-
Louisiana Purchase
The U.S. acquired the Louisiana Territory from France, which included Texas in its western border regions. Although Spain still controlled Texas, the acquisition heightened U.S. interest in Texas, laying groundwork for future conflicts and expansionist ambitions. -
Mexican War of Independence
Mexico fought for and won its independence from Spain. As part of this struggle, Texas, then part of New Spain, became a region of the newly independent nation of Mexico. The political vacuum during the war encouraged U.S. settlers to migrate to Texas. -
Stephen F. Austin Establishes First Colony
After Mexico’s independence, Stephen F. Austin brought 300 families, known as "The Old Three Hundred," to settle in Texas under the Mexican government's colonization laws. This was the first large Anglo-American settlement in Texas, marking the beginning of significant U.S. immigration. -
The Mexican Constitution of 1824
Mexico adopted a federalist constitution, creating the state of Coahuila y Tejas. This allowed Texas some autonomy in governance, but tensions between federalists and centralists in Mexico would eventually spark conflicts over local control. -
Law of April 6th, 1830
Mexico passed the Law of April 6, prohibiting further immigration from the U.S. to Texas. The law also aimed to increase Mexican presence in Texas by encouraging Mexican and European immigration. This law angered Texan settlers and contributed to growing unrest. -
Battle of Gonzales
The Battle of Gonzales marked the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. Texian settlers clashed with Mexican soldiers over a small cannon, famously raising a "Come and Take It" flag. This skirmish ignited the Texas fight for independence from Mexico. -
Texas Declaration of Independence
Texas officially declared its independence from Mexico during a convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The delegates framed a constitution for the new Republic of Texas and formed a provisional government. -
Period: to
Republic of Texas
Texas existed as an independent republic for nearly a decade. During this time, it faced numerous challenges, including financial instability, conflicts with Native American tribes, and continued threats from Mexico. -
Battle of the Alamo
The Battle of the Alamo became a defining event in the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces under General Santa Anna laid siege to the Alamo, where approximately 200 Texan defenders, including notable figures like Davy Crockett, were killed. The slogan "Remember the Alamo" later became a rallying cry for the revolution. -
Battle of San Jacinto
The decisive Battle of San Jacinto, led by General Sam Houston, ended with the capture of Mexican General Santa Anna. This victory effectively secured Texas’ independence from Mexico, establishing the Republic of Texas. -
Annexation of Texas
After years of political negotiations and debate, Texas was annexed by the United States, becoming the 28th state. This action led to increased tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, eventually sparking the Mexican-American War. -
Mexican-American War
The annexation of Texas was one of the key factors leading to the Mexican-American War. The conflict resulted in Mexico ceding a vast amount of territory to the U.S., including present-day California, Arizona, and New Mexico, under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-American War. Mexico recognized Texas as part of the U.S. and ceded additional lands in the American Southwest. The Rio Grande was established as the southern border of Texas. -
Compromise of 1850
As part of a broader compromise to address sectional tensions between free and slave states, Texas agreed to give up claims to portions of New Mexico in exchange for $10 million. This helped settle Texas’ boundary issues and its debts from the Republic era. -
Texas Secession from the Union
Texas seceded from the United States and joined the Confederate States of America, aligning with other Southern states that supported slavery. This decision was driven by economic interests and the preservation of slavery, as Texas was heavily reliant on its cotton-based economy. -
Period: to
American Civil War
The civil war was fought between the Northern Union and Southern Confederate states over slavery and states’ rights. The Union, led by General Ulysses S. Grant, ultimately won after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered in 1865. The war abolished slavery, caused over 600,000 deaths, and led to the Reconstruction of the South. -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
Texas was a Confederate state throughout the Civil War. The port of Galveston was a key point of interest, and Texas itself was relatively untouched by large-scale battles compared to other Southern states. The final battle of the Civil War was fought at Palmetto Ranch near Brownsville, Texas, a full month after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender. Confederate forces won this small skirmish, but it had no impact on the overall war, which had already ended. -
Juneteenth
Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to announce the end of slavery in Texas, enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, celebrated annually, marks the day enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom. -
Period: to
Reconstruction in Texas
Reconstruction began immediately after the Civil War when the state was placed under Union military control. The period focused on rebuilding the economy, transitioning from a slave-based system, and addressing the rights of freed African Americans. Military governors enforced laws, and new policies aimed to integrate formerly enslaved people into society, leading to the establishment of schools and the Freedmen's Bureau. -
Texas Rejoins the Union
Following the Civil War, Texas underwent Reconstruction. The state was readmitted to the Union in 1866, but tensions over the rights of freedmen and resistance to Reconstruction policies delayed its full integration.