Could Texas Thrive As Independent Nation?

When you compare Texas to the rest of the other states in the US, Texas is somewhat unique among all the others.  While outsiders may chalk this statement to my bias towards the state, it really is true.  Texas is a state where we could easily stand as our own independent country.  In fact, it actually briefly was at some point in its history before it officially joined the United States in 1845.

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The Republic of Texas

From 1836 to 1846, Texas existed as an independent sovereign nation.  It was independent of Mexico and also not a part of the US.  After a lengthy and bloody war with Mexico, the Republic of Texas broke away from Mexico and declared its independence, in which a constitution was created, and former general Sam Houston was named as its first president.  The capital was moved multiple times before finally winding up in Austin, Texas.

Texas Economy

In 2024, Texas averaged a GDP of over 2.7 trillion dollars and is home to the most Fortune 500 companies in the country. It was also responsible for exporting 440 billion dollars in exports every year.  Having said that, Texas could certainly use this as a fiscal foundation to fund basic functionality as an independent nation.  Some of the challenges Texas would face would be that it would need to develop its own currency, along with trade policies and procedures.

Texas Power Grid

Texas has a dedicated power grid called ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), and it powers roughly 90% of the state.   This is crucial since an independent Texas nation would not have to outsource power from other nations like the US or Mexico.

Texas Military

It is unclear about the logistics of this hypothetical situation; however, if all US military assets in Texas were annexed to the newly formed Texas military, then the nation of Texas would have a significant military force spread out through the vast majority of the country.

Texas Food Sources

Excluding possible imports, Texas alone could sustain feeding its people.  There is already a significant agricultural infrastructure and could survive off livestock, Texas farms, and even take advantage of bounty brought in from The Gulf of Mexico.

Conclusion

Not every state could say that it could survive independently as its own nation.  However, when it comes to Texas, it would easily be doable.  Granted, it is highly unlikely that the United States would ever allow Texas to break away, but it is nice to know we would be perfectly okay on our own if that day ever happened.