13.2 PQRST Texas Independence
Spanish Texas
Q: Was Texas occupied by the Spanish? A: Yes, the Spanish occupied the area of Texas.
-Texas was desired by many people for its forests, rich soil for growing crops and cash crops,
grassy plains for animals to graze in, and natural ports along rivers emptying in the Gulf of
Mexico.
-Texas was controlled by the Spanish people and the Pueblo Native Americans.
-Very few Spanish people lived in the Texas region compared to the amount of Native
Americans living there.
-Officials wanted more Spanish settlers to help defend the area against Native Americans.
-People weren’t attracted to Texas though so the Spanish government allowed Moses Austin to
colonize a large section of Texas but had to follow Spanish laws.
Mexican Independence Changes Texas
Q: What were the changes in Texas?
-Shortly after Stephen Austin arrived Mexico successfully gained its independence from Spain.
-Tejas was now part of Mexico.
-Change in the government.
-Austin convinced Mexico to start a new colony so that he could get land speculators.
-Austin’s success of the new colony out # the Tejanos six to one.
Rising Tensions in Texas
Q: Why did the tension rise? A: More and more American settlers moved onto Spanish and
Native American lands.
-Americans wouldn’t follow Mexican laws and thought themselves above the natives.
-No more American immigrants allowed in Texas, required Texas to pay taxes, and more troops
to enforce these new laws.
Texans Revolt Against Mexico
Q: Why do they revolt? A: Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna jailed Austin for a hidden letter
supporting rebellion.
-At first a man named Austin tried to have peace with Mexico but he was jailed and thus
starting a rebellion from anger.
-Santa Anna went to Gonzales to take cannon for defense from the Texans, but failed to.
-Santa Anna then sent 6,000 troops towards the Texans.
The Fight For The Alamo
Q: What was the fight about?
-On March 1-2, 1836, Texans met and wondered what to do about the Santa Annas troops.
-Sam Houston the only man with military service was declared in command of the Texan army.
-They decided to declare Mexico a free independent republic.
-The Texas army hardly existed.
-There were only two small forces.
-One force of 420 men and another of 183 men.
-183 men were volunteers at the Alamo led by William Travis.
- this force had a couple of famous men in it like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie.
Victory at San Jacinto
Q: Who won? A: American settlers.
-Message to Goliad to retreat but caught by Mexican Forces and executed over 300 people.
-Texans doubled the Houston army to 800 angry men.
-A short battle occurred at the San Jacinto where the Mexican Forces were overwhelmed by the
Houston army.
Lone Star Republic
Q: Was Texas the lone star republic? A: Yes.
-Flag made with a single star.
-Had its own army and navy with an elected president.
-Many Texans wanted to be a part of the United States rather than independent.
-Wasn’t allowed into the Union in fear of war with Mexico and Texas being a slave state.