History of Texas Independence and the Road to Statehood

Mexican Independence from Spain: In the year $1821$ , Mexico successfully gained its independence from Spain following a prolonged and grueling civil war.
The Northern Frontier: Upon achieving independence, the Mexican government inherited a vast northern frontier that was only partially populated. This expansive territory included regions that are currently recognized as:
- California (often used as a collective reference for much of the West at the time).
- New Mexico.
- Arizona.
- Utah.
- Texas.

Development Strategy: To develop and secure this sparsely populated northern frontier, the Mexican government transitioned to an active policy of offering generous invitations to Anglo settlers (Anglo Americans).
Mandatory Requirements for Settlers: The invitation was contingent upon strict adherence to specific terms dictates by the Mexican government:
- Religious Conversion: Settlers were required to agree to convert to Catholicism, which functioned as the national religion of Mexico.
- Allegiance and Citizenship: Settlers had to swear allegiance to the Mexican government and officially declare themselves Mexican citizens.

Moses Austin: He was one of the first, if not the very first, Anglo Americans to receive a significant land grant in Texas. This grant was located in the area that is now Nacogdoches.
Stephen Fuller Austin (Stephen F. Austin): Following the death of Moses Austin, the land grant responsibilities passed to his son, Stephen.
- Stephen F. Austin took up the primary role of settling people within the Texas territory.
- The Old 300: This term refers to the approximately $300$ families who originally followed Stephen F. Austin into Texas.
Early Adherence: Initially, pioneers like Stephen F. Austin and other early leaders made rigorous efforts to follow the Mexican government's rules, including the religious and civic requirements.

Shifting Demographics: As time progressed, the volume of settlers increased significantly. The newer waves of migrants were often less inclined to follow official rules. This included:
- Squatters.
- Debtors (individuals fleeing financial obligations).
- Criminals (individuals running away from their past or looking for a new life).
Numerical Growth: Soon, there were approximately $25,000$ Americans residing in Texas.
The Tejanos: This group consisted of Mexicans who were living in Texas.
Common Grievances: Both the Anglo Americans and the Tejanos began to find common cause in resenting the centralized rule of the government in Mexico City. Their shared concerns included:
- Erosion of Local Control: As the Mexican government became more active in Texan affairs, local autonomy was diminished.
- Cultural Tensions: Anglo settlers struggled to abandon their "Americanization" and found it difficult to offer full allegiance to the Mexican state.
- Abolition of Slavery: The Mexican government’s move to abolish slavery deeply alienated many southern migrants who had brought enslaved people into the territory.

Ascension to Power: In $1832$ , General Antonio Lopez de Santana (Santa Anna), a prominent Mexican politician and soldier, became the President of Mexico.
Initial Expectations: Colonists originally hoped Santa Anna would be a liberal leader who might allow Texas to become a self-governing state within the Republic of Mexico.
Shift to Dictatorship: By $1834$ , Santa Anna overthrew the constitutional government of Mexico. He abolished state governments and effectively installed himself as a dictator.
Imprisonment of Austin: When Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City to negotiate and settle the grievances of the Texans, Santa Anna had him imprisoned in a Mexican jail for over a year ( $1$ year).

Constitutional Convention of 11/03/1835: American colonists adopted a constitution and organized a temporary government.
- During this specific session, they voted overwhelmingly against declaring independence.
- The goal at this stage was to attract Mexican liberals to a joint effort to depose Santa Anna and restore power to state governments (including the hope for a separate, autonomous state of Texas).
Full Declaration of Independence: When diplomatic and internal efforts failed later in $1835$ , Texas finally adopted an official declaration of independence.
Mexican Response: In response to the rebellion, Santa Anna assembled an army and began marching north to suppress the uprising.

Texas Command: The main Texas army was placed under the command of Sam Houston, a former governor of Tennessee who had migrated to Texas to join the struggle.
Key Figures and Volunteers: The fight attracted various volunteers from outside Texas, including:
- Davy Crockett.
- Diem Bui.
- Liam Bear Travis.
Defensive Strategy: While Sam Houston worked to organize and assemble his main forces, smaller detachments were used to shield the main army and delay Santa Anna’s advance.
Delaying Tactics and Sacrifices:
- Goliad: A site of desperate resistance where Texan forces were destroyed.
- The Alamo: Another site of total destruction for the defending force.
- Despite the losses, these battles succeeded in delaying the Mexican army and allowing Houston time to prepare.
The Composition of the Militia: The Texan forces were makeshift militias described as comprising frontiersmen, people with military experience, Tejanos, and sometimes slaves.

Overconfidence of Santa Anna: Confident of his victory, Santa Anna divided his forces while pursuing Houston's retreating army.
The Battle of San Jacinto: Seeing a strategic opening, Sam Houston’s army launched a midday ambush against the divided Mexican forces.
Capture and Surrender: Santa Anna was captured during the battle. Under the explicit threat of death or hanging, Santa Anna signed documents granting Texas independence and surrendered the territory.
The Republic of Texas (1836): Texas became an independent country in $1836$ .
The Recognition Issue: The Mexican government never recognized the independence of Texas because the treaty was signed by Santa Anna under duress (while he was being threatened with death).

Annexation in 1845: The United States officially annexed Texas in $1845$ .
Inherited Disputes: By annexing Texas, the United States also inherited all of the "baggage" and disputes associated with the territory:
- Mexico still maintained that Texas was not rightfully independent.
- Border Disputes: Texas and the United States claimed the border was the Rio Grande. Mexico recognized the border as the Nueces River.
Outbreak of War: These unresolved issues and the annexation itself led directly to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War in $1846$ , approximately one ( $1$ ) year after the annexation of Texas.