Texas Independence Chapter 9, Section 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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 1832-1833 – 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

The Texas Revolution Begins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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