9.3 Expansion in Texas

Spain’s American Empire 1800s: Spanish colonies rebelled and established independent governments

The Mission System Prior to Mexican independence Spanish missionaries had tried to convert Natives and have them settle on mission land that was protected by Spanish soldiers Newly independent Mexico Ended the system and tried to force the NAs to remain as unpaid laborers

The NAs response Terrorize Mexican and American settlers

Mexico’s issues Government struggled from the beginning Mexican government found it difficult to control the border providences (problems between Natives and settlers) Wanted more Mexicans to move to the northern border

Mexico had a solid trade relationship with the United States

Mexico looked to the USA In order to protect its northern territory, the Mexican government encouraged Americans to settle in TX Empresarios received huge land grants, which they then sold to Americans for VERY CHEAP – Americans only had to pledge to obey Mexican law and observe the Roman Catholic Church 1830: More Americans lived in TX than Mexicans!

Stephen Austin The most successful empresario Established Texas’s Old Three Hundred

2 very different groups Mexicans Catholic Anti slavery Americans Protestant Pro-slavery

Americans ignored Mexican laws and people became suspicious that the US wanted to annex Texas

By 1830 Mexico closed its borders to Americans and placed a huge tariff on American goods

But couldn’t stop American immigration 1835: Texas’s population = – 3,500 Tejanos – 12,000 Natives – 5,000 African Americans – 45,000 Anglos

Meanwhile… Mexico’s government was growing more unstable Stephen Austin met with President Santa Anna and petitioned for more self- government for TX Austin was arrested for inciting revolution Santa Anna revoked local powers in TX and rebellions erupted

Texas Revolution

Santa Anna led an army of 4,000 into TX Austin called Texans to arm themselves 1835: Austin drove the Mexican forces out…

Santa Anna responded by storming the Alamo- ALL of the defenders were killed

March 1836 Santa Anna executed 300 rebels at Goliad

Texans rallied behind the Alamo and Goliad

Sam Houston Led troops at the Battle of Jacinto – Texans killed 630 Mexicans in 18 minutes and captured Santa Anna Signed the Treaty of Velasco: Texas was independent! 1 st president of Texas

Texas Enters the Union 1838: Houston invited the USA to annex TX Sectionalist debate erupted – Slavery and War with Mexico (MX did not recognize Texas as an independent nation) 1845: TX was admitted into the Union