In the Republic of Texas (1836-1845), students in grades 6-8 will explore the challenging early years of Texas as an independent republic. Following the Texas Revolution, the newly formed nation faced numerous difficulties, including crippling debt, the constant threat of Mexican invasion, and the refusal of the United States to annex Texas. This book delves into how the Republic navigated these challenges while striving to establish itself globally.

It was led by its first president, Sam Houston, the Republic of Texas, who aimed to stabilize its economy and seek international recognition. Houston worked to establish peace treaties with Native American tribes in Texas. Still, his efforts to gain recognition from European nations were largely unsuccessful, primarily due to the Republic’s legalization of slavery. Without foreign recognition, Texas struggled to secure loans and market its primary export, cotton, deepening the nation’s financial woes.

Houston’s successor, Mirabeau Lamar, took a more aggressive approach. He abandoned efforts for peace with Native Americans, launching wars that drove many tribes from East Texas but further increased the Republic’s debt. Lamar’s attempts to gain recognition from European powers also failed, and his disastrous Santa Fe expedition only worsened the Republic’s standing. The collapse of cotton prices during the late 1830s compounded the economic struggles, leaving the Republic in a dire financial situation.

When Sam Houston resumed the presidency in the early 1840s, Texas struggled to defend itself from Mexico. In 1842, Mexican forces invaded and briefly occupied San Antonio twice. Faced with growing instability, Houston focused on annexing Texas to the United States, seeing it as the best path forward for the struggling nation. His efforts ultimately succeeded under the leadership of Anson Jones in 1845, when Texas was annexed into the United States.

Aligned with US History curriculum standards for grades 6-8, this book provides an insightful look at the political, economic, and military challenges faced by the Republic of Texas. Through engaging narratives and historical details, students will gain a deeper understanding of how the early Republic’s struggles shaped the future of Texas as it transitioned from an independent nation to a part of the United States.