Expansion in Texas

1. Expansion in Texas Ch 9 Sect 3

2. Americans Settle in the Southwest • Mexicans were attempting to convert Native Americans to Catholicism & settle them on missions. • To protect the missions, Spanish troops guarded them in forts. • The mission system declined during the 1820s after Mexico won its independence from Spain. • Some NA were forced to stay & work as unpaid laborers while others launched attacks on settlers.

3. Impact of Mexican Independence • Trade opportunities developed b/w Mexico & U.S. • Mexico sought to improve its economy • Mexico eased trade restrictions making trade w/ the U.S. more profitable. • Ties b/w Mexico & its northern provinces (Texas, California, New Mexico, etc.) loosened. • Mexico’s gov. located in Mexico city was indifferent to the problems of the northern provinces. • Mexican gov. began to try to find ways to strengthen the ties b/w Mexico & its northern provinces.

4. Why do you think Mexico was loosing its control over the northern provinces?

5. Mexico Invites U.S. Settlers • To prevent boarder violations & Native American attacks, the Mexican gov. encouraged Americans to settle in the Texas. • Mexico offered large land grants • Attracted Americans who bought cheap land • Agreed to convert to Catholicism • Same restless determination that fed economic growth, led Americans to settle in the West. • Population of white settlers soon surpassed that of Mexicans.

6. Austin in Texas • Stephen Austin was the most successful land agent. • Established a colony • “no drunkard, no gambler, no profane swearer, and no idler” would be allowed • Word of Austin’s success spread around the U.S.

7. Austin in Texas • “Go to Texas” • Americans increasingly discussed extending the U.S. boarders to the Rio Grande River. • Mexico refused to sell Texas to the U.S. • Mexico began to regret its hospitality to Americans

8. Texas Fights for Independence • 1830, Mexico sealed its boarders & put a heavy tax on American goods. • Lacked troops to enforce boarder • White population continued to grow • Mexican politics became unstable

9. Texas Fights for Independence • Austin traveled to Mexico city to ask for Texas’ independence from President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. • Gov. revoked local governments causes rebellions which would become known as the Texas Revolution.

10. “Remember The Alamo • Santa Anna marched toward San Antonio • Austin called for Texans to arm • 1835, Texans attacked • Drove Mexicans from the Alamo • Santa Anna stormed the Alamo killing all the Texans

11. Lone Star Republic • 1836, Santa Anna’s troops executed 300 rebels at Goliad • 6 weeks after the Alamo, Texans defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto • Led by Sam Houston • W/ shouts of “Remember the Alamo” Texans killed Santa Anna’s troops • Treaty of Velasco granted Texas independence • Houston became president of the Republic of Texas • “Lone Star Republic”

12. Texas Joins the Union • Texans compared themselves to Americans who won independence from Great Britain. • Republic of Texas ratified a constitution based on the U.S. constitution. • 1838, Houston offered to let the U.S. annex Texas • Texans wanted to enter the union • Southerners wanted to annex Texas b/c it was a slave territory which would favor the South in Congress. • Northerners did not want to annex Texas b/c they did not want another slave state & they believed it would prompt war w/ Mexico.

13. Texas Unions the Union • 1845 President James Polk annexed Texas into the Union. • Texas became the 28th state • Mexico recalled its ambassador from Washington as events moved towards war w/Mexico.

14. Critical Thinking Questions • Why did tensions develop between Native American and Mexican inhabitants of Texas? • Why did Mexico invite American settlers to Texas? • What role did Stephen Austin play in the American settlement of Texas? • Why did the Anglo settlers in Texas rebel against the Mexican government? • What was the significance of the battle at the Alamo? • How did Texas eventually become the 28th state in the Union?