The Lone Star Republic

1819It fixed the western boundary of the Louisiana Purchase as beginning at the mouth of the Sabine River and running along its south and west bank to the thirty-second parallel and then directly north to the Río Rojo (Red River).

American Settlement in Coahuila-Texas

1824Mexico encouraged American colonization to encourage expansion of Mexican economy

Empresarios bestowed land grants to recruit peaceful settlers

18307,000 Americans in Texas (double the Mexican population); Mexico closed immigration but couldn’t enforce it (ironic, huh?) By 1836 there are 30,000 white Americans in Texas; 5,000 black slaves; 4,000 Mexicans

1834Antionio Lopez de Santa Anna became President; restricts power of Mexican states and spurs state rebellions; Anglo-Texans sought restoration of the more liberal Constitution of 1824

1835Santa Anna invaded Texas

Jim Bowie

American Settlement in Coahuila-Texas, con’t.

Texas Revolution1835At a Consultation held in San Felipe de Austin, members of Stephen Austin'sAmerican colony issue a "Declaration of the People of Texas," proclaiming their independence of Santa Anna's government on the grounds that he has violated the Mexican constitution by proclaiming himself dictator.

1836Meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texans voted a Declaration of Independence, appointed an interim government and elected Sam Houston, former governor of Tennessee, commander-in-chief of the army.

Houston ordered his troops to withdraw from the fortress-like Alamo in San Antonio and the fortified town of Goliad, convinced that he could defeat Santa Anna's superior numbers only by drawing his army into a chase.

The headstrong defenders of the Alamo and Goliad ignored Houston's commands.

Santa Anna lead a force of 5,000 troops into San Antonio to put down the Texas rebellion. On March 6, the Mexicans brutally overwhelmed 187 Texans at the Alamo. Colonels William B. Travis, James Bowieand Davie Crockett died in the massacre, which costs as many as 1,600 Mexican lives. A few weeks later, to the south, some 300 Texans, commanded by James W. Fannin, were defeated and captured near Goliad. Santa Anna ordered them all executed.

Engraving of Davy Crockett by C. Stuart,from original portrait by J. G. Chapman; circa 1839.

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee

Greenest state in the land of the free

Killed him a b’ar when he was only three

Davy, Davy Crockett,

The King of the Wild Frontier

Remember the Alamo!1836Santa Anna pursued Houston to Harrisburg, wanting Houston to stand and fight. Eluded by Houston, Santa Anna turned back to intercept Houston's forces along the San Jacinto River. Houston launched a surprise attack routing the Mexicans and capturing Santa Anna.

Houston secured recognition of Texan independence.

Santa Anna was driven out but his agreement to recognize Texas independence was denounced. For a decade, Mexican troops and Texans continued to clash intermittently along the border.

1836Sam Houston was elected the first President of the Republic of Texas, beating Stephen Austin 4-to-1

Texans voted to seek annexation by the United States...

1837Congress refused to annex Texas, bowing to abolitionist opponents who call it a "slavocracy.“

President Andrew Jackson recognizes the Republic of Texas on his last day in office.

The saga continues…

…1845Texas becomes the 28th state