The War for Texas Independence began as Mexican rule over Texas tightened in the 1830s. After the Mexican government abolished slavery and increased tariffs, Texians declared independence from Mexico in 1836. This led to several battles, including the famous stand at the Alamo where Texians were defeated by Santa Anna's Mexican army. However, Sam Houston later defeated Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, allowing Texas to gain independence as the Republic of Texas.

1. The War for Texas Independence

2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

3. Mexico
• Mexico was a colony of Spain until it revolted
in 1810 and became independent in 1821.
• A new constitution modeled off the United
States’ was adopted in 1824

4. Coahuila y Tejas
Texas did not have a sufficient number of people to apply for statehood
so it was combined with the Mexican State of Coahuila.

5. American Immigration
In 1823 the new Mexican Government allowed
Stephen Austin to settle 300 American families
in Texas.

6. There were only two requirements to come
1. They must be Roman Catholic
1. And they must be loyal to Mexico
The immigrants didn’t take either of those rules seriously

7. G.T.T.
• G.T.T. (Gone To Texas) Became a popular saying
among people who were leaving America for Texas.
• Not surprisingly many of the people interested in
coming to America were convicts or law breakers
who saw Texas as a fresh start.

8. Notable People
Davy Crockett
• Davy Crockett was well
known congressman who
served in both the state
and national legislatures
between 1821 and 1833.
• After losing he went to
Texas where he became a
patriot for Texas
independence.

9. Notable People (pt. 2)
Jim Bowie
• Jim Bowie was best known in the south for
his famous knife.
• Served an important role at the battle for
the Alamo
Sam Houston
• Sam Houston was politician and
soldier from the United States
• He later became an important figure
in Texas politics and held positions
such as president and governor.

10. Prelude to the War
• In 1830 Mexico abolished slavery which would later be
repeated in the United States
• Texans simply freed their slaves and then renamed them
indentured servants.
• Mexican officials banned any more Americans from settling in
Texas.
• Mexico increased tariffs on American goods

11. Mr. Austin Goes to Mexico City
• In 1833 Stephen Austin went to Mexico
City to apply for separate statehood
• Although the Mexican government
originally agreed with the Texan’s points
they felt that it was a trick to get Texas to
join America
• Austin was arrested for suspected treason AUSTIN
MEXICO CITY

12. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
• Santa Anna was originally elected
president of Mexico until he decided
that Mexico wasn’t ready for
democracy and declared himself
dictator and trashed the constitution of
1824
• His acts also included abolishing the
state legislatures and militias

13. The Battle of Gonzales
On September 2nd 1835 Mexican soldiers attempted to
reclaim a cannon from the citizens of Gonzales but
were defeated by the local militia.

14. Early Texas Victories
• On October 9th Texan
forces seized the
Presidio in Goliad
• Battle of Conception
• Battle of Lipantitlan
on November 4th

15. Stopping the Revolution
In late 1835 Santa Anna left Mexico City with an
army of about 6000 men to put down the
rebellious Texans

16. Independence is declared
On March 2nd 1836 Texas officially declared its
independence

17. The Alamo
On February 23rd 1836 Santa Anna reached San Antonio Where
less than 300 Texas patriots had taken shelter under command of
William Travis and Jim Bowie
• Travis and Bowie refused to
surrender despite being
greatly outnumbered
• The defenders sent out many
request for help received none
• On March 6th The Mexican
army attacked and won

18. Mexican Victories
• The Mexican army continued on its path through Texas
undoing the victories won by the Texans.
• The Battle of Refugio on March
12th
• The Battle of Coleto on March 19th
• Around 300 Texans were killed in
the massacre of Goliad on March
27th which especially upset the
rebel Texans

19. Santa Anna is Captured
• On April 21st at the battle of San Jacinto Houston’s forces
defeated the Mexican army and soldiers found Santa Anna
hiding in a field
• Santa Anna was forced to sign two treaties, which required
Mexican troops to leave Texas and affirmed Texas
independence.

20. After the Revolution
• Mexico refused to acknowledge Texas independence
• Although the United States had already twice offered to buy
Texas from Mexico before the revolution the US now avoided
Texas because of slavery issues and relations with Mexico

21. Annexation
• After about 9 years of being an independent nation Texas was
finally annexed by The US in 1845 making it the 28th state.
• Mexico and the United States came into conflict over the land
• The Mexican-American War followed the annexation