The Spanish had been in the Americas since Columbus in Spain owned a large part of North America, including Texas.

The Mexican government told Stephen Austin his settlers would have to become Mexican citizens and members of the Roman Catholic Church, and learn Spanish. Between 1821 and 1827, Austin attracted 297 families to his new settlement.

Land speculators and settlers were looking for a new life, some were escaping from the law, and others were looking for a chance to grow rich. By 1830, the population had swelled to about 30,000,with Americans outnumbering the Tejanos (people from Spain) six to one. Americans come to Mexico (Texas)

In 1829, the Mexican government outlawed slavery. The settlers wanted to keep their slaves so they could grow cotton. The Americans also didn’t want to learn Spanish or follow Mexican laws. Very few settlers had converted to Catholicism.

In 1829, the Mexican government closed the state to further American immigration. Texans had to start paying taxes for the first time.

Yes or No

The first battle between the Texans and Mexicans took place at on old mission that was used as a fort. It was called the Alamo.

There were only 146 Texans guarding the Alamo. The Mexican army had 2,600 men. The Texans held the Alamo for twelve days. On the thirteenth day, Santa Anna ordered his men to storm the fortress. When it was over, all but five Texans were dead. The men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna. Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom.

Santa Anna had over 300 more Texans executed at Golidad. Texan general, Sam Houston gathered more troops, 800 in all. It included Tejanos, American settlers, volunteers from the United States, and many free and enslaved African Americans. They met Santa Anna at San Jacinto. Their battle cry was, “Remember the Alamo!” It was over in 18 minutes. More than half the Mexican army was killed. Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its freedom. With the Battle of San Jacinto,Texas was now an independent country.

In 1836, Texas declared itself The Lone Star Republic. Sam Houston was elected president. Some Americans wanted Texas to be part of the U.S. Some people were afraid of Texas becoming a slave state, others of war with Mexico. Both would eventually happen. Texas joins the United States in 1845.

Area in Dispute Nueces River Rio Grande River The U.S. and Texas considered the Rio Grande as the Southern border. For Mexico it was the Nueces

US Problems with Mexico 1) Americans had a negative view of Mexico because of the Texas Revolution 2) Mexico owed the U.S. money for the Mexican Revolution against Spain Mexican Problems with US. 1) Mexico felt that Texas was being stolen from them. 2) Mexico didn’t believe in Manifest Destiny and didn’t want to give away their land.

Vote Yes or No

Gen. Taylor had moved his troops to Corpus Christi, Texas, just across the Nueces River, and waited further instructions to move south into Mexican territory.

“ Now… Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil…” (Zinn 1980:150) Congress overwhelmingly approved war with Mexico on May 13, 1846 and authorized the recruitment and supplying of 50,000 troops (Acuna 2007:43)

Abolitionists: These people oppose slavery. They were opposed to the war in Mexico because they feared that the territories gained would become slave states, meaning the spread of slavery.

Mexico in 1848 is forced to sign the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo losing about half its territory. California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico were some present-day states that were gained as a result of that treaty.