Mexican + Texas Independence, Annexation

Effects of Mexican Independence (WMMSBGE)

• won independence from Spain in 1821

• Men were free to elect reps to gov

• Mexico gov opposed Roman Catholic church

• secularized missions

• by 1830 a handful of priests remained

• gap between poor and rich became larger

• economic reforms encouraged trade w/ US

Trade w/ US (CANBS)

• Early 1830’s - caravans/wagons traveled regularly along Santa Fe Trail (Ind. MO sante Fe NM)

• American fur traders/merchants took advantage of economic openings

• new englanders sailed around S. America to reach the west dominated trade w/ CA in fur, cattle hides, and tallow

• brought finished goods from New England

• strong economic ties w/ TX, New Mexico, CA before it gained political control over areas

Texans seek independence (FSA)

• flow of american’s in Mexican territory of Texas was taking over

• Stephen Austin, founded colony of several hundred families in east texas

• Austin, member of MO, legislature led the 1st organized group of American settlers into texas

By 1824 (2M)

• 2k immigrants lived in Austin’s colony

• Mexican colonization law promised American immigrants cheap land, tax breaks, and protection of the Mexican gov

By 1830 (7MO)

• 7k lived in Texas, twice # of mexicans

• Mexico was concerned they were losing control and passed laws forbidding any more settlers

• outlawed importation of slaves - Americans ignored laws and kept crossing the border

By 1835 (3DADD)

• 30k Americans lived in texas

• demanded more political control - wanted slavery guaranteed

• Austin blocked ban on slavery

• divided between support of Austin and Travis who wanted independence from mexico

• dictator of Mexico Santa Anna stripped Texas of their remaining rights of self-government

nov 1835

independent-minded settlers clashed w/ Mexican troops

texas wins independence prep (EGHTL)

• texas named sam Houston as their commander in chief

• general Santa Anna led army of thousand north to put down rebellion

• headed for Alamo ( walled Spanish mission fortress in San Antonio)

• Texans had 2k men, prep to meet Santa Anna

• their leaders travis. bowie tried to slow the gen process

battle of alamo (LTM)

• lasted 13 days

• Texans fought v 4k Mexican troops

• most of 200 tex died - Travis, Bowie, crockett

1836 (S8CTHL)

• Santa anna divided troops to finish off rebels

• 800 rebels regrouped at San Jacinto river under houstin

• cries of “remember the Alamo”, destroyed Mexican troops

• texans captured Anna, forced him to sign treaty

• Houston pres, drafted a constitution

• loss of Texas enraged mex gov, led war US + Mex

Manifest destiny

God given right to move west “obvious or undeniable fate”

1840s

americans believed that no other nation should be allowed to keep the US from fulfilling its destiny

in 1836 after winning independence from mexico

texans voted to be annexed (join) by the US

who supported this?

southerners/democrats. 1 more slave state

who opposed this

northerners/whigs, feared slave state shift balance of power

worried annexation would lead to war w/ mex

Anna warned annexation meant war

annexation 1844 (PWPT)

• pres Tyler signed

• whigs Senate defeated treaty

• pres polk (strong expanionist) suggest majority of mericans wanted texas

• congress approved

• Texas becomes 28th state in the union