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Mexico Achieves Independence From Spain
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/spain-accepts-mexican-independence Federal Govt. encourages TX immigration -
Adams-Onis Treaty
Establishes boundaries between Spain and US. Evelyn Turk, “Adams-Onis Treaty,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed October 10, 2020, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/adams-onis-treaty. -
Stephen F. Austin Settlements Begin in TX
(pic) A Dec. 32, 1826 petition addressed to Austin and signed by 500 Louisianans hoping to join an Austin Settlement in TX. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth216564/ -
Colonization Law of 1823
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Mexico's Constitution of 1824
Establishing a federal system -
Fredonian Rebellion
Empresario Haden Edwards attempted to dislodge old settlers near Nacogdoches by forcing them to produce contemporary legal papers to prove their right to settle. Also, he imposed himself in questionable ways in local elections. When the Mexican government revoked his empresarioship, Edwards led a brief rebellion. On Dec 21 they declared independence. This event established a precedent of Anglo-Texans defying Mexican leadership. -
1827 Coahuila y Tejas Constitution
Set the tone of eventual abolishment of slavery in Texas. -
Mexican Emancipation of Slaves
News in TX was suppressed as politicians jockeyed for leverage. -
Mexican Law Passed by Centralists to Halt US Immigration
Also adding taxes, canceling empresario contracts, and outlawing any new slaves being brought in. -
Turtle Bayou Resolutions
A response by Texans to increased taxes and political intrusion by Centralists in Mexico. -
Austin's Letter from Mexico City
Frustrated, Austin begins to doubt Mexican government's intentions toward federalism and urges leaders back home to form their own government. For this betrayal of Mexican govt. he is imprisoned for a year and detained another eight months. -
Texan's 1833 Convention
Tejanos and Texians met at San Felipe to call for: the repeal of Law of 1830; and their own separate statehood -
President Sant Ana Abolishes Mexican Constitution of 1824
Santa Ana rejects the establishment of a federal government and attempts to centralize it. -
Map of Land Grants and Indian Territories as of 1835
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Anahuac resists Mexican Taxation Again
Force soldiers to return to Mexico. War Party v. Peace Party forms among Texans. -
Committee of Safety at San Felipe
Meeting from which Stephen F. Austin et al. issued the Circular from the Committee of Safety calling all Texans to abandon hope of reconciliation with Mexico and prepare for war. -
Gonzales - First Blood
Rising discontent among Texans caused Mexico to move. Lt. Francisco Casteneda took 100 dragoons from San Antonio to the presidio at Gonzales to retrieve Mexico's cannon. The Texans refused "Come and take it." A small confrontation that killed two Mexican soldiers marked the first battle of the revolution. -
Texian Seige of San Antonio de Bexar
In response to Gonzales, Texians blockaded San Antionio, resulting in several significant conflicts: The Battle de la Concepcion, when Texians withstood an assault outnumbered 3 to 1; The Grass War, when Texians attacked a Mexican supply train; And the final taking of SA - A 5-day offensive with much hand-to-hand, house-to-house, combat culminating on 12/10 with Mexican General Cos' surrender. -
Declaration of the People of Texas
As an independent, Mexican institution, Texas declares their faithfulness to the Constitution of 1824 and vows to take up arms against Santa Ana whom they considered a violator of Mexico's established federalism. Also, Texans therein reserved the right to form their own government in view of Santa Ana's unjust overthrow. -
Provisional Govt. Issues letter to Mex. People
The Provisional Government of Texas defends itself to the Mexican people claiming they are only upholding the Constitution of 1826 against a Centralist overthrow. https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth217761/ -
Sam Houston's Call for Volunteers
As the Alamo was falling Sam Houston calls for brave Texans to unite for war. -
Lundy's, War In Texas
