1. Struggle for Independence
Texas Declares Independence.
With Mexican troops in Texas it was not possible to hold free elections
The constitution was not immediately ratified.

2. Struggle for Independence.
Texas Declares Independence.
Texas leaders set up a temporary government selecting officers to serve until elections could take place.

3. Struggle for Independence.
Texas Declares Independence.
David G. Burnet was chosen first president and Lorenzo de Zavala the first Vice President.
Zavala worked to establish democracy in Mexico, but he soon saw Santa Anna was not going to make reforms.

4. Struggle for Independence.
Texas Declares Independence.
Sam Houston was named Commander in Chief of the Texas Military.
He raised among the Cherokee and fought with Andrew Jackson against the creek.

5. Struggle for Independence.
Texas Declares Independence.
Houston also served in Congress and as governor of Tennessee.

6. Struggle for Independence.
Texas Declares Independence.
Houston wanted to prevent other forts from being overran by Mexican forces.
He ordered troops at Goliad to abandon their position.

7. Struggle for Independence.
Texas Declares Independence.
As they retreated they came into contact with Mexican forces led by Gen. Urrea.
After a fierce fight several hundred Texans surrendered. On Santa Anna’s orders these Texans would be slaughtered a few days later. This would be called the “Goliad Massacre.”

8. Struggle for Independence.
Battle of San Jacinto
Sam Houston was looking for a good opportunity to hit Santa Anna.
6 weeks later after the Alamo and adding 900 troops, he had his opportunity at San Jacinto near what is present day Houston.

9. Struggle for Independence.
Battle of San Jacinto
Santa Anna was camped nearby with a force of 1,300 men.
21 April 1836 Houston launched a surprise attack on Santa Anna Shouting “Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad!”

10. Struggle for Independence.
Battle of San Jacinto
The Texans killed more than 600 Mexican soldiers, and captured around 600 including Santa Anna.
On 14 May 1836 Santa Anna signed a treaty recognizing the Independence of Texas.

11. The Lone Star Republic.
In September of 1836 Sam Houston was elected as the President of the Republic of Texas.
Houston sent a delegation to D.C. asking the U.S. to annex or take control of Texas.

12. The Lone Star Republic.
President Andrew Jackson refused to take control because it would upset the balance of slave and free states in Congress as put forth in the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

13. The Lone Star Republic.
For the time being Texas would be an independent country.

14. Question of Annexation
The Lone Star Republic.
Question of Annexation
The new republic faced political and financial problems.
The Mexican government refused to honor Santa Anna’s recognition of Texas.
Fighting continued between Mexico and Texas.

15. Question of Annexation
The Lone Star Republic.
Question of Annexation
3. Texas had enormous debt and no money to repay it. (Just like the Revolutionary War.)
4. Southerners wanted Texas annexed, but the Northern States did not because Texas was a slave state.

16. Question of Annexation
The Lone Star Republic.
Question of Annexation
President Van Buren put off making Texas a state also.
President Tyler favored Texas becoming a state, but the Senate was divided over the slavery issue and it failed.

17. The Lone Star Republic. Texas Becomes a State
With Manifest Destiny feelings rampant throughout the country the election of 1844 changed things with the election of James Polk.

18. The Lone Star Republic. Texas Becomes a State
The South favored annexing Texas.
The North demanded the U.S. gain control of the Oregon Country from Britain.
Polk supported both actions

19. The Lone Star Republic. Quiz 2D
Texas Becomes a State
After Polk’s victory over Clay, who did not support annexation of Texas, Texas became a state 29 December 1845.