When you see the pencil appear, fill in the information in red on your info-graphic guided notes page. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

The United States 1820 United States Mexico (Controlled By Spain) Oregon Territory (Disputed by Britain) United States Mexico (Controlled By Spain) © Karalynn Tyler 2015

In 1821, Stephen Austin’s father died, leaving him a large piece of land he had obtained from Spain. Austin was given permission by Spanish officials to start an American colony in Spanish Texas. He promised to choose only honest and hardworking settlers to bring to his colony. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Stephen Austin was about to make his father’s dreams a reality Stephen Austin was about to make his father’s dreams a reality. American settlers had big plans for the colony. Spain controlled Mexico Allowed a U.S. colony to settle in Spanish Texas. Stephen F. Austin Started a colony of Americans in Texas. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Many Americans felt Texas was valuable because much of the region was perfect for growing the South’s most valuable crop- Cotton! Cotton takes a lot of nutrients from the soil so many plantation owners were looking for more land where cotton could grow. Many Americans felt that Texas would be a great addition to the United States someday. Settlers wanted more land for growing cotton. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

By the time Austin and his settlers arrived, Mexico had declared their independence from Spain. Mexico now controlled the region where Austin’s colony was located. The new Mexican government wanted Austin’s colony to respect Mexico and made him promise the settlers would become Mexican citizens and join the Catholic church. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Stephen Austin agreed to Mexico’s terms and by 1827, nearly 300 families had come to live in the Mexican state of Texas. News of the successful colony spread and by 1830, there were over 25,000 Americans in Texas. They greatly outnumbered the Tejanos (Texans of Mexican descent.) Tensions began to rise between the groups. Especially after Mexico banned slavery in 1829. Oregon Territory Mexico Mexican State of Texas © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Tejanos were not happy that so many American settlers had come to Texas. They felt Austin’s colony had grown too large. The settlers did not become Mexican citizens as promised. Mexico responded by closing Texas to further immigration. Troops from Mexico’s army arrived to guard the border and enforce Mexico’s laws. This angered the American settlers. Mexico declared its independence from Spain. Closed Texas to further immigration. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

The people of Texas would like to govern our own state. With tensions rising between the American settlers and the Tejanos, Stephen Austin went to Mexico’s leader in 1833 to request that Mexico make Texas a separate Mexican state so they could run their own affairs. Mexico’s power-hungry dictator, Santa Anna, had Austin thrown in Jail. In 1835 after Austin was released, Texas revolted. Santa Anna marched north with 6,000 troops determined to crush the rebellion. The people of Texas would like to govern our own state. Guards! Lock him up! I guess that’s a no. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

In February of 1836, Santa Anna’s army arrived in San Antonia, Texas In February of 1836, Santa Anna’s army arrived in San Antonia, Texas. The Texas army had left 180 volunteers to defend the town while they went ahead to prepare for the upcoming battles. The defenders took refuge in the old Spanish mission building called the Alamo. Santa Anna demanded every Texan surrender or expect no mercy. The defenders replied by firing their cannon at Santa Anna and his army. Messengers were sent to nearby towns to try to get help. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

13-day battle in San Antonio The Alamo Leave no survivors! 13-day battle in San Antonio No survivors Reinforcements never arrived. The defenders of the Alamo fought the Mexican troops with guns and cannons for 12 days. On March 6th, 1836, Santa Anna ordered his men to storm the fort. The battle lasted 90 minutes. Santa Anna ordered every one of the town’s defenders to be executed. When word reached the Texas army, led by Sam Houston, the Texans were filled with rage over Santa Anna’s brutality. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Commander of the Texas Revolution Army Remember the Alamo! Sam Houston Commander of the Texas Revolution Army Sam Houston led the Texas army deeper into Texas to make it more difficult for Santa Anna to resupply and keep his army ready. His plan worked when the Texas Army lured Santa Anna to the San Jacinto River. Santa Anna marched his troops through the night expecting the Texas Army to attack at dawn. After there was no attack, he and his troops stopped to rest. Houston’s troops staged a surprise attack later in the afternoon yelling “REMEMBER THE ALAMO!” © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Texans revolted and won independence from Mexico. The Texas army won the Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna fled, but was captured the next day. In exchange for his release, he was forced to sign a treaty recognizing Texas as an independent nation and ordering all Mexican troops out of Texas. Not so fast! Hasta la vista! Texans revolted and won independence from Mexico. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Santa Anna never fully accepted the loss of Texas as a territory Santa Anna never fully accepted the loss of Texas as a territory. But Texas was now an independent country- Formally called the Texas Republic, but nicknamed the “Lone Star Republic”. They elected Sam Houston to be their leader. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

After much debate, Texas was annexed by the U.S. as a slave state. Most Texans were Americans and hoped Texas would become part of the United States. Southerners wanted Texas as a slave state. Northerners who opposed slavery fought to keep Texas out. Texas remained an independent country for 10 years until President James K. Polk was elected. He urged Congress to annex Texas. In 1845, Texas was admitted as the 28th State. James K. Polk President of the U.S. Annexed Texas After much debate, Texas was annexed by the U.S. as a slave state. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Although Texans had fought a war with Santa Anna to win their independence, the United States gained the Texas Annexation through a peaceful treaty with the Texas Republic. The U.S. was not done fulfilling its vision for Manifest Destiny. Meanwhile, Santa Anna refused to recognize Texas was no longer a part of Mexico. This isn’t over. 1845 Texas Annexation Settlers wanted more land for growing cotton. Annex = add a territory to a country. © Karalynn Tyler 2015

Optional Video Links Texas: Discovery Education https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0Mtz6XFgG0 Remember the Alamo: sung by Johnny Cash https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i79X9jTAfEM The Alamo (movie preview) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9T5HMtr0WA America Story of Us: The Alamo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAMZQlAQAyQ