Spain sought to strengthen its control over North America by promoting Catholicism and prohibiting American settlement in Texas. However, Americans increasingly outnumbered Mexicans in Texas in the early 1830s. In 1835, Americans ignored new Mexican laws banning slavery and further immigration. This led to the Texas War for Independence, culminating in the famous stand at the Alamo in 1836 where William Travis, Davy Crockett, James Bowie and others fought to the death against Santa Anna's forces. Texas eventually declared independence after Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, leading to Texas joining the United States as a state in 1845.

1. & the Texas War for
Independence

2. 1. Summarize Spain’s efforts to strengthen its
colonization of North America. Why would
these efforts change?
2. Name and describe the importance of the
people in the battle of the Alamo.
3. Describe the events that led to Texas
independence and statehood.

3. Moses Austin
Stephen Austin
Spain granted him
permission to
establish the
Colony of Texas,
but he is killed
before he can do
so.
His son carries out
his father’s dream.

4.  1821 – Spain promotes American settlement.
 1830 – Americans outnumber Mexicans 2 to 1
- American settlement prohibited.
 Slavery outlawed.
 1835 – Americans ignore the laws
 Outnumber Mexicans 6 to 1

5.  Dictator of Mexico.
 Outlawed territorial
self-government.
◦ Texans rebel.
As dictator, I
can now abolish
the Mexican
Constitution.

6. To crush the rebellion, Santa Anna takes his Mexican army to an
old Spanish mission, the Alamo.

8.  Volunteer, who
prepared the Alamo’s
defenses.
 Confined to a cot, with
tuberculosis, during
the battle.

10. There were a total of 21 cannons defending the Alamo. This
included a 2 ton cannon which could fire an 18 pound
round several thousand feet.

11. "It could be observed that a single cannon volley did
away with half the company..."
José Enrique de la Peña

12.  Former member of the
Tennessee legislature.
 Frontiersman
 His legendary status
had an impact on his
decision to fight.

14.  Commanded the Forces of
the Republic of Texas at
the Alamo.
 Pleaded for help.

15. To the People of Texas and All
Americans in the World Fellow Citizens &
Compatriots
I am besieged, by a thousand or more
of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have
sustained a continual Bombardment and
cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a
man. The enemy has demanded a
surrender at discretion, otherwise, the
garrison are to be put to the sword, if
the fort is taken. I have answered the
demand with a cannon shot, & our flag
still waves proudly from the walls. I shall
never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on
you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism,
& everything dear to the American
character, to come to our aid, with all
dispatch. The enemy is receiving
reinforcements daily & will no doubt
increase to three or four thousand in
four or five days. If this call is neglected,
I am determined to sustain myself as
long as possible & die like a soldier who
never forgets what is due to his own
honor & that of his country. VICTORY OR
DEATH
P. S. The Lord is on our side---When the
enemy appeared in sight we had not
three bushels of corn---We have since
found in deserted houses 80 or 90
bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30
head of Beeves.
When it becomes apparent that
reinforcements will no arrive, Colonel
Travis draws a line in the sand and
asks those willing to fight to cross the
line.

16. All but one of the Alamo defenders committing themselves
to an almost certain death.

17. For 12 days, around 200 Texans, held off a force of
approximately 2,400 Mexicans

18.  Over 12 days, the Mexicans
will suffer 1,300 casualties.
 On the dawn of the 13th day,
Santa Anna orders the final
assault.
 All of the Alamo defenders
perish in the fight.

20. Northern
Wall

22. When Bowie's mother was informed of his death, she calmly
stated, "I'll wager no wounds were found in his back." There
are various accounts of his actual death.

24. Crockett, with several others, were
driven to the corner of the church there,
with their backs to the wall, they fought
with the fury of tigers. Their faces
blackened with powder, and blood trickled
from their wounds. Crocket had a frightful
gash across his forehead. Piles of dead
Mexicans, dead and dying, lay around
them.
When they could fight no longer,
Crockett and five others were taken
prisoners and carried before General Santa
Anna.
General Castrillon, who captured them,
was a brave man, and he respected the
bravery of others. He wanted to save their
lives. He said to General Santa Anna “Sir,
here are six prisoners, what shall I do with
them?”
“Did I tell you that no prisoners were to
be taken?” shouted Santa Anna in rage. “To
the death with them.”
This order had been carried out. The last
Texan had fallen and so too the Alamo.
E.G. LittleJohn, Texas Stories

25. Three weeks after the fall of the Alamo, a force of 300
Texans defended the mission, Goliad.

26.  Constitution modeled
after the U.S.
 Sam Houston becomes
the first & only President
of Texas.
Sam Houston

27. For almost a month, the rebels are on the run and
submitting to the forces of Santa Anna.

28. Confident that victory is near, Santa Anna divides his army
in half.

29.  Sam Houston & 800 Texans
shout “Remember the Alamo!”
as they rout Santa Anna.
 Texas independence is
secured!
Remember the Alamo.

31.  Annex
◦ Join
 Reason:
◦ They worry about future Mexican invasion.
 American Worries:
◦ Americans fear it will lead to a war with Mexico.
 Northerners opposed it!
◦ Congressional power now favors slave-states.
 Texas becomes the 28th state.

32. 1. Summarize Spain’s efforts to strengthen its
colonization of North America. Why would
these efforts change?
2. Name and describe the importance of the
people in the battle of the Alamo.
3. Describe the events that led to Texas
independence and statehood.

33.  Without the Alamo there could have been no
Battle of San Jacinto.
 Without the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas could not
have existed.
 Without Texas, the westward expansion of the
U.S. would have been thwarted.
 Without the West, the U.S. would have remained
an Atlantic power, and not risen to become a
world power.
 Without the U.S. as a world power, the world as
we see it today would not exist

35. Sam Houston
William Travis
Davy Crocket
James Bowie
Santa Anna