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1835-1836. The Texas War for Independence. Background. 1810: Mexico gained its independence from Spain. 1821: Mexico wanted to settle Texas. Stephen F. Austin was hired to bring settlers to Texas.
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1835-1836 The Texas War for Independence
Background • 1810: Mexico gained its independence from Spain. • 1821: Mexico wanted to settle Texas. • Stephen F. Austin was hired to bring settlers to Texas. • New settlers had to convert to Catholicism, give up their American citizenship, and free or leave behind slaves before moving to Texas.
United States Texas
Causes • 1833: General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna became the leader of Mexico. • Texas settlers lost many rights. • 1833: Stephen F. Austin was put in jail after asking for more self-government in Texas. • 1834: Many Americans living in Texas (Tejanos) wanted the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which limited the power of the central government, to be more strictly enforced.
Causes Cont. • Santa Anna cancelled the constitution. • Many Tejanos ignored Mexican laws. • To control this, troops were stationed to keep out any more settlers. • After being released from jail, Austin encouraged the Texans to rise up against the Mexican government.
Battle of Gonzales • 1835: Santa Anna gave orders to retrieve a cannon from the town of Gonzales • October 2: Mexican troops were gathered on one side of the Guadalupe River and the men of Gonzalez on the other. They stood around the cannon with a flag that read “Come and take it.” • The Texans won the battle. • This was the start of the war. • A month later, the people of Texas formed a temporary government that planned to overthrow Santa Anna.
Battle of the Alamo • In San Antonio, the Texans occupied the Alamo, an old Franciscan mission. • Santa Anna marched his troops to the Alamo and surrounded it for 13 days. • He defeated the Texans. • All but 2 Texan defenders were killed. • Santa Anna’s cruelty inspired many people to join the Texan army.
Declaring Independence • A constitution was created shortly after. • It was similar to the U.S. Constitution but had some differences. • Slavery was made officially legal. • Several days before the Battle of the Alamo, Texas delegates met to declare their independence from Mexico.
Battle of Goliad • The Mexican army attacked. • James Fannin, the Texas commander, was outnumbered and surrendered. • Santa Anna ordered for Fannin and his soldiers to be charged with treason and executed. • Many Texans and even some of the Mexican troops were shocked by this. • The Texan army had control of Goliad.
Battle of San Jacinto • Sam Houston was the commander in chief of the Texas army. • He was prepared to fight Santa Anna. • His army had to retreat east because they were outnumbered and untrained. • Houston’s army attacked the Mexican army by surprise at San Jacinto. • Santa Anna chose a poor site for his camp. • His troops had poor defenses and no way to maneuver. • Santa Anna was defeated and captured.
The New Country • Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty officially declaring Texas’s independence from Mexico before he was released to Mexico City. • He was thrown out of power by angry Mexican citizens when he returned. • The new country was called the Republic of Texas. Its capital was the new city of Houston, and Sam Houston became president.
TheNew State • As early as 1837, the Republic of Texas wanted to be a part of the United States. • 1845: Texas officially became the 28th state.