The Texas Revolution
Do we have expectations of modern day immigrants? What are those expectations? Spanish Texas The Spanish had been in the Americas since Columbus in 1492. Spain owned a large part of North America, including Texas. The Spanish Settle Texas The mission system The mission system ends The Spanish attempted to settle Native Americans rejected Texas by building missions, small mission life, where they were settlements designed to convert expected to give up their culture the Indians to Christianity. as well as their religion. The Spanish had effectively used Some Indian groups viewed the the mission system in Mexico. Spanish as dangerous trespassers, attacking the They built two dozen missions missions and towns. and presidios between the late 1600s and 1700s; they also built The system was built to convert San Antonio and Nacogdoches. the Indians and to thwart French claims. In 1762, France ceded to Despite Spanish hopes, the Spain much of its land claim in missions failed and the towns North America. never flourished. By 1800, Spain still claimed Texas, but had only three settlements in the region. Tejanos
In 1821, only about 4,000 Tejanos lived in Texas. Tejanos are people of Spanish heritage who consider Texas their home. The Spanish government tried to attract Spanish setters to Texas, but very few came.
Moses Austin
An American, Moses Austin was given permission by the Spanish government to start a colony in Texas. All the Americans had to do was follow Spanish laws. Moses died in 1821, so his son Stephen tried to start the colony. In 1821, Mexico won independence from Spain Mexican Independence Changes Texas
The Mexican government told Stephen Austin his settlers would have to become Mexican citizens and members of the Roman Catholic Church, and learn Spanish. Between 1821 and 1827, Austin attracted 297 families to his new settlement. The success of Austin’s colony attracted more land speculators and settlers to Texas from the United States. Some were looking for a new life, some were escaping from the law, and others were looking for a chance to grow rich. By 1830, the population had swelled to about 30,000,with Americans outnumbering the Tejanos six to one.
Rising Tensions in Texas
In 1829, the Mexican government outlawed slavery. The settlers wanted to keep their slaves so they could grow cotton. The Americans also didn’t want to learn Spanish or follow Mexican laws. Very few settlers had converted to Catholicism. In 1829, the Mexican government closed the state to further American immigration. Texans had to start paying taxes for the first time. Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna sent more Mexican troops to Texas. Texans began talk of breaking away from Mexico. When Stephen Austin was jailed, the Texans did revolt. Santa Anna led 6,000 troops to Texas to put down the revolt. The Alamo
The first battle between the Texans and Mexicans took place at on old mission that was used as a fort. It was called the Alamo. The Fight for the Alamo There were only 183 Texans guarding the Alamo. The Mexican army had 1,800 men. The Texans held the Alamo for twelve days. On the thirteenth day, Santa Anna ordered his men to storm the fortress. When it was over, all but five Texans were dead. The men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna. Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom.
Fighting for Independence The Runaway Scrape Texans victorious Santa Anna’s army continued to Santa Anna’s army followed defeat the Texan rebels. Houston’s forces to San Jacinto, Prisoners were held in the where Houston managed to take presidio at Goliad. the Mexican army by surprise. Texans shouted, “Remember the After Mexican soldiers executed Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!” 340 prisoners at Goliad, Houston as they won a quick victory. retreated to the east with his poorly trained army. The captured Santa Anna was forced to sign the Treaties of Word of Houston’s retreat and the Velasco, ending the war. Mexico news of the Goliad Massacre had to withdraw its troops and started a panic. recognize Texas independence. In what would be called the Problems with Mexico continued Runaway Scrape, thousands of for the Republic of Texas. Texans, including many Tejanos, fled Santa Anna’s advancing army. General Santa Anna surrenders to General Houston Lone Star Republic
In 1836, Texas declared itself The Lone Star Republic. Sam Houston was elected president. Some Americans wanted Texas to be part of the U.S. Some people were afraid of Texas becoming a slave state, others of war with Mexico. Both would eventually happen.