Sam Houston

Definition

Sam Houston was a prominent American politician and military leader who played a crucial role in the independence of Texas from Mexico and its subsequent annexation by the United States. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas and later as a U.S. Senator, advocating for Texas's admission as a state.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sam Houston was a former governor of Tennessee who moved to Texas in the 1830s and became a key figure in the Texas Revolution against Mexico.
2. As commander-in-chief of the Texan forces, Houston led the Texan army to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, securing Texas's independence from Mexico.
3. Houston served as the first president of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1838 and later as its third president from 1841 to 1844.
4. As a U.S. Senator from Texas, Houston played a crucial role in advocating for the annexation of Texas by the United States, which was achieved in 1845.
5. Houston's political career was marked by his opposition to secession and the Confederacy during the American Civil War, leading to his removal as governor of Texas in 1861.

Review Questions

• Describe Sam Houston's role in the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Texas.
  • Sam Houston was a central figure in the Texas Revolution against Mexico. As the commander-in-chief of the Texan forces, he led the Texan army to a decisive victory at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, securing Texas's independence from Mexico. Following this victory, Houston became the first president of the newly established Republic of Texas, serving from 1836 to 1838. His leadership during the revolution and as the inaugural president of the Republic of Texas were instrumental in the creation and early governance of the independent nation of Texas.
• Explain Sam Houston's involvement in the annexation of Texas by the United States.
  • After serving as president of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston transitioned to a role as a U.S. Senator, representing the state of Texas. In this capacity, he played a crucial advocacy role in the annexation of Texas by the United States, which was achieved in 1845. Houston recognized the strategic and economic benefits of Texas becoming a part of the United States and worked tirelessly to promote this outcome, ultimately contributing to the successful incorporation of Texas as the 28th state in the Union.
• Analyze the significance of Sam Houston's political career and its impact on the history of Texas and the United States.
  • Sam Houston's political career spanned multiple pivotal moments in the history of Texas and the United States. As a military leader during the Texas Revolution, he secured the independence of Texas from Mexico, leading to the establishment of the Republic of Texas. As the first and third president of the Republic of Texas, he helped shape the early governance and development of the new nation. Later, as a U.S. Senator, Houston advocated for the annexation of Texas, which brought the state into the United States. Throughout his career, Houston demonstrated a deep commitment to the interests of Texas and the United States, playing a central role in the state's transition from a Mexican territory to an independent republic and ultimately a U.S. state. His leadership and political acumen had a lasting impact on the history and trajectory of both Texas and the broader United States.

Related terms

Texas Revolution: The armed conflict between Mexico and Texas that led to Texas's independence in 1836, with Sam Houston as a key military leader for the Texan forces.

Republic of Texas: The independent nation that existed from 1836 to 1845, with Sam Houston serving as its first and third president.

Annexation of Texas: The process by which Texas was admitted as the 28th state of the United States in 1845, with Sam Houston advocating for this as a U.S. Senator.