SPANISH TEXAS Spanish land called Tejas bordered the United States territory called Louisiana. This land was rich and desirable. Tejas was a state in the Spanish colony of New Spain but had few Spanish settlers. Americans trying to claim this land as part of the Louisiana Purchase were driven off by Spanish soldiers. In 1821, about 4,000 Tejanos lived in Texas. Tejanos are people of Spanish heritage who consider Texas their home.
Comanche, Apache and other tribes fought against the colonial settlement of Texas. Why did they do this? But Spanish officials wanted MORE settlers to move to Texas to help defend the land against the Native Americans and Americans who illegally sneaked into Texas. They attempted to attract more people to Texas by offering huge sections of land in return.
March 09, 2012 Moses Austin asks Spain for permission to start a colony in Texas. He is given one of the large sections of land and agrees to bring 300 families to his colony. In exchange, he has to agree that settlers on his land will follow SPANISH LAWS. Moses Austin Unfortunately, Moses Austin dies 5 months later but leaves his dream to start a colony in Spanish territory to his son, Stephen. After Mexico gains its independence from Spain, Stephen Austin receives permission to colonize and settlers begin arriving. Stephen Austin
The new settlers would have to agree to the following: 1) become Mexican citizens and obey Mexican laws 2) become members of the Roman Catholic Church Think about it: Why would the new settlers have to agree to these rules? Stephen Austin frowned on lying, using foul language, or drinking alcohol and he believed in strong morals and hard work. He was able to attract 297 families to his new settlement. They became known as the "Old Three Hundred". Austin's colony is a success!! Many families in the South and Midwest sought escape from poverty and debt by getting a fresh start in Texas. Back in those days when one would ride up to an abandoned house, odds are Gone to Texas or GTT would be written in chalk across the front door or posted on a sign nailed to a fence.
Uh oh...thousands of United States settlers begin moving into Texas without Mexico's permission. Unlike Austin's colonists, they never promise to uphold Mexican laws or accept the Roman Catholic faith. Instead, they want to keep their OWN ways of living. This included SLAVERY! Slave owners became upset when, in 1829, the Mexican government prohibited slavery. They wanted to maintain slavery so they could grow cotton. The cotton growers protest so vigorously that the government decided to permit slavey again for a while.
Also...settlers from the United States were quarreling with the form of government in Mexico. They wanted to have the same voice in government that they enjoyed in the United States. Mexican officials begin to notice the tensions and started to crack down on Texas. First, it closed the state to further American immigration. Next, it required Texans to pay taxes for the first time. Finally, to enforce the new laws, the government sent more Mexican troops to Texas.
PROTEST!! These actions brought furious protests from the Anglo settlers. They began talking about defending their rights and some talk began about splitting Texas from the Mexican state to which it belonged. Stephen Austin travels to Mexico City with a petition that demands reforms and improvements by both Anglos and Tejanos. The reforms include a repeal of the ban against immigration and creation of a separate state of TEXAS! Austin meets with General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the Mexican president.
When they met, Santa Anna insisted that Texas remain part of Mexico. Austin had written a letter urging Texans to go ahead with statehood. When the letter fell into government hands, Santa Anna threw Austin in prison. The Texans were furious and ready to rebel. Santa Anna's answer to the talk of rebellion was...send MORE TROOPS TO TEXAS!
Santa Anna orders soldiers to seize a cannon at the Texas town of Gonzales. When Mexican troops arrive, they face dozens of Texas volunteers. Above the cannon, the Texans had hung a flag that read "Come and Take It." The Mexican troops failed to capture the cannon. Today, many Texans consider the fight at Gonzales the first battle in the Texas war for independence.
On March 2, 1836, Texans met at Washington-on-the-Brazos and announced the creation of the Republic of Texas. They placed Sam Houston in command of the army. Sam Houston Meanwhile, in San Antonio, less than 200 Texas soldiers took cover in and defended an empty mission called the Alamo. The defenders included William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie. Crockett Travis Bowie
March 09, 2012 For twelve days Santa Anna's forces shelled the mission. Defenders inside the Alamo held out against overwhelming odds. On the 13th day, Santa Anna ordered more than 1,800 men to storm the fortress. The Texans met the attackers with a hailstorm of cannon and gun fire. The Texans eventually run out of ammunition. All but 5 Texans were dead. The Battle of the Alamo was over.
Susanna Dickinson, one of the survivors, was ordered by Santa Anna to tell the story of the Alamo to other Texans in hopes it would discourage more rebellion. She met with Sam Houston and told him the news. It angered the Texans but also inspired them. Houston Houston vowed to prevent another Alamo so he sent word to James Fannin, the commander at Goliad, to abandon the fort there. Fannin waited several days before obeying the orders and when he finally led his troops from the town they ran into a Mexican army. The Texans were forced to surrender and more than 350 fell before Mexican firing squads. Dickinson Mexican Firing Squad
Santa Anna catches up with Sam Houston near the San Jacinto River. The Texans advanced on the Mexican army "with the stillness of death" screaming, "REMEMBER THE ALAMO!" and "REMEMBER GOLIAD!" In just 18 minutes, the Texans killed more than half of the Mexican army. Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its freedom. March 09, 2012
Texas was now INDEPENDENT. In September 1836, Texans raised a flag with a single star. They adopted a nickname - LONE STAR REPUBLIC - and proclaimed Texas an independent nation.
Many Texans considered themselves Americans and wanted to be part of the United States. In 1836, the Texas government asked Congress to annex Texas to the Union. Many Northerners opposed the idea fearing another slave state. Others feared annexing Texas would lead to war with Mexico. In response, Congress voted against annexation. Texas remained an independent republic for almost 10 years.