American History
Unit 11:
Manifest Destiny (Part 02):
Texas Independence
A Country Called Texas
I. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.
II. Texas
A. Northern border of Mexico.
B. Mexico worried about American expansion.
C. Texas was a vast area, unpopulated except by Indians.
1. Mexico offered large tracts of land free of charge.
a. Wanted to get loyal Mexicans to move there.
2. Finally had to advertise for Europeans and Americans.
a. Immigrants had to promise to obey all Mexican laws.
b. Immigrants were to become loyal Mexican citizens.
c. Conditions for Mexican citizenship:
1c. No slaves and must learn to speak Spanish.
The state of Texas is the only state in the nation that has been
under six flags, which includes the flags of Spain, France,
Mexico, the Lone Star Republic of Texas, the Confederate
States of America, and the United States.
A Country Called Texas: Stephen Austin
III. Stephen Austin
A. Stephen Austin started four colonies in Texas Territory.
B. Too many Americans immigrate to Texas Territory.
1. The Mexican government could not control the flood of immigrants.
a. Texas was becoming more American than Mexican.
b. 30,000 Americans compared to only 3,500 Mexicans.
Stephen Austin
Texas Independence: Santa Anna
I. Santa Anna
A. Santa Anna (Mexican dictator) sent army to control Texas in 1835.
B. American settlers didn't like the Mexican army and asked Santa Anna to
recall them.
Santa Anna: Mexican President and military
general decided to teach the trespassing Texans
a lesson.
Texas Independence: Gonzales
II. Gonzales Oct. 2, 1835.
A. The Americans and Mexicans fought
1. An American victory.
a. Santa Anna vowed to punish the trespassing Texans.
B. The Texans proclaimed independence on March 2, 1836.
The first American colonization of Texas
began in 1824
Texas Independence: The Alamo
III. The Alamo
A. Santa Anna vowed revenge for defeat at Gonzales and the Texan proclamation
of independence.
B. Santa Anna marched the Mexican army north into Texas.
C. Laid siege to an old mission called the Alamo.
1. Santa Anna commanded a force of 6,000 men.
2. The Alamo was defended by 183 Texans.
D. The siege lasted two weeks.
1. The final attack came on March 6, 1836.
a. All of the Texan defenders were killed.
1a. The legends of Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
b. The Mexicans lost over 1200 men in the battle.
The Alamo: A Texas Shrine
Fun Facts About the Alamo
Davy Crockett: A former Tennessee congressman felt
strongly in the Texas cause. He was one of five people
captured at the Alamo and executed by General Santa Anna.
The Bowie knife: A fearsome weapon designed by
Jim Bowie, one of the defenders of the Alamo.
The nickname for the Tennessee “Volunteers”
came from the number of Tennessee men who
volunteered to fight and die at the Alamo.
The Battle of the Alamo
Texas Independence: Goliad
III. The Mexican army also attacked Goliad.
A. Mexican army executed 200 Texans at Goliad on
March 27, 1836.
1. Texas settlers and the American public angered.
Map:
Fight for
Texas
Independence
Texas Independence: San Jacinto
IV. Texas Independence
A. The Alamo and Goliad gave Sam Houston and his army time to prepare.
B. Sam Houston attacked and defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto.
1. Mexican Army caught napping April 21, 1836.
2. Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its
independence.
C. Texas became the Lone Star State nine years later.
Sam Houston: rallied the Texans with the Battle Cry, “Remember the Alamo” and soundly defeated
Santa Anna six weeks after the Alamo at San Jacinto.
Manifest Destiny (Part 02) Review
1. What conditions did Mexico ask to be followed to move into Texas?
2. Who was Stephen Austin?
3. Who was Santa Anna and why was he angry at the Texan settlers?
4. How did the Texican war begin against Mexico?
5. Describe the Battle of the Alamo and some of the individuals involved.
6. What happened at Goliad?
7. Who was Sam Houston?
8. Describe the Battle of San Jacinto.