Sam Houston's Military Leadership

Samuel Houston is an important figure in history because of his military leadership, his presidency in the Republic of Texas, and his contributions as a Senator. He was born on March 2, 1793 as the 5th child of Major Samuel Houston and Elizabeth Paxton (tshaonline.org). After Major Houston's death, Elizabeth decided to take her family to Tennessee where Sam and his siblings grew up (shalhp 96). As a curios child, Sam came across an English-speaking Cherokee while walking into the woods; he became friends with them and later lived with the Cherokees where he was named Co-lon-neh or the Raven in English (lsl 17-28). In 1813, he joined the U.S. Army and fought alongside the Cherokees and under the leadership of General Andrew Jackson in the battle

Sam Houston ran for the presidency against Stephen F. Austin; Sam won the presidential race and became the first president of the Republic of Texas (tshaonline.org). During his first term, which lasted from October 22, 1836 to December 10, 1838, he faced many problems such as the fear of the Mexicans invading, the lack of money and supplies, and the rejection of his annexation proposal with the United States (shalhp 57-60). However, during his first term as a president, he accomplished things like trading with European nations and stabilizing the financial situation of Texas (shalhp 60). After serving his first term, he was succeeded by Mirabeau B. Lamar (pbs.org) However, after Lamar's term, Houston was again voted as the president of Texas in which he served from December 13,1841 to December 9, 1844. He, yet again, faced invasions from the Mexican government wanting Texas back; however, the Mexicans were unsuccessful. Houston once again worked for the annexation of Texas, but his term ended before it happened; however, he was elected to serve the U.S. Senate (shalhp

When asked if the United States should declare war against Mexico, he said yes; in 1848, the war ended and the United States gained land from Mexico. As a senator, he was also concerned in keeping the country together. As a result, he supported the Compromise of 1850 which led to the inclusion of California as a free state, to the prohibition of slave trade in Washington DC, and to the returning of runaway slaves to their owners. This made him popular in the North and West but hated in the South (76-79)

In conclusion, Samuel Houston is an important historical figure because of his accomplishments and contributions to the United States of America. As a military leader, he led the decisive battle of San Jacinto which resulted in the capture of Santa Anna and the independence of Texas. As a president of Texas twice, he worked for the annexation of Texas into the United States. As a senator, he helped America gain more land, and helped keep the union together. Samuel Houston is a significant figure in the history of the United States because of his efforts in making the United States of America the way it is