Westward Expansion

The Republic of Texas

1830’s Objective: To examine the causes and effects of the Texan Revolution.

Americans in Mexican Texas

• Texas was part of the Spanish colony of Mexico • Many farmers looked to move here. • Spain refused to let Americans settle in Texas • 1821, Spain gave Moses Austin a land grant.

– Moses died before setting up a colony, but his son Stephen did – Capital of Texas is Austin named after Stephen Austin.

• Before Stephen was able to set up a colony, Mexico had won their independence from Spain • Austin went to Mexico City to make sure that the new gov’t supported the land grant

• New leaders agreed to let Austin bring settlers to Texas.

• Mexico wanted settlers to – Develop the land – Control Indian attacks • 300 families moved to Texas • Many came from the cotton country of the Southeast – Built large cotton plantations and brought in slaves to work the land. • Other land grants were given out b/c of the success of Austin’s colony. • By 1830 there were 20,000 American settlers.

However, the settlers had to agree to the following: 1 – they must become Roman Catholics 2 – they must become Mexican citizens 3 – they must obey all Mexican laws

Religions of Mexico

Roman Catholic 89% Protestant 6% Jehovah’s Witnesses 4% Judaism 0.4% Islam 0.3%

Conflict w/ Mexico

• In exchange for land, American settlers agreed to – become Mexican citizens – worship the Roman Catholic Church • Felt no loyalty to Mexico – Spoke little or no Spanish – Protestant-not Roman Catholic • Led to conflict between settlers and the Mexican government

• By 1830, 20,000 U.S. colonists lived in Texas.

• Slavery was illegal in Mexico, but the settlers brought slaves anyway!

Mexico Fears Losing Texas

• 1830, Mexico stopped American settlers from entering Texas. • Mexico feared the Americans would try to take Texas and make it a part of the USA.

– US had already tried 2x to purchase this land.

• Mexico asserts authority by enforcing laws that have been ignored.

– Worship Roman Catholic Church – Outlawed slavery • Mexico sends troops to enforce laws.

• General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna gained power in 1833 • • Threw out the Mexican Constitution and became dictator

Dictator

-ruler with absolute power and authority • Rumors Spread that Santa Anna wanted to drive out the American Settlers.

Texans Take Action

• Americans in Texas felt that with Santa Anna in power, they needed to take action.

• Had support of many Tejanos –

Tejano

- people of Mexican descent born in Texas.

– Wanted to get rid of Santa Anna • Oct 1835 Texas in Gonzales forced out Mexican troops – Stephen Austin vowed to “see Texas forever free from Mexican Domination.” – 2 months later--Texans occupied city of San Antonio – Santa Anna marched north with a large army

Texan Independence

• On March 2, 1836, Texas seceded from Mexico, becoming an independent country.

• Sam Houston was given command of the army •Tejanos, Americans, African Americans fought for Texas independence.

• Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna sent troops to stop Texas.

Mexican Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna

Siege at the Alamo

• Texans take position at an old Spanish Mission in San Antonio —The Alamo • They waited for the Mexicans to attack.

• Texans were poorly equipped – Food – Water – Ammunition – Medicine • 150 Texans vs. 6,000 Mexican troops • William Travis in command at the Alamo • Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie

• Colonel William Travis commanded 187 settlers in the Alamo.

• February 23, 1836—Mexican Troops began the siege of the Alamo –

Siege:

enemy forces try to capture a city or fort, often by surrounding and bombarding it. • Texans bravely defended the as the walls were pounded by cannon balls • Travis sent a messenger through the Mexican lines with a letter addressed “to the People of Texas and all the Americans in the World” – “I shall never surrender or retreat. I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and of everything dear to the American character to come to our aid with all speed….VICTORY OR DEATH!” • 2/24/36

• Santa Anna sent over 6,000 troops to destroy the Alamo.

• Travis also sent scouts to find more volunteers and food – 40 men managed to slip through enemy lines and join the fighters in the Alamo • 12 days the bombardment continued.

• March 6 Mexican cannons shattered the mission walls.

– Santa Anna now launched an all out attack – Soldiers poured over the Alamo walls screaming “Viva Santa Anna!” – Hand to hand combat ensued – 180 Texans and 1,500 Mexicans died – Texan survivors were executed

• After 13 days, every man was killed by Mexican troops.

• “Remember the Alamo” became a battle cry throughout the Texas revolution.

"The Alamo," Russell Roberts, oil on board.

Video Review

This painting was produced as the backdrop for the opening credits to the 1960 movie "The Alamo," starring John Wayne

Texan Independence

• Fall of the Alamo ignited cries of revenge.

• Anger grew even more when weeks later, Mexican soldiers killed soldiers fighting for the Texas cause – they had already surrendered (Goliad) • New volunteers signed up for the Texas cause – Houston worked hard to turn them into an effective army.

– Eager to attack, but Houston held back. • Houston found his chance to attack Santa Anna

• Scouts reported that Santa Anna and Mexican troops were encamped near the San Jacinto River.

• April 21, 1836 the Texans caught their enemies by surprise.

– Battle cries: • “ Remember the Alamo” • “Remember Goliad” • Battle of San Jacinto lasted 18 minutes – Texans outnumbered – Killed 630 Mexicans and captured 700 more – Captured Santa Anna the next day • Forced him to sign a treaty granting Texas Independence

Battle of San Jacinto - April 21, 1836

• Gen. Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna, taking him prisoner.

Gen. Santa Anna standing before the wounded Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto.

Video Review

The Lone Star Republic

• After independence called the Lone Star Republic • Used US Constitution to write their own Constitution • Sept 1836 voters elected Sam Houston as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

– Austin is capital, named after Stephen Austin – Mexico didn’t accept the Treaty signed by Santa Anna – Nearly Bankrupt – Comanche and other Indian groups threatened to attack small Texas communities.

– Solve their problems—become part of the USA

• Divided on whether annex Texas –

Annex

: add on to – Reflected sectional differences (N vs. S) • Issue:

SLAVERY

– Southerners favored the idea – Northerners opposed – President Jackson worried that annexing Texas would lead to war with Mexico • Congress refused to annex Texas.

• 9 years the leaders of the LSR worked to attract new settlers – Offered free land to settle – Thousands moved to Texas during the Panic of 1837 • Immigrants from Germany and Switzerland • 1840’s-140,000 people lived in Texas

Texas Annexation

• Congress passes a joint resolution to annex Texas.

• 1845, the United States annexed Texas • December 29, 1845 Texas enters statehood • 28 th State of the USA