Abolitionist Benjamin Lundy's 1836 Treatise, naming the establishment of slavery as the primary motivator of Anglo-Texas' desire to war with Mexico. -
Cherokee Treaty of 1836
Texas Commissioners, Sam Houston, and John Forbes helped negotiate this treaty with the Cherokee (and several other bands of Indians,) which established clear borders and settling rules between the two parties. An effort also meant to secure Texas relations with a potential Mexican ally. The 1836 Convention failed to ratify. -
Texas General Land Office Created
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Texan Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos
Sets up an interim government and declares independence. Adopted a constitution and chose David Burnet as President; Lorenzo de Zavala as VP -
The Fall of Mission San Antonio De Valero - The Alamo
After a 13 day seige, General Antonio López de Santa Anna orders the attack of The Alamo and defeats a small Texian force of less than 200. Santa Ana's narrow disregard of life and subsequent burning of the Texian bodies coupled with the courage with which the Texians had defended themselves fueled passions for the cause of Independence both in Texas and the US. -
Constitution of The Republic of Texas
Note: In Spanish. View copy at: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6708/ -
Runaway Scrape
At the Alamo's fall, Texan civilians began to retreat East in fear for their lives and livlihoods. -
Provisional Government flees to Harrisburg
For fear of Mexican advance, the Provisional Government abandons Washington on the Brazos and retreats to Harrisburg. An event which deeply sobered Sam Houston and his army. -
Executions at Fort Goliad
After the fall of the Alamo, Colonel James W. Fannin and his command of 200-300 Texans abandoned Fort Goliad and attempted a hasty retreat East to escape the arriving much larger Mexican forces. They were caught and returned to the fort as prisoners. One week later Santa Ana ordered their execution. Note: Houston's famous cry "Remember the Alamo!" was immediately followed by another not so famous cry "Remember Goliad!" (pic: Presidio Nuestra Senora de Loreto de la Bahia, chapel at Fort Goliad.) -
Santa Ana Divides His Force
After receiving the "twin sisters" four days prior, Sam Houston receives news that Santa Ana has divided his army and crossed the Brazos River with approximately 1000 troops, giving up his numerical advantage and moving into a vulnerable position - the mistake that Houston was waiting for while in retreat. -
Battle of San Jacinto and Treaty of Velasco
Sam Houston defeats Santa Ana in 18 minutes which leads to the signing of the Treaty of Velasco, a peace agreement between the newly declared Republic of Texas and Mexico. View treaty at: https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth31159/ The Texian Grand March; dedicated to Gen. Houston. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiFxp4xX7o4 -
Sam Houston Elected Republic's First President
Served first term 1836-1838 -
Texas Congress Passes Act; Rio Grande as SW Boundary
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Doubts About The Republic
As Texas tries to secure official recognition among the nations, US president Jackson's anual address publicly questions Texas' ability to survive. Then the Father of Texas, Stephen Austin, dies of pnemonia - an omen? -
Republic's Capital Moves to Harrisburg (Houston)
And US recognizes Tx as an independent Republic -
Cordova Insurrection
Mexican Military commander Filisola encourages Vicente Cordova, a Tejano to collude with Cherokee Chief Bowl against Texian settlers. Tensions between Anglo's and others elevate. -
TX Money - Trying to Deal With Debt
Texas begins issuing its own paper currency. Several attempts failed to hold value. -
Mirabeau B. Lamar Elected 2nd President of Republic
Aggressive Policy toward Indians. -
The Battle of Neches
Death of Chief Bowl. -
US & TX Map Showing Railways and Canals
ca. 1836-1845. Note: Republic of TX SW Border https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth190549/m1/1/zoom/?resolution=15.451205631999999&lat=2018.7782151987321&lon=737.3414693776508 -
Council House Fight/Plum Creek
