 1845

Cuevas-Smith treaty between Mexico and Texas singed guaranteeing Texas independance so long as it remains a separate republic.

Texas Congress meets for proposal

Jun 16, 1845

Texas Congress meets in special session to consider both the proposed Mexican treaty and the annexation resolution form the U.S. Congress. U.S. offer accepted.

Convention Consideration

Jul 4, 1845

Convention meets to consider both the Mexican treaty and the U.S. annexation resolution. U.S. offer accepted by Convention

State Constitution Submitted

Oct 13, 1845

Annexation ordinance and state constitution submitted to the Texas voters for approval. (The vote tally on November 10, 1845, was 4,254 to 267 in favor of annexation; the total vote, compiled January 1, 1846, was 7,664 to 430 in favor of annexation.)

Joint Resolution Voting

Dec 16, 1845

U.S. House votes to annex Texas by Joint Resolution, 141 to 58, 21 abstaining

Joint Resolution Approved

Dec 22, 1845

U.S. Senate approves joint resolution for admission of Texas as a state 31 to 14, 7 abstaining.

Texas becomes part of the United States

Dec 29, 1845

The United States annexes Texas, making it the one state in the Union that was its own nation before becoming a state.

Joint Resolution Signed

Dec 29, 1845

President Polk signs the Joint Resolution. Texas officially the 28th state on this date