Independence for Texas Chapter 12 Section 2 Independence for Texas

A Clash of Cultures Conflict over Texas After the Louisiana purchase of 1803, both the U.S. and Spain claimed the land in present-day TX In the Adams-Onis Treaty in 1819, the U.S. gave up its claim

Land Grants Mexico offered land grants in order to promote the growth of TX. The first grant was received by Moses Austin. Moses died and the grant passed to his son, Stephen F. Austin Stephen F. Austin recruited about 300 American families to settle in TX Before the grants, most of the residents were Tejanos (Mexicans who claimed TX as their home)

Growing Tension By 1830 the Americans far outnumbered the Mexicans The Mexican gov’t became alarmed by the number of Americans in TX and issued a decree ( an official order) that stopped American immigration. It also placed an import tax on American goods coming into TX. The new policies angered the Texans.

Attempt at Reconciliation In 1833 Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City in order to discuss the Texans’ demands of removing the ban on American immigration and making TX a separate state in Mexico Mexico’s president, General Santa Anna, would not agree to both demands. He later named himself dictator and overthrew Mexico’s constitution Austin sent a letter back to TX suggesting independence. The letter was intercepted, and he was arrested

Early Battles In 1835 conflicts began between Texans and Mexican troops. Early battles occurred at Gonzales and San Antonio. Both were Texan victories

The Battle of the Alamo In 1836 Santa Anna’s army surrounded the mission in San Antonio After about 12 days, the army smashed through the walls and killed nearly every person, including Davy Crockett, William Travis, and Jim Bowie

Texas Declares Its Independence In 1836 Texan leaders declared independence with a declaration that was similar to the U.S. one 60 years earlier The new republic quickly selected a president and a vice president and named Sam Houston as the commander in chief of the forces At Goliad several hundred Texan troops surrendered and were later executed. The action outraged Texans, who called it the “Goliad Massacre.”

The Battle of San Jacinto Houston defeated Santa Anna near present-day Houston Santa Anna signed a treaty that recognized the independence of TX

The Lone Star Republic TX seeks annexation In 1836 Texans elected Houston as their president and asked the U.S. to annex TX. Andrew Jackson refused because he did not want to upset the balance of free and slave states.

The Question of Annexation Martin Van Buren put off the question of annexing TX for the same reason as Jackson John Tyler supported annexation, but the Senate failed to ratify the treaty.

Texas Becomes a State James Polk supported the annexation of TX and the control of the Oregon Country during his campaign in 1844. Polk’s victory led to the statehood of TX in 1845.