1. Independence for Texas
Chapter 7 Section 3

2. Main Idea Mexico invited Americans to settle Texas
In return, Americans had to adopt Mexican customs, obey Mexican law, and become Catholic

3. Empresarios and Settlers
Empresario – Spanish word meaning “agent” or “contractor”
Under National Colonization Act, Mexico gave 26 empresarios large grants of Texas land
In exchange they had to fill with settlers
Stephen F. Austin most successful empresario

4. Main Idea #2
When Mexico tried to enforce laws, American settlers rebelled, established independent state

5. Texas Goes to War
Sam Houston, former governor of Tennessee, took command of military
180 Texas rebels held up in abandoned Spanish mission called Alamo
Santa Anna’s forces overran rebels and were defeated at Alamo

6. The Republic of Texas Sam Houston elected first president of Texas
Texans voted in favor of annexation, becoming part of U.S.
Northern members of Congress rejected idea, opposed admitting Texas as slave state
President Jackson did not want to annex, but he recognized Texas as independent nation