1836 1821

Texas Independence

1836 1821 Introduction

WARM UP: Some Canadians are angry that the state of Maine, prominently located between Quebec and New Brunswick, is part of the United States, and should be given up to Canada immediately. In fact, many Canadians live there.

1836 1821 Introduction

Form three groups, and stand on different sides of the classroom. Approximately: 3 Canadians 17 Americans 15 Undecideds

1836 1821 Introduction

Answer: (1) Should the United States give Maine to Canada? Why or why not? (2) Does Canada have the right to take Maine? Why or why not?

1836 1821 Introduction

•  "American" and "Undecided" groups to take your seats •  "Canadians" pick a place in the room to sit together •  The fate of Maine will depend upon each country’s

performance in a “Mind Battle”

1836 1821 Introduction

•  Do not begin the Mind Battle worksheet until the bowl rings

•  There are five simple multiple choice questions •  You may work together within your groups

1836 1821 Introduction

•  Americans win! •  The Canadian" put up a great fight, but didn’t have a

realistic chance of winning •  Maine will continue to be part of the United States of

America, and the "Canadians" my return to their seats

1836 1821 Westward Movement

 Americans wanted to expand to the West

 Americans, especially in the Southern region, wanted to expand slavery

1836 1821 A History of Texas

•  Americans are invited to settle the region of Tejas by the Mexican government in 1821 and are required to become Mexican citizens

•  By 1830 Americans outnumber native Mexicans

•  Disagreements will arise over slavery, religion and language

1836 1821

Causes of the Texas Revolution

•  Negligence- Mexico allowed Anglos to run their own affairs in government

•  Racism- Both sides feel that they are better than one another

•  Cultural Differences- Mexicans are Christians and speak Spanish; Anglos refuse to learn & accept Mexican culture

1836 1821

Causes of the Texas Revolution

 Slavery- Mexico had outlawed slavery in 1830 but Anglos continue to bring slaves  Government- Anglos believe in states’ rights; Mexico believes in a strong central government

1836 1821 Santa Anna

•  Mexican president who seeks to put down Texas Revolution and gain power over all of Mexico

1836 1821 New Laws in Texas

•  No more Americans were allowed to come to Texas (no immigration)

1st LAW

1836 1821 2nd Law

 All Texans had to become Mexican citizens, or they weren’t allowed there.

1836 1821 3rd Law

 All Texans had to become Catholic because that was Mexico’s religion.

1836 1821 4th Law

•  All Texans would have to pay taxes to the Mexican government.

1836 1821

The Conventions of 1832 and 1833 are held in Texas.

1832-1833

Letter to Mexican president asking for statehood.

1836 1821

After waiting for months for an answer, Austin gave up hope. He wrote letters to the settlers in Texas and told them to start a new state

government without Mexico’s permission.

1833

Stephen F. Austin

Near the end of 1833, Santa Anna finally answered. He agreed to most

of the things the settlers wanted. However, the Mexican government discovered Austin’s letters, and he

was arrested for working against the Mexican government.

1836 1821

1835 The Battle of Gonzales

On October 2, 1835, fighting broke out at the town of Gonzales. The

battle began when Mexican soldiers were sent to the town to take back a small cannon that belonged to Mexico. They had

given it to the Texans years ago to fight Native Americans.

1836 1821

1835 The Texans refused to return the cannon. Instead they hung a flag on the cannon with the words “Come and Take It.”

When the Mexican soldiers tried to take it back, about 160 Texans stopped them. The

Mexican soldiers returned to San Antonio without the

cannon. The Battle of Gonzales became known as the first

battle of the Texas Revolution.

1836 1821

Gonzales cannon • 21.5’’ long • 69 lbs.

1835

1836 1821 Battle of San Antonio

•  After the Battle of Gonzales, volunteers head up to San Antonio to kick the Mexican army out.

•  They elect Stephen F. Austin as their general.

•  General Martin Perfecto de Cos leads the Mexicans at San Antonio.

