1. Texas Independence
Chapter 9, Section 2

2. The Spanish Settle Texas
Original inhabitants of Texas were Native Americans
First Europeans to visit Texas were the Spanish
Spanish attempted to settle Texas by building missions (small settlements designed to convert Native Americans to Catholicism and to make them loyal Spanish subjects)

3. The Mission System
Between 1600s and 1700s Spanish built over two dozen missions
The missions failed and the towns never flourished
Most Native Americans rejected mission life because they did not want to give up their culture or religion
They also didn’t want to die because Spanish carried diseases that killed many Native Americans

4. The Mission System Ends
Spanish started missions to convert Native Americans and to counter the threat of French settlement in Texas
When France loses the French and Indian War, they gave up most of their land anyway so there was no need for the Spanish to feel threatened by the French

5. Americans Move into Texas
1820 – Moses Austin (American banker) proposes colony in Texas called Texan Venture
Spanish agree, but Austin dies
His son, Stephen F. Austin, carries out his plan
Finds land that would be perfect for farming and ranching
He has no trouble finding American settlers

6. Austin’s Colony 1823 – Austin’s colony was officially established
Town called San Felipe de Austin – administrative, social, and commercial center of the colony
Population was about 1,800 people in 1824

7. Mexican Independence Mexico is no longer a part of New Spain
Mexico becomes and independent colony in 1821

8. The Empresarios New Mexican government wants Texas settled
Land grants to settlers in return for being loyal Mexican citizens
Government assigns large amount of land to empresarios who are responsible for recruiting settlers
Native Americans, Americans, and Tejanos (Texans of Mexico) now live in Texas

9. Americans in Texas
American settlers had to meet certain conditions to live in Texas
Surrender American citizenship
Swear allegiance to Mexico
Adopt Roman Catholic religion
Hold the land for seven years

10. Americans in Texas Many settlers did not follow these boundaries
They continued to bring slaves even after Mexico outlawed slavery
They thought of themselves as Americans, not Mexicans
Loyalty and economic activities remained connected to the US

11. Tensions in Texas
The government of Mexico grew concerned about the loyalties of American settlers
Mexican officials took steps to decrease American influence in Texas
Passed laws designed to halt American immigration
Placed a high tariff on American imports
Banned importation of slaves into Texas
Government sent officials in to enforce the new laws – Americans were infuriated

12. International Tensions
Tensions between the US and Mexico were heightened
Mexicans feared that The US would attempt to seize Texas from Mexico
1827 the US offered to buy a large part of Texas for $1 million
Mexican officials refused, but their fears were confirmed

13. The Texas Revolution Begins
1832 – Anahuac
Armed Texans confronted a Mexican official they felt had wrongly imprisoned two settlers
Protest started by Texans against the government of Mexico
Turned bloody at the town of Velasco
Mexicans surrendered
– Texans held conventions to discuss best course of action
Some believed it would be best if Texas became a separate Mexican state
Austin went to Mexico City to present plan – they took it as a threat for revolt
Austin was jailed

14. The Texas Revolution Begins

15. The Texas Revolution Begins
Mexico had a new president – Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Leader of those who wanted a strong central government
Mexican states revolted because they felt their liberties were being threatened

16. The Texas Revolution Begins
Violence erupted at Gonzales – Mexican forces attempted to retrieve a cannon they lent to Texans
Texans attacked the Mexican force and it retreated
Battle of Gonzales – October 2, 1835 – was the first battle of the Texas Revolution
Texas founded a government and gave Sam Houston the task of raising an army

17. From the Alamo to Independence
Texan forces captured the town of San Antonio, which contained a fort called the Alamo
Its capture infuriated Santa Anna
He led an army into Texas to punish the rebels and put down the unrest there

18. From the Alamo to Independence
February 23, 1836 – Santa Anna and 6,000 soldiers reached San Antonio
Tejanos and other Texans took refuge in the Alamo
Santa Anna demanded their surrender
The rebel leader William Travis, responded with a cannon shot

19. From the Alamo to Independence
Mexicans pounded the Alamo with cannon fire for 12 days and nights
March 6, about 1,800 Mexican soldiers stormed the Alamo killing almost all of the forts 200 defenders
March 2, 1836 – Texas Declaration of Independence and Constitution
They were unwilling to be ruled by Mexico any longer

20. Goliad and the Runaway Scrape
Captured Tejanos were held in the presidio at Goliad
Santa Anna ordered 340 of the prisoners to be executed
Houston retreated with his army because he knew he could not defeat Santa Anna

21. Texans Victorious
After Houston’s army retreated, they led a surprise attack at San Jacinto and captured Santa Anna
He was forced to sign the Treaties of Velasco, ending the war
Mexico withdrew troops and recognized Texas’ independence
Texas became a separate nation called the Republic of Texas