A significant figure in early American and Texan history, he was a 19th-century American politician and soldier. He is most notably remembered for his role in bringing Texas into the United States. Serving as the first and third President of the Republic of Texas, he later became a U.S. Senator and Governor of Texas. His complex legacy is marked by his leadership during the Texas Revolution, his advocacy for annexation to the United States, and his later opposition to the Confederacy during the Civil War.
Understanding his life and career is crucial for Advanced Placement United States History students because it provides insight into westward expansion, the complexities of American identity, and the divisive issues of slavery and states’ rights that led to the Civil War. His story encapsulates many of the key themes examined in the APUSH curriculum, including Manifest Destiny, sectionalism, and the evolving relationship between the federal government and individual states.
