Republic of Texas

The Republic of Texas emerged after the Texas Revolution and remained an independent state until annexation by the United States. Its government faced debt, disputed borders, tension with Mexico and continuing conflict between settlers and Indigenous nations.

The republic claimed a western boundary extending to the Rio Grande, including territory controlled by Mexico and Indigenous peoples. Limited resources encouraged volunteer expeditions, ranger companies and improvised military policies rather than stable frontier administration.

Dead Man’s Walk places Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call inside this unstable republic, where youthful Texas Rangers are drawn into ventures that combine defence, expansion and private ambition.