Ch. 16.2 Texas Gaining Independence & Becoming a State With little population in Texas, The new Mexican government decides to recruit empresarios from America to move into Texas. What could possibly go wrong?
American Settlers Welcome 1821 Mexican government welcomed American settlers to Texas Must become: Mexican citizens obey Mexican laws support Catholic Church Most settlers came from southern states LA MS AL GA
Led settlers to Texas Stephen F. Austin First 300 families known as the “Old Three Hundred.” Families receive: 640 acres An extra 320 acres for each child. Many families brought slaves with them
Conflict in Texas: American Point of View US settlers ignored Mexican law Not interested in becoming Mexican citizens Considered themselves Texans: Thought Texas was underrepresented in Mexican government Never got a say on the laws made by government
Conflict in Texas: Mexico’s Point of View Mexican officials said Texans didn’t show respect for authority: Americans weren’t following laws Slavery was outlawed but people brought slaves So, General Santa Anna should stop this from happening….right? Or can there be a compromise?
Negotiations?? Stephen F. Austin tried to maintain peace between Texas & Mexico Austin was thrown in jail After one year in jail, Austin said… “War is our only recourse (option). There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, & our country by force of arms.”
Texas War for Independence or Texas Revolution October 1835 First battle Mexico: Led by General Santa Anna Texans: Had no military Only volunteers from USA and some tejanos Made a temporary government & pledged to overthrown Santa Anna
BATTLE OF THE ALAMO November 1835 Texan army captured towns of Goliad & San Antonio Made a military base in an old mission church called the Alamo Santa Anna became outraged and marched to San Antonio Wanted to destroy the Texans
Battle of the Alamo Feb. 23, 1836 Only 189 Texan troops Next 2 weeks: Santa Anna arrived at the Alamo with 3,000 soldiers Only 189 Texan troops Including Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis Waited for reinforcements to come with Sam Houston from northern Texas Next 2 weeks: Santa Anna surrounded the Alamo Wanted to starve the troops inside March 6, 1836 Mexican army attacked…
Remember the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo
What happens next? Gen. Santa Anna moves on to Goliad Texans outnumbered & surrender Almost 400 soldiers surrender executed by Santa Anna Outraged Texans… And their new leader Sam Houston.
Battle of San Jacinto Sam Houston Commander in chief of new Texas army, fought Santa Anna Houston’s troops were outnumbered & untrained But were mad as hell!!! April 21, 1836 Houston’s army attacked & won the war!
Texas Becomes a Republic Santa Anna was forced to recognize Texas as a country Gen. Houston released Santa Anna to return to Mexico City Santa Anna was then thrown out of power by angry Mexican citizens Many Mexicans did not accept that Texas had become an independent country… Vowed to fight to regain it in the future….
The Republic of Texas Sam Houston 1st Capital Elected president 1st Capital Houston Moves to Austin when it becomes a state in the USA. The US, France, & Great Britain all recognized Texas as a country But not Mexico
So what happens next… Mexico looks for a reason to take back Texas for the next 10 years Sam Houston tries to make his country strong Eventually realizes its only possible if Texas gets protection against the Mexicans… Stay tuned.
Review Questions What conflict did American settlers have with the Mexican government? What is the Alamo? Who is Sam Houston?