Texas Independence
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.
Introduction Form three groups, and stand on different sides of the classroom. Approximately: 3 Canadians 17 Americans 15 Undecideds
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?
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
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
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
Westward Movement Americans wanted to expand to the West Americans, especially in the Southern region, wanted to expand slavery
A History of Texas Americans are invited to settle the region of Tejas by the Mexican government in and are required to become Mexican citizens By 1830 Americans outnumber native Mexicans Disagreements will arise over slavery, religion and language
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
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
Santa Anna Mexican president who seeks to put down Texas Revolution and gain power over all of Mexico
New Laws in Texas 1 st LAW No more Americans were allowed to come to Texas (no immigration)
2 nd Law All Texans had to become Mexican citizens, or they weren t allowed there.
3 rd Law All Texans had to become Catholic because that was Mexico s religion.
4 th Law All Texans would have to pay taxes to the Mexican government.
The Conventions of 1832 and 1833 are held in Texas. 1832-1833 Letter to Mexican president asking for statehood.
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. 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. 1833 Stephen F. Austin
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. 1835
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.
1835 Gonzales cannon 21.5 long 69 lbs.
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.
Convention 59 delegates meet and declare Texas Independence from Mexico.
Texas Declaration of Independence March 2, (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
Sam Houston Chosen as the Commander-in- Chief of the Texas Army
February 23 Mar. 6,
February 23 Mar. 6, In late February, 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.
February 23 Mar. 6, 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.
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.
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.
The Fight for the Alamo Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom.
The events at the Alamo inspired the Texans to carry on the struggle for freedom.
Picture of Alamo
Alamo- 1906
Alamo- PRESENT DAY
Battle of San Jacinto April 21, 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.
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.
Treaty of Velasco May 14 th Officially ended the Texas Revolution and declared Texas Independent from Mexico Acknowledged the Rio Grande as the border between Texas & Mexico
The Republic of Texas Coahuila y Tejas (Before the Revolution) These are the borders that Texans will claim as the new Republic of Texas after the Revolution is over
the Republic of Texas
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 MexicanAmerican War into motion.
Lone Star Republic In, 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.
Now independent in, 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.
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.
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.