Revolution/Republic Timeline

By Fourcoogs

  • Battle of Gonzales

    The "Lexington of Texas" sparks the War for Texian Independence after a detachment of Mexican troops led by Colonel Ugartecha are sent to the town of Gonzales to confiscate a brass cannon used by the town for defense against local Indians, only to be routed by a militia using that very cannon. (Bennet, 1899)

  • Texians capture San Antonio

    The city of San Antonio de Béxar is taken by Texian forces, who capture the defending General Martin Perfecto de Cos and send him and his forces south of the Rio Grande river. Shortly after this, in anticipation of attack by Mexican President Santa Anna, the Texian forces fortify their position within a nearby mission known as the Alamo. (Flores, 1998)

  • Republic of Texas established

    The Texas Declaration of Independence is signed and David G. Burnet is elected interim president by the signing delegates after the first choice candidate, Sam Houston, declines in order to lead the Texian forces in the war. (Rather, 1910), (Richardson, 1928)

  • Fall of the Alamo

    After a brief siege by Santa Anna's army, the Alamo is and its Texian defenders killed. This, alongside the Goliad Massacre, compelled the Texas rebels to flee eastward from the Mexican army in an event known as the "Runaway Scrape". (Corner, 1897)

  • Battle of San Jacinto

    Texian forces under the command of General Samuel Houston launch an attack on the army of Santa Anna, taking them by surprise and killing or capturing the majority of the army, including Santa Anna himself. With the Mexican President captured, the Texians were able to force him to sign the Treaty of Velasco, ending the war officially. (Winters, 1902), (Raines, 1898)

  • Sam Houston elected as first President

    Victor of the final battle of the Revolution, Sam Houston, is elected as the first true President of the Republic of Texas. His term would be marked by a desire to secure Texas from further Mexican hostility and find peace with the Indian tribes, most notably the Cherokee. (Shearer, 1961)

  • U.S. recognizes Republic of Texas

    U.S. President Andrew Jackson sends Alcée La Branche to act as Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Legation, officially recognizing the independent Republic of Texas, much to the dismay of Mexico. (Office of the Historian, n.d.)

  • Mirabeau Lamar elected as second President

    Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar is elected as Texas' second President. His administration is most notable for departing from the attitudes of his predecessor, Samuel Houston, towards the native Indian tribes, to whom Lamar took a considerably more violent approach, opting to wipe out or expel rather than make peace with them. (Christian, 1921)

  • Houston Reelected as third President

    Texas elects its third president, Sam Houston, in his second non-consecutive term in the office. Houston's presidency would be noted for attempting to right the wrongs of Lamar's administration while also seeking to be annexed by the United States. (Shearer, 1961)

  • Texas Annexed by the United States

    After securing a Treaty of Annexation from U.S. President John Tyler in April of 1844, Texas is finally annexed by the United States, against threats of war by Mexico, through joint resolution of Congress and the signature of U.S. President James Polk. (Stenberg, 1934), (Office of the Historian, n.d.)