* Texas Revolution (1835-1836): Texas, which was then part of Mexico, declared independence in 1835 and fought a war of independence against Mexico. In 1836, the Texans won the Battle of San Jacinto and established the independent Republic of Texas.
* Manifest Destiny: During this period, the United States was driven by a concept known as "Manifest Destiny," which expressed the belief that America had a divine right and obligation to expand its territory across the continent. Texas, with its vast land and resources, became an attractive target for American expansion.
* Economic Interests: The southern United States, particularly slave-holding states, saw Texas as a potential new territory where slavery could be expanded. The annexation of Texas would bolster the political power of the pro-slavery faction in Congress and help maintain the balance between slave and free states.
* Negotiations and Diplomacy: The United States began negotiating with the Republic of Texas for annexation in the early 1840s. President John Tyler, who favored annexation, signed the Treaty of Annexation in 1844. However, the treaty faced significant opposition in the US Senate and was not ratified.
* Mexican-American War (1846-1848): Mexico, which had never recognized Texas' independence, viewed annexation as an act of aggression and declared war on the United States in 1846. The Mexican-American War ended in 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which officially ceded Texas and other territories in the Southwest to the United States.
In summary, Texas became a part of the US through a combination of the Texas Revolution, Manifest Destiny, economic interests, negotiations, and ultimately, the Mexican-American War, which resulted in the acquisition of Texas and other southwestern territories by the United States.