2. The Road to War

5. In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. Mexico became an independent republic.

7. Settling in Texas Stephen Austin started a settlement in Texas, part of Mexico. They were allowed to bring slaves. By 1825, 1800 people lived in the colony. 442 of them were slaves. Americans were expected to obey Mexican laws. Not all Americans did so, Mexico banned any further settlers or slaves in Texas.

9. The War Party The War Party were a group of men who wanted to break away from Mexico. Jim Bowie and Sam Houston were both members of the War Party.

11. Santa Anna was elected President of Mexico in 1833. On October 2, 1835, fighting broke out starting the Texas Revolution 6,000 Mexican Troops attacked the Alamo. They fought for 13 days. On March 6, the Mexicans scaled the walls of the Alamo and killed every American inside, including Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett.

13. Remember the Alamo became a rallying battle cry for the Texans. On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston’s army defeated Santa Anna’s troops at the battle of San Jacinto. The Texans had defeated the Mexicans. Texas became the Independent Republic of Texas, “The Lone Star Republic”

15. Sam Houston was elected President of the Independent Republic of Texas. Texas petitioned the U.S. for statehood in 1837. Texas wanted to join as a slave state.

17. James Polk, the President of the U.S. believed in Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny was the belief that the U.S. was supposed to expand its borders to the Pacific Ocean.

19. On Dec. 29, 1845 Texas became the 28th state of the United States of America. President Polk made a deal with Great Britain to split the Oregon Territory. The president then offered to buy the South West Territory from Mexico. When they refused he decided to instigate war so that he could take the land by force. The Mexican War soon began.

21. The U.S. defeated Mexico. In Feb. of 1848, a treaty was signed with Mexico  It cut Mexico in half giving the U.S. the present states of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, and California.  U.S. paid Mexico $15 million.