Texan Independence

1. TEXAN
INDEPENDENCE AND
WAR WITH MEXICO
TIMELINE ACTIVITY: VISUAL AID

2. 1821
 Mexico wins its
independence from
Spain and
encourages American
settlements
 Americans rush to
buy inexpensive land
in Texas
 Stephen F. Austin
establishes a colony

3. 1833
 Cultural issues
between the
Americans and
Mexican government
created tension
 In 1833, Austin
petitioned to the
Mexican President
Santa Anna for
greater self-

4. February 23, 1836
 Texas troops are
moved into the Alamo
to prevent Santa
Ana’s movement
north
 February 23, 1826:
Santa and his troops
attacked the rebels
held up in the Alamo

5. March 2, 1836
 As the battle for the Alamo raged, Texans
declared their independence and quickly
ratified a constitution based on that of the U.S.
Constitution

6. March 6, 1836
 The 13-day siege
ended after
Mexican troops
scaled the Alamo’s
walls and killed all
187 U.S. defenders
 Hundreds of
Mexicans died as
well

7. April 17, 1836
 Sam Houston and 900 soldiers surprised a
group of Mexicans near the San Jacinto River
 The Texans killed 630 of Santa Ana’s soldiers
in 18 minutes and captured Santa Ana himself
 They only set him free after he signed the
Treaty of Velasco, which granted
independence to Texas

9. September 1836
 Sam Houston is
elected as the
President of the New
Republic of Texas

10. December 29, 1845
 Texas is annexed and joins the union

12. June 1846
 War against Mexico
begins in 1845
 In 1846, American
settlers seize the
town of Sonoma,
hoist a grizzly bear
flag and proclaim
the nation of the
Republic of
California

13. February 2, 1848
 After about a year of fighting and Americans
winning one victory after another, the U.S. and
Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo
 This helped create the current borders of the
United States

15. 1853
 President Franklin Pearce authorized James
Gadsden to pay Mexico $10 million for another
piece of territory
 The Gadsden Purchase established the
current borders of the contiguous 48 states