Communications break down in San Antonio leading to an in council battle in which 35 Comanchees are killed. In retaliation, they, led by Chief Buffalo Hump, instigate a bloody looting raid all the way to the coast. As they retreat, they are caught and 130 more Comanchee die near Plum Creek by modern-day Lockhart. -
Lamar's National Independence
Debt sours under Lamar. Lamar's Indian aggression and capital move add to the debt and the already struggling Republic. Lamar adds expense with a Texas navy. Still, Lamar is convinced that Texas ought to secure international status and will best survive through European relations. -
Santa Fe Expedition
Lamar sends expedition led by General Hugh McLeod to cross Mexico's border and try to establish trade routes with Santa Fe and the West. Mexico responds to the invasion by arresting them and marching them all the way to Mexico City, a trip that many did not survive. Then Mexico, having never officially accepted TS independence, in retaliation made several failed attempts to retake San Antonio. -
Juan Seguin, Revolution Hero, Leaves TX
Forced by prejudice to return to Mexico from 1842-1848 -
Houston's 2nd Term
Agenda: Back off spending and sell the TX Navy; Improve Indian relation; Cool on Mexico; pursue annexation. -
Mier Expedition/Battle
In retaliation to the Santa Fe Expedition General Vazquez invades San Antonio and takes prisoners to Mexico. Congress refuses Houston's call for a slow response and passes a bill declaring war on Mexico which Houston vetoes. Then Mexican General Woll Captures S.A. a second time, Texans counter and force a retreat to the border near Mier. Texans go on the offensive, cross the river to take Mier.. only to be captured and imprisoned. Santa Anna orders 1 of every 10 prisoners (Black Bean) executed. -
British Help Republic Achieve Armistice With Mexico
But no treaty and no Mexican acknowledgment of the Republic's independence. Still, this puts pressure on US toward annexation of Texas -
Houston Maneuvers for Annexation
Houston plays off US politicians ambitions and US distaste for British interests. Under President Tyler, John C Calhoun negotiated with Houston's Van Zandt and Henderson a treaty of annexation on April 12,1844, which US senate defeated. Sam remains calm. As Houston endorsed Ansom Jones replaced him as President of the Republic, Polk's election in the US was received by Tyler as the mandate to annex TX. US House passes annex resolution in Jan. 1845. -
Backlash Against Tejanos
Incidents of prejudiced backlash followed the war with Mexico including: Juan Nepomuceno Seguin, a San Jacinto hero who also played an important role at the Alamo and helped develop and support legislation to support Tehano's rights was forced to retreat to Mexico; Martin De Leon; Lorenzo de Zavala; Such tensions would typify the following decades. -
Texas Admission Act 1845
In October 1845 Texas approves a state constitution and annexation to the US. Then Congress accepts and President Polk signs the Texas Admission Act on December 29. Texas goes on to elect its state government at the next election cycle and The Republic turns over the reigns in a ceremony at the capitol in Austin, February 19, 1846. -
Taylor's Congress Declares War
Republic of Texas had claimed the Rio Grande as its SW border. Polk upholds and the territory between Nueces R. and Rio Grande R. becomes the dispute for which war is initiated. -
The State of Texas
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Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo
Mexico cedes northern territory.. -
U.S. Investment in TX
Forts and infrastructure investments throughout the 1850s contributed to W. Texas expansion. -
Clear Fork and Brazos Reservations
Established for Comanche and remnants from other groups. These were not successful settlements and failed by end of the decade. Many internal confrontations marred Indian relations. Texas eventually drove the Comanche out. Qhanah Parker's group was the last to leave in 1875 -
Cart War
Anglo/Mexican conflict over control of trade (and Tejano citizenship) between S.A. and coast. Mostly Anglo ambushes which came to an end when militia is sent in to guard routes. -
Juan Cortina's Tejano Revolt
400 Tejanos Joined Juan Cortina in Brownsville region to drive out Anglos. U.S. Army and TX Rangers suppressed. -
Quanah Parker
Leaving TX in 1875, Qhanah Parker was a Comanche diplomat to US into the 1890s
