The Constitution and the Annexation of Texas

Abstract

The annexation of Texas was by any standard a pivotal moment in the political history of the United States. The decision to add Texas to the Union was either directly or indirectly responsible for the acquisition of all of the territory of the United States south and west of the Louisiana Purchase. Annexation was also a critical issue in the presidential election of 1844 and the more general political struggle between Whigs and Democrats. Moreover, the dispute over Texas was a flashpoint in the evolving sectional conflict between the representatives of the free states and slave states.' The discussions of the issue in Congress had a dual aspect. Many of the arguments both for and against annexation were overtly phrased in terms of expediency. In addition, however, the debate over Texas had an important constitutional dimension, raising fundamental questions about the structure of the nation. These constitutional issues have never been adequately addressed by the commentators. This article will provide a compact but complete analysis of the constitutional aspects of the struggle over Texas. The article