•  Texans decided to attack the Mexican troops. General Cos surrenders Dec.10, 1835.

•  Agrees to leave & remove the Mexican army

•  Agrees to never fight in Texas again (lies). Santa personally marches a large force of Mexican troops into Texas to put an end to the rebellion.

1836 1821 1836 Convention

59 delegates meet and declare Texas’ Independence from Mexico.

1836 1821

•  March 2, 1836

(Texas Independence Day)

•  Written by George Childress

•  Grievances: Stated that Mexico denied them the rights guaranteed by the Mexican Constitution of 1824

•  Also stated Texans were deprived of freedoms they were used to from the U.S. Constitution

Texas Declaration of Independence

1836 1821

Sam Houston

Chosen as the Commander-in-

Chief of the Texas Army

1836 1821

February 23 – Mar. 6, 1836

1836 1821

February 23 – Mar. 6, 1836

In late February 1836, a large part of Santa Anna’s army reached San Antonio, Texas. About 180 Texan volunteers, including eight Tejanos, defended the town. The Texans had taken over an old mission known as the Alamo. Among them was Davy Crockett, the famous frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee. Sharing command with William Travis was James Bowie, a well known Texas “freedom fighter.”

1836 1821

February 23 – Mar. 6, 1836

The Alamo’s defenders watched as General Santa Anna raised a black flag that meant “Expect no mercy.” The general demanded that the Texans surrender. Travis answered with a cannon shot.

1836 1821 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.

1836 1821 The Fight for the Alamo

When it was over, all but five Texans were dead. The men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna.

1836 1821 The Fight for the Alamo

Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom.

1836 1821 The events at the Alamo inspired the Texans to carry on

the struggle for freedom.

1836 1821 Picture of Alamo 1836

1836 1821 Alamo- 1906

1836 1821 Alamo- PRESENT DAY

1836 1821 Battle of San Jacinto

•  April 21, 1836

•  Final Battle of the Texas Revolution

•  Number of Texas soldiers - 900

(9 dead)

Number of Mexican soldiers - 1200

(600+ dead)

•  Mexico defeated in 18 minutes

•  Sam Houston had been shot in the ankle.

•  Santa Anna fled.

1836 1821

General Santa Anna surrenders to General Houston

•  Houston sent soldiers to search for Santa Anna. They caught a Mexican solder wearing common clothing. As they brought him back to camp, other Mexican prisoners shouted, “El Presidente!” Houston knew it must be Santa Anna.

•  Houston did not allow his men to hurt Santa Anna. Sam Houston believed that Santa Anna had to end the fighting. Santa Anna agreed to order all Mexican troops to leave Texas.

•  The people of Texas had won their independence.

1836 1821

Treaty of Velasco •  May 14th 1836

•  Officially ended the Texas Revolution and declared Texas Independent from Mexico

•  Acknowledged the Rio Grande as the border between Texas & Mexico

1836 1821 The Republic of Texas

These are the borders

that Texans will

claim as the new

Republic of Texas after

the Revolution

is over

Coahuila y Tejas (Before the Revolution)

1836 1821 the Republic of Texas

1836 1821 The Republic of Texas

The dispute surrounding assigning the border at the Río Grande, coupled with the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845, set the Mexican-American War into motion.

1836 1821 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.

1836 1821

Now independent in 1836, the Republic of Texas earned the nickname Lone Star Republic because of the single star on its flag. But most Texans were Americans who wanted Texas to become part of the United States.

1836 1821

Despite their wishes, Texas remained independent for ten years. People in the United States were divided over whether to annex Texas. Southerners were eager to add another slave state. Northerners who opposed slavery wanted to keep Texas out.

1836 1821

The 1844 presidential campaign was influenced by the question of whether to expand U.S. territory. One of the candidates, Henry Clay, warned, “Annexation and war with Mexico are identical.” His opponent, James K. Polk, however, was a strong believer in manifest destiny. He was eager to acquire Texas. After Polk was elected, Congress voted to annex Texas. In 1845, Texas was admitted as the 28th state.