1. Independence for Texas
Chapter 12, Section 2
Independence for Texas

2. A Clash of Cultures
Davy Crockett, of Tennessee, went to Texas in 1835 to help the Texans win their independence from Mexico
The Americans thought they had Texas in the Louisiana Purchase, but gave up claims to the land in the Adams-Onis Treaty

3. Stephen F. Austin “Father of Texas”
Organized the first land grant colony in Texas
He served as a spokesperson for the territory with the Mexican government
Its capital city, Austin, is named after him

4. Land Grants
The Spanish wanted to promote the settlement of Texas so they offered vast tracts of land to people who agreed to bring their families and settle there.
Moses Austin received the first land grant in 1821
Before he could establish his colony, he died of pneumonia
His son carried out his land grant for him
The colonists had to: learn Spanish, become Mexican citizens, and convert to Catholicism

5. Growing Tension Americans in Texas outnumbered Mexicans
Worried that the Americans would take over, the Mexican government ordered a stop to immigration from the U.S.
Additionally, they placed a tax on trade with the U.S.
This did NOT make the Texans happy, as they had depended on the U.S. for trade

6. Attempt at Reconciliation
In 1833, General Lopez de Santa Anna became president of Mexico
He agreed to remove the ban on American settlers, but not to make Texas a separate state
Stephen F. Austin called for independence and was thrown in jail
During this, Santa Anna overthrew the Mexican constitution and named himself dictator

7. The Struggle for Independence
The Texans had a white flag that said, “Come and take it!” at the Battle of Gonzales
Davy Crockett, a number of African Americans and Tejanos joined the fight against Mexico
The Texans scored an important victory when they liberated San Antonio from the control of the Mexican forces
But they were not preparing for Santa Anna, like they should have been

8. The Battle of the Alamo
Santa Anna marched his army to San Antonio, where the Texans occupied a small mission called The Alamo
Only a few women and children survived to tell of the battle
William Travis, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie and all other Texas defenders were killed

9. Texas Declares Independence
On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence and established the Republic of Texas
Sam Houston was named as commander in chief of the Texas forces
After several thousand Texas soldiers surrendered at Goliad, they were executed a few days later under Santa Anna’s orders

10. The Battle of San Jacinto
The Texans cried, “Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad!”
They captured and killed over a thousand soldiers, including capturing Santa Anna!
On May 14, 1836, Santa Anna signed a treaty that recognized the independence of Texas

11. The Lone Star Republic Sam Houston was elected president
He asked the U.S. to annex Texas
Jackson refused because they wanted to be a slave state and that would upset the balance between free and slave states in Congress

12. The Question of Annexation
Southerners wanted to annex Texas
Northerners did not
Van Buren also did not risk annexation
John Tyler supported adding Texas to the Union and persuaded Texas to apply for readmission
The Senate was divided over the issue

13. Texas Becomes a State
James K. Polk favored annexation and the whole country was on the “Manifest Destiny” train!
On December 29th, 1845, Texas officially became a state in the United States