Texas Independence

Americans move to Texas Spanish mission system in Texas failed Moses Austin proposed deal with New Spain (land in exchange for settling Texas) His son, Stephen Austin, created a colony between the Brazos and Colorado River (San Felipe) in 1823 By then, Mexico had won independence from Spain Mexican government also wanted U.S. settlers in Texas

Settling Conditions American settlers received land from Mexico In return, they: 1. Gave up American citizenship 2. Swore allegiance to Mexico 3. Promised to become Roman Catholic 4. Would hold their land for at least 7 years In reality, US settlers did not comply with these laws US settlers also continued to bring slaves into Texas, even after Mexico banned slavery

Empresarios Empresarios: were “contractors” hired by the Mexican gov’t to create settlements Stephen Austin was one such empresario 1824 – 1800 people (400 slaves) 1830 – 30,000 settlers, including slaves were Tejanos (Mexican Texans)

Texas Revolution Mexican gov’t concerned about loyalties of American settlers; send a general to check it out in 1827 Result: Mexico strengthens authority; creates a tariff on US goods; cancelled empresario contracts; also banned importing slaves from US Settler reaction in Texas Mexico afraid that US wanted Texas

Revolution Begins Austin goes to Mexico City asking for Texas to be a separate Mexican state, but was jailed Also, Mexico got new pres. – Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, aiming for strong central gov’t Gonzales – ( Oct. 1835) – 1 st battle (cannon issue) Settlers created gov’t; Sam Houston forms an army San Antonio, old Spanish mission, taken by US rebels Battle of the Alamo- Mar – almost all 200 defenders killed by Santa Anna’s 1800 soldiers

Texan battle flag at Gonzales

The Alamo William Travis, Texan commander Santa Anna, Mexican General

A Republic for Texas Houston’s untrained forces ordered to flee after Santa Anna’s victories at Goliad Runaway Scrape: 1000s of Texans flee Anna’s army San Jacinto: Houston, being chased, surprises Santa Anna’s army; “Remember Alamo & Goliad” Santa Anna taken prisoner; forced to sign Treaty of Velasco -Texas became a new nation, Republic of Texas -But Mex. gov’t refused to recognized treaty

Hm……….