After Texas joined the United States in 1845, it was a slave state, and its admission contributed to the ongoing tensions between slave and free states in the nation. Texas, which had declared independence from Mexico in 1836, allowed slavery and sought to join the U.S. primarily to solidify its economy and security.
The impact of Texas joining the U.S. was multifaceted:
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Military Support: Texas had a strong militia and provided military support, which was significant in the context of the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), as the land and resources of Texas were critical for this conflict.
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Economic Support: Texas contributed economically through its agricultural output, particularly cotton, which was heavily reliant on slave labor. This bolstered the economy of the Southern states and was crucial for the burgeoning cotton industry in the U.S.
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Federal Government: Many Texans believed in a strong federal government that could defend their interests, particularly against Mexican incursions and the threat of colonial interests from foreign powers like Great Britain.
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International Relations: The United States was keen to absorb Texas partly to prevent Great Britain from establishing a foothold in North America. There were concerns that Britain might support Texas as an independent colony, which the U.S. sought to avoid by offering military and diplomatic protection.
The annexation of Texas intensified the debate over slavery and contributed to the sectional conflicts that would eventually lead to the Civil War. The admission of Texas as a slave state also prompted the Compromise of 1850, which attempted to address the balance of power between slave and free states and manage the admission of new states from the territories acquired through the Mexican-American War.