History Lesson 6 The West (Grades 8) Instruction 6-3 Texas War of Independence www.etap.org Texas War for Independence In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain. Although still a big country, it was even bigger then. In 1821, Mexico included what are now the states of Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California and part of Colorado. Shortly after independence, an American, Moses Austin, received a grant from the Mexican government. This grant allowed 200 American families to settle in what is now Texas. His son, Stephen F. Austin, renegotiated the grant in 1823 and more settlers poured in. Many brought their slaves with them. In 1824, a new Mexican constitution was ratified making Texas part of the Mexican state of Coahiula. But there were troubles right from the start. The Anglo (American) settlers came into conflict with a series of unstable but authoritarian Mexican governments. In 1830, Mexico's Congress passed a law forbidding further U.S. immigration into Texas. It didn't allow settlers to buy land. It prohibited the importation of slaves. This outraged the Anglo-Texans. They vowed to separate from Mexico. Stephen Austin presented a petition for Texas independence to Mexico leader General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna in 1834. He was promptly thrown into jail -- and kept there. In retaliation, a group of Texans seized the Mexican garrison at Anahuac. Other skirmishes followed, including the Battle of Gonzales on October 2, 1835. The Texas War for Independence had begun. General Santa Anna raised an army of 6000 and marched against Texas. On February 23, 1836, his forces attacked the Alamo, a fortress in San Antonio. A defending army of 187 Texans led by William B. Travis (who wasn't even a Texan) held off 3000 Mexicans for an incredible two weeks. But on March 6 all the defenders were massacred, including Indian scout Davy Crockett. On March 27, Santa Anna also massacred more than 300 defenders of Goliad. 1 of 3 California Content Standards Grade 8 8.8.6 © B. J. Subbiondo 2003 History Lesson 6 The West (Grades 8) Instruction 6-3 Texas War of Independence www.etap.org Remember the Alamo While these hostilities were going on, Texas formally declared its independence on March 2, 1836. Sam Houston was named commander of the Army of Texas. On April 21, he led his troops into battle on the banks of the San Jacinto River with the cry "Remember the Alamo." In a decisive battle, the Texans won. Santa Anna was captured and forced to recognize Texas as an independent state. The Mexican Congress repudiated this recognition. But it didn't really matter. Texas proclaimed itself "The Lone Star Republic." It was free. Resolutions calling for the recognition of Texas were immediately introduced in the U.S. Congress. President Jackson hesitated, fearing war with Mexico. But on March 3, 1837, he relented -- a little. He agreed to send an official representative to Texas. But instead of sending a full ambassador he sent a low-level charge d'affairs. Annexation On August 4, 1837, Texas petitioned for annexation to the United States. The petition was rejected. The question of the annexation of Texas was complicated. Northern abolitionists were opposed -- fearing that several slave states would be carved from the former Mexican territory. Southern states, of course, were for it. Rebuffed by the United States, Texas pursued its foreign policy as an independent country, signing treaties with both Britain and Belgium. Britain favored an independent Texas as a buffer against U.S. expansion. It also saw 2 of 3 California Content Standards Grade 8 8.8.6 © B. J. Subbiondo 2003 History Lesson 6 The West (Grades 8) Instruction 6-3 Texas War of Independence www.etap.org Texas as a potential base for a war against slavery. As well as a convenient duty-free market for British goods. The American government was alarmed by growing British influence in Texas. It began to reconsider annexation. But on August 23, 1843, Mexican President Santa Anna notified the U.S. that the Mexican government would consider U.S. annexation of Texas a declaration of war. In spite of this, the United States reopened negotiations for annexation. As part of these negotiations, Texas President Sam Houston asked for (and got) American military and naval protection along the Gulf of Mexico and the southwestern border. But annexation wasn't to happen all that easily. Abolitionists in Congress blocked it over and over again. The issue played a big part in the American presidential election of 1844. It was not until a new U.S. President, James Polk, came into office that legislation was finally signed making Texas the 28th state of the union. The date was December 29, 1845. War with Mexico was now inevitable. 3 of 3 California Content Standards Grade 8 8.8.6 © B. J. Subbiondo 2003
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