Ch 13.1 Texas Revolution
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.
Spanish Texas The Spanish had been in the Americas since Columbus in Spain owned a large part of North America, including Texas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain
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)
Changes in Spanish Texas Between 1821 and 1825, Austin attracted about 300 families. These families are known as the “Old Three Hundred.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Texans Revolt Against Mexico Key Question: What events led to Texas’s independence from Mexico?
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.
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!
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.
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.
Texans Revolt Against Mexico Led by James Fannin troops stationed at Goliad Led by James Bowie & William Travis 180 volunteers at the Alamo, an old mission that was used as a fortress
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.
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.
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.
General Santa Anna surrenders to General Houston
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.
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)