Texas and The Far West

Mexican War for Independence By 1811, the people of Mexico wanted their independence from Spain.

Mexican War In 1824, a revolutionary army defeated the Spanish making Mexico an independent nation.

Mexican War for Independence In addition to present-day Mexico, the nation included what is now Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.

Anglos in Texas To attract people to Texas, the Mexican government promised people cheap or free land.

Problems between the new government and American settlers soon developed. Americans ignored Mexican laws and acted as if they were still on American soil.

Texas Revolution Stephen Austin, an American who brought American settlers to Mexico, encouraged all Texans to take up arms against the Mexican army.

The Texas Revolution Texans, led by William Travis and Jim Bowie occupied the Alamo, an old Spanish mission.

The Texas Revolution March 3, 1836, Santa Anna’s Mexican troops attack and defeat the Texans. In later battles, the Texans used the battle cry of “Remember the Alamo!”

Texas Revolution Texans, under the command of Sam Houston defeat the Mexicans and create the Republic of Texas.

Texan Revolution Texans hoped to become part of the US, but their pro-slavery stand worried President Jackson. He feared it would upset the balance between free and slave states.

The Far West Most of the non-Indians who traveled to the Rockies and beyond were fur traders and trappers known as mountain men.

The Oregon Trail Many American pioneers began moving to Oregon Country. Many settlers followed the Oregon Trail. It began in Independence, Missouri and stretched 2,000 miles across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains

The Oregon Trail Families formed wagon trains. A family of four needed $600 to buy the supplies necessary for the six-to-eight month trip.

The Oregon Trail Pioneers faced shortages of food, supplies, and water. They also faced rough weather, natural barriers, such as rivers and mountain, as well as confusion over the best route to take.

The California Trail Where the Oregon Trail split in what is now Idaho, some settlers took the southern branch to California. It was a difficult journey because they had to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains with its heavy snowfalls.

The California Trail The Santa Fe Trail was also established which ran from Missouri to present day Santa Fe, New Mexico.