13.2 The Texas Revolution Manifest Destiny

Texas Mexico gains is independence from Spain in 1821. Texas was part of that territory originally called Tejas it bordered the Louisiana Territory. East Texas had lush forests, plains and rich soil but few settlers. Before 1820 Texas had fewer than 5,000 settlers - Tejanos original settlers to Tejas. The Mexican government had offered huge tracts of land to Mexican impresarios but were unable to get Mexicans to accept the offer for land in exchange for bringing settlers.

Moses and Stephen Austin Moses Austin was a willing impresario. He received permission first from the Spanish Government but died before he could start his colony. His son Stephen then received permission from the Mexican Government to start an American Colony in Texas after Mexico had received it independence. These settlers had to agree to become Mexican Citizens and become Roman Catholics Between 1821 and 1825 Stephen F. Austin attracted 300 families known at the “Old Three Hundred” By 1830 the colony had more than 25,000 settlers and out numbered Tejanos 6 to 1. Austin also required proof that Settlers worked hard and did not use alcohol.

Rising Tensions in Texas Americans wanted to settle in Texas because Many were looking for a new life and/or land escaping the law or looking to grow rich This made these settlers extremely independent and proud. Americans began to resent Mexican Laws Most didn’t want to be Mexican citizens Most didn’t want to be Roman Catholics They didn’t want to learn or speak Spanish Slave owners became angry when Mexico banned slavery in 1829. Mexico closed Texas to further American Colonization Mexico began to tax the American settlers which it had not done before

Texans Revolt Against Mexico In response to the Mexican crackdown on Texas, Stephen Austin went to Mexico City to try and reach an agreement to settle the dispute with Mexico. In 1833 Austin was jailed for a year after a letter saying Texas would break away from Mexico if Santa Anna (Leader of Mexico) didn’t agree to reforms in its treatment of Texas. In 1835 Santa Anna sent troops to Gonzales. They were sent to take a cannon that the Texans used for protection against Native Americans The Americans hung a flag over the cannon that said “Come and Take it” The Mexicans were not able to take the cannon and were driven out of the Alamo in San Antonio. Santa Anna was angered and he and 6,000 troops headed for Texas.

The Texas Revolution On March 1st and 2nd 1836 Texans met at Washington-on-the Brazos and declared Texas a free and independent republic. A former Tennessee Governor and Congressman Sam Houston was placed in command of the Texas Army. The Texas Army was made up of - 300 to 400 Texas troops were at Goliad in southeast Texas Juan Seguin and 25 Tejanos. Freed African Americans 190 volunteers at the Alamo led by Jim Bowie and William Travis this group also included Davy Crockett.

The Battle of the Alamo The Alamo was an old Spanish Mission that was captured by the Texans and used as a fort. For 13 days approximately 190 volunteers held off 6000 Mexican troops. On the 13th day Santa Anna sent 1,800 troops stormed the Alamo. All but 7 of the 190 American fighters were killed in the battle the rest were later executed. Over 1000 Mexican soldiers were killed. “Remember the Alamo” became the rallying cry of the Texan Army

Battles of Goliad and San Jacinto General Houston had ordered Colonel James Fannin to retreat from Goliad. Fannin was slow in his retreat and his 300 troops were captured and Executed by Santa Anna. The defeats at the Alamo and Goliad caused Houston’s Army to double in size to more than 800. In late April 1836 Santa Anna separated from his main force near San Jacinto. Houston’s Army captured Santa Anna and killed half of his men in 18 minutes.

The Republic of Texas To secure his release Santa Anna quickly agreed to give Texas its independence from Mexico and the Republic of Texas was born. In December 1836 Texas adopted the nickname the Lone Star Republic and elected Sam Houston President Texas soon asked the US to annex it into the United States. Northerners in Congress objected as it would throw off the balance between Slave and Free States. Others feared it would lead to War with Mexico Congress ultimately rejected annexing Texas into the US.