A Country Called Texas

A Country Called Texas

Americans in Mexican Texas Ever since the early 1800 s many Americans had looked eagerly to Texas. Spain at first would not let Americans into the region, knowing our past history of growth. Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, and agreed to let Americans move in.

Mexico in 1825 Shortly after independence

Not many Mexicans lived there, and Mexico hoped Americans would develop the land and help control Indian attacks. Stephen F. Austin was the first American given permission to bring settlers to Mexican Texas.

Americans were required to be loyal citizens of Mexico, and had to worship in the Catholic church. Stephen F. Austin By 1830, about 20,000 Americans were in Texas.

Mexico Tightens its Laws As more and more Americans moved in, they did not feel loyal to Mexico. Plus, many did not want to practice Catholicism because they were Protestants. In 1830, Mexico passed a law banning more Americans from moving in. They were afraid the U.S. would try to take over the territory. The U. S. had already offered to buy the region. The Mexican military was even sent to try and enforce the laws.

Americans and Tejanos (Mexicans living in Texas) decided to take action. They did not like General Santa Anna, the military dictator who had taken over Mexico. Skirmishes with Mexican troops took place. Texans Take Action

Texans took over the town of San Antonio. Santa Anna was furious and marched north with troops. In 1836, Texans declared independence, and set up the Republic of Texas. Sam Houston was their leader. The army was made up of people from many different backgrounds.

Remember the Alamo! Much of the army had drifted away from San Antonio. Only a few hundred people were left to defend the town. They used an old mission called the Alamo to defend themselves. Its walls were 12 feet high, and 3 feet thick. They were brave people, but were ill-equipped. Supplies of food, medicine, and ammunition were low. They numbered just under 200, while the Mexicans had an army of close to 2,000!

The Alamo in 1836

26 year old William Travis was the man in charge of defending the Alamo against the advancing Mexican forces.

On February 23, 1836, a lookout spotted the gleam of Mexican soldiers swords. William Travis had four guns placed by each fighter so they could get off multiple shots before reloading. At first they easily picked off the Mexican soldiers. Still Travis knew they were in big trouble unless help arrived. He secretly sent out scouts to get reinforcements, but not many arrived.

For 12 days they held out. On March 6, the Mexicans broke through the Alamo s walls. When the bodies were counted, over 180 Texans were dead, as well as were hundreds of Mexicans. Survivors were immediately executed, and a few women and children were sent away to another town to warn others what had happened. Mexican soldiers were properly buried, while the bodies of the Texans were piled up and burned.

Popular frontier hero Davy Crockett was among those killed at the Alamo. A few weeks later, Mexicans slaughtered some troops at Goliad, Texas, who had surrendered. They were under the command Texas Colonel James Fannin.

The slaughter of Fannin s forces was gruesome. He was forced to watch, as over 300 of his men were lined up and shot. Any survivors were clubbed to death or stabbed. Fannin himself was sat in a chair and blindfolded. The Mexicans ignored his final requests, and shot him in the face, spat on him, and burned his body. They also took his personal belongings.

Santa Anna believed that this brutality would scatter Texan forces and end any more thoughts of rebellion. He was completely mistaken! These slaughters angered Texans, and even more people poured into the army. Texans today are proud of their independent heritage, and the stories of fighting back against the odds.

While the Mexicans were busy at the Alamo and elsewhere, Sam Houston had organized his army. At a place called San Jacinto, with cries of Remember the Alamo, Texans attacked Santa Anna and his troops. In a battle that lasted only 18 minutes, the outnumbered Texans killed 630 Mexicans and captured 700 more. Santa Anna was captured the next day and forced to sign a treaty granting Texas its Independence.

The Battle of San Jacinto

The Texas Revolution was successful after the battle at San Jacinto.

The Lone Star Republic In battle, Texans had carried a flag with a white star on it. After gaining independence, they nicknamed their nation the Lone Star Republic. They created a Constitution that was very similar to that of the United States. Sam Houston was elected the first president of the republic.

Dallas Cowboys Logo Houston Texans Logo

Texas faced some serious problems after the fight for independence. Mexico did not want to accept the treaty, and still claimed Texas as one of its provinces. The nation of Texas was also nearly bankrupt from the war. To solve their problems, many Texans wanted to join the United States.

Divisions over Texas Most southerners were in favor of annexing Texas. They wanted more land in the South, and Texas looked like a great place to grow cotton. Northerners did not want more slave territory added to the United States. More slave states would mean the North would have less power in Congress. Andrew Jackson also worried that annexing Texas would lead to war with Mexico. For awhile, Texas remained an independent nation.