The document outlines key events in the independence of Texas from Mexico and the subsequent war between the United States and Mexico: 1) American settlers began moving to Mexican Texas in the 1820s, causing cultural tensions. 2) In 1836, after the Alamo siege and massacre, Texans declared independence and defeated Santa Ana's forces at San Jacinto. 3) Texas joined the United States in 1845, leading Mexico to declare war; the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war and established the modern U.S.-Mexico border.

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