SPAIN LOSES AN EMPIRE (PART 1)

As the mission system in Texas & elsewhere allowed the Spanish Empire in the New World to grow, other European powers looked to increase their power by establishing & strengthening their own colonies in the Americas.

COLONIALISIM IN THE NEW WORLD France claimed Canada and the Mississippi River Valley, named Louisiana, as part of their North American empire during the 1600’s & 1700’s.

COLONIALISIM IN THE NEW WORLD Great Britain established 13 colonies along the Atlantic seaboard during the 17 th & 18 th centuries to establish her empire in the New World.

SPAIN LOSES POWER However, Spain’s reign as the most powerful European country began to decline with the destruction of the Spanish Armada in 1588 at the hands of England. This would allow the emerging powers of France & Great Britain to battle for power both at home and in the New World.

FRANCE LOSES HER EMPIRE In 1754, France and her Indian allies began a war against Great Britain and her American colonies known as the French & Indian War (also known as the 7 Years War in Europe). When England defeated France, the French were forced to give away their colonies in North America. French surrender under Treaty of Paris of 1763

AMERICAN REVOLUTION Following the French & Indian War, England tried to control the American colonies more strictly. The colonists rebelled, firing the “shot heard ‘round the world” at Lexington, MA on April 19, 1775, sparking the first of several revolutions around the globe. Lexington Green April 19, 1775

SPAIN HELPS THE REBELS During the American Revolution, Spain helped the colonists against her long-time enemy, Great Britain. Bernardo de Galvez, governor of LA, gave money, supplies, and weapons to the poorly outfitted Americans. He even raised an army & fought against the British. Finally, he opened the port of New Orleans to the Americans. Bernardo de Galvez

A NEW COUNTRY – THE U.S.A. War ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, forming the United States of America. The new country became Spain’s neighbor, with the Mississippi River being the border. Spain would retain rights to Florida. Signing of the Treaty of Paris 1783

A NEW FRENCH LEADER Following the French Revolution, a young military genius by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte seized control of France. In 1800 he forced Spain to give Louisiana back to France in the hopes of building a new French empire in North America. Napoleon Bonaparte

UNITED STATES DOUBLES IN SIZE In 1803, busy at war with Great Britain, Napoleon is short on cash and willing to make a deal. He offers the U.S. President, Thomas Jefferson, Louisiana for $15 million. Without congressional authorization, Jefferson approves the land sale. Raising American flag in New Orleans

BORDER DISPUTES SOLVED Since the first English settlers arrived in America, they had been pushing West. Now that the U.S. owned Louisiana, the border between Spain and America was unclear, and many Americans were pushing into the new lands. Spain, struggling with numerous revolutions in her colonies, wanted to resolve the dispute quickly. The Adams-Onis Treaty of 1819 clearly defined the border as the Sabine River, and Spain gave the U.S Florida in exchange for the surrender of any American claims to Texas. For now, Texas would remain a part of the Spanish Empire. Spain surrenders Florida to U.S. Territorial map of North America in 1819

SPAIN LOSES AN EMPIRE (PART 2)

AMERICAN EYES ON TEXAS? Despite the Adams- Onis Treaty, some Americans felt that Texas deserved to be part of the U.S. Those who tried to make this happen were called “Filibusters”.

FAMOUS TEXAS FILIBUSTERS Philip Nolan – a mustanger who captured wild horses in TX; accused of spying by the Spanish & killed in 1800 James Long – disagreed with the 1819 treaty; led a force into TX twice successfully; eventually captured by the Spanish and killed Philip Nolan Long’s Free Republic Flag

PIRATES IN TEXAS? Pardoned by President Madison for his service during the War of 1812 against the British, pirate Jean Lafitte set up his base on Galveston Island. Asked to help Long’s quest for Texas independence, he refused. He died around 1823 trying to capture Spanish vessels. Some speculate that he buried treasure on Galveston Island. Pirate Jean Lafitte

MEXICO GAINS INDEPENDENCE! Following Father Hidalgo’s cry for independence in 1810, after years of struggle by peasants, priests, and Native Americans, Mexico won its independence in Spain had lost a large chunk of its North American empire, with more to follow.

A MEXICAN TEXAS Due to Spanish neglect, the state of Cohillla y Texas in 1821 was sparsely populated. There were more Indians than those of Spanish descent. The only real settlement was that of San Antonio. Mexican authorities were desperate to lure colonists to the area. Early San Antonio

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE After losing his fortune in the financial Panic of 1819, American Moses Austin looked south to regain his wealth – Texas. He believed he could convince the Spanish government to give him land, which could be sold, in exchange for bringing badly needed colonists to Texas. Moses Austin

A PROMISE KEPT After convincing Spanish authorities of his idea, Moses and his slave were returning to the U.S. to begin planning. However, robbers stole all of their possessions, including their clothes, and Moses became very ill. Calling his son, Stephen Fuller Austin, to his sickbed, he made him promise to carry out his final dream – to colonize Texas. Stephen F. Austin

SPAIN LOSES AN EMPIRE -- (PART 2) During Spain’s rule, Texas suffered neglect due to its far distance, failure to contribute significant wealth, and high expense to maintain control. Under Mexican rule, the government looked to American colonization as a way to solve these problems. However, Mexico had its own internal problems to deal with; these would take precedence over the colonization of Texas. For now, Texas looked like a new haven for Americans to settle and grow their ideals of democracy under the Constitution of Things would soon be changing in Texas.