1. Ch 13.1 Texas Revolution

2. Before we learned…  Thousands of adventurers and pioneers followed trails to the West to make their fortunes and settle the land. Now we will learn…  Conflicts between American settlers and the government of Mexico led Texas to revolt and win independence from Mexico in 1836.

3. Spanish Texas  The Spanish had been in the Americas since Columbus in 1492.  Spain owned a large part of North America, including Texas.

4. Tejanos  In 1821, only about 4,000 Tejanos lived in Tejas (Texas).  Tejanos are people of Spanish heritage who consider Tejas (Texas) their home.  Tejas (Texas) was owned by Spain.

5. Changes in Spanish Texas  In 1820, in order to defend the land from hostile Native Americans, the Spanish government offered huge tracts of land to empresarios.  Empresarios- people who agreed to find settlers for the land.  Very few settlers came.

6. Moses Austin  An American, Moses Austin was given permission by the Spanish government to start a colony in Texas.  All the Americans had to do was follow Spanish laws.  Moses died in 1821, so his son Stephen tried to start the colony.

7. Changes in Spanish Texas  In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain.  Tejas (Texas) was now a part of the new nation of Mexico.  The Spanish land grant to the Austin’s was worthless.

8. In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain

9. Changes in Spanish Texas  The Mexican government allowed Austin to start his American colony if:  1. became Mexican citizens  2. became Catholic  3. be good citizens (stay out of trouble)

10. Changes in Spanish Texas  Between 1821 and 1825, Austin attracted about 300 families. These families are known as the “Old Three Hundred.”

11. Changes in Spanish Texas  The success of Austin’s colony attracted more land speculators and settlers to Texas from the United States. Some were looking for a new life, some were escaping from the law, and others were looking for a chance to grow rich.  By 1830, the population had swelled to about 30,000,with Americans outnumbering the Tejanos six to one.

12. Rising Tensions in Texas  In 1829, the Mexican government outlawed slavery.  The settlers wanted to keep their slaves so they could grow cotton.  The Americans also didn’t want to learn Spanish or follow Mexican laws.  Very few settlers had converted to Catholicism.

13. Rising Tensions in Texas  Texans began talk of breaking away from Mexico.  Mexico’s response:  1. In 1829, the Mexican government closed the state to further American immigration.  2. Texans had to start paying taxes for the first time.  3. Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna sent more Mexican troops to Texas to enforce these laws.

14. Reflection  Analyze Causes and Effects  Explain how American settlers caused problems in Texas.  Answer:  American settlers were unwilling to adapt to or to understand Mexican laws. American slave owners resented the Mexican ban on slavery in 1829.

15. Texans Revolt Against Mexico  Key Question: What events led to Texas’s independence from Mexico?

16. Texans Revolt Against Mexico  The actions of the Mexican government caused angry protests from Americans and many Tejanos.  Some Texans wanted to break away, but Austin stayed loyal to Mexico.

17. Texans Revolt Against Mexico  In 1833, Austin went to Mexico City to present a list of requested reforms to Mexican officials.  Key request: Texas become a self- governing state within Mexico.  Santa Anna found out about Austin’s letter, that if he did not agree Austin would support Texas independence.  Santa Anna was not happy and jailed Austin for almost a year!

18. Texans Revolt Against Mexico  When Stephen Austin was jailed, the Texans did revolt. (Austin is seen as the “Father of Texas.”)  Texans protected a cannon the Mexican troops wanted to seize. “Come and Take It”  Texans kicked out Mexican troops that were stationed in the Alamo. The Alamo was an old mission that was then used as a fortress.  In response, Santa Anna led 6,000 troops to Texas to put down the revolt.

19. Texans Revolt Against Mexico  Texans decided to declare Texas a free and independent republic.  Sam Houston was placed in command of the Texas army.  Juan Seguin led a band of 25 Tejanos in support of revolt.

20. Texans Revolt Against Mexico Led by James Fannin  300-400 troops stationed at Goliad Led by James Bowie & William Travis  180 volunteers at the Alamo, an old mission that was used as a fortress

21. The Alamo  The first battle between the Texans and Mexicans took place at on old mission that was used as a fort.  It was called the Alamo.

22. The Fight for the Alamo  There were only 183 Texans guarding the Alamo.  The Mexican army had 1,800 men.  The Texans held the Alamo for twelve days- vowing not to surrender.  On the thirteenth day, Santa Anna ordered his 1,800 men to storm the fortress. The Texans in the Alamo ran out of ammunition.  When it was over, all but five Texans were dead. The men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna.  Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom.

25. Battle at San Jacinto  Santa Anna had over 300 more Texans executed at Golidad.  Texan general, Sam Houston gathered more troops, 800 in all.  It included Tejanos, American settlers, volunteers from the United States, and many free and enslaved African Americans.  They met Santa Anna at San Jacinto.  Their battle cry was, “Remember the Alamo!”  It was over in 18 minutes. More than half the Mexican army was killed.  Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its freedom. With the Battle of San Jacinto,Texas was now an independent country.

26. General Santa Anna surrenders to General Houston

27. Lone Star Republic  In 1836, Texas declared itself The Lone Star Republic.  Sam Houston was elected president.  Some Americans wanted Texas to be part of the U.S.  Some people were afraid of Texas becoming a slave state, others of war with Mexico.  Both would eventually happen.  For now, the U.S. denied Texas statehood.

28. Reflection  Describe the events that led to Texas’s independence from Mexico.  Answer:  Santa Anna jailed Austin  Mexicans storm the Alamo  Americans win at San Jacinto  Texans declare Republic of Texas (Lone Star Republic)