The Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas!!

Americans in Mexican Texas For a long time, Mexico did not allow Americans to settle in Texas. But, when Mexico could not control the Indian raids, they finally granted Stephen Austin a land grant. This meant that he could bring a limited number of Americans in to settle in Texas. Mexico was hoping that these settlers would help to develop the land and control Indian attacks. In the beginning, Austin brought 300 families. By 1830, 20,000 Americans had moved into Texas.

Conflict with Mexico Austin had agreed that his settlers would follow certain laws. They would become Mexican citizens, and they would worship in the catholic church. Also, slavery was supposed to be illegal in Mexico. Austin’s settlers did not follow these laws. As more and more Americans came, those Americans felt very little connection or loyalty toward Mexico.

Mexico Takes Action Mexico was nervous at the number of Americans who were living in Texas. They began to fear losing Texas. They quickly stopped any new settlers from coming into Texas. Then, they started enforcing the laws that Austin’s settlers were supposed to be following. Everyone was required to go to the catholic church, and slavery was banned. These things had been overlooked before, but Mexico was trying to assert its authority. Texans did not like this one bit!!

Texas Takes Action When a new leader, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, came to power and made himself dictator over Mexico, Texans had had enough. Texans had their first clash with Mexico at a town named Gonzales, and declared independence not long after. Sam Houston was put in charge of the Texas army, and the fight was on.

The Alamo By the time Santa Anna reached San Antonio, the Texans had taken up positions in an old Spanish mission called the Alamo. There they waited for the Mexican attack. The Texans fought bravely for 12 days, but they were outgunned and outnumbered. Eventually, the Mexican forces broke through the walls. Most of the Texans involved were killed in the battle. Those who survived the battle were executed. The fall of the Alamo ignited cries for revenge. This new passion helped the Texans win the battle of San Jacinto and capture Santa Anna.

The Lone Star Republic Texas was now its own country, but that did not mean that everything was great. Texas was broke, and worse, Mexico was refusing to accept the treaty that Santa Anna had signed. Texas decided that it wanted to be annexed (added onto) by the US. Southerners liked this, but northerners did not. By this time, slavery had become a big issue in the US. So, for the time being, the US decided not to annex Texas.