The Shape of Texas

The Republic of Texas was an independent nation, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from April 21, 1836, to February 19, 1846. The new Republic was formed by the defeat of Mexico in the Texas Revolution and claimed borders that encompassed an area that included the present State of Texas, as well as parts of present-day New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.

The smaller shape of today’s Texas was defined with the Compromise of 1850, in which Texas gave up its claims to vast tracts of western land in exchange for transferring its crushing public debt to the United States. This debt/land exchange resulted in the modern-day shape of the State of Texas.

Inspired by this history, our “Republic of Texas” product line is available for purchase in the Museum Shop and online.