Describe the Texans’ actions—how Texas came to exist. (America - Mexico war)
Wikipedia isn't really a good website in my opinion -_-
The Texans' actions and the creation of Texas can be understood by examining the context of the Mexican-American War. Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how Texas came to exist:
1. Mexican Independence: Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821 and established a new republic.
2. Mexican Empresario System: To encourage colonization, Mexico implemented the Empresario System, which granted land to individuals who agreed to settle in Texas. Stephen F. Austin was one of the most successful empresarios, bringing many American settlers to the region.
3. Tensions arise: Over time, tensions grew between the American settlers, known as Texians, and the Mexican government, primarily due to cultural differences, slavery issues, and the centralization of power in Mexico City.
4. Texas Revolution: In 1835, the Texians revolted against the Mexican government, triggering the Texas Revolution. The Battle of Gonzales marked the beginning of the armed conflict.
5. Declaration of Independence: On March 2, 1836, Texas officially declared its independence from Mexico, forming the Republic of Texas.
6. The Alamo: The Battle of the Alamo, fought from February 23 to March 6, 1836, was a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution. Although vastly outnumbered, a small group of Texian defenders, including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, fought against Mexican forces led by General Santa Anna. The battle resulted in a Mexican victory, but it became a symbol of Texian resistance.
7. San Jacinto: The decisive battle of the Texas Revolution took place on April 21, 1836, near the San Jacinto River. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian army achieved a surprise attack on Santa Anna's troops, winning a decisive victory. Santa Anna was captured, and the Texians secured their independence.
8. Annexation and Statehood: Texas existed as an independent republic for almost a decade. In 1845, the United States annexed Texas as the 28th state, leading to increased tensions with Mexico and ultimately the Mexican-American War.
9. Mexican-American War: The Mexican-American War erupted in 1846 when the U.S. and Mexico clashed over the disputed border between Texas and Mexico. The war resulted in a decisive American victory, and the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, ended the conflict. As part of the treaty, Mexico ceded vast territories to the United States, including present-day California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming.
In summary, Texas came to exist as a result of the Texas Revolution, which led to the declaration of independence from Mexico, the establishment of the Republic of Texas, and ultimately, its annexation as a state within the United States following the Mexican-American War.
The establishment of Texas as a state in the United States is intrinsically linked to the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War. Here's a step-by-step explanation of how Texas came to exist:
1. Mexican Independence: In 1821, Mexico won its independence from Spain, becoming a sovereign nation. Texas was a part of the vast Mexican territory acquired from Spain.
2. Mier y Teran Report: In 1828, General Manuel Mier y Teran, a Mexican official, conducted a thorough inspection of the northern territories, including Texas. His report highlighted concerns about the growing Anglo-American population in Texas and the potential for a loss of control by the Mexican government.
3. Anglo-American Settlement: Following the Mier y Teran report, Mexico encouraged the settlement of Texas by Anglo-Americans. Land grants were offered to incentivize settlement and promote economic development. As a result, thousands of Americans moved to Texas.
4. Tensions and Political Struggles: Cultural differences, disputes over slavery, and clashes between the Mexican government and the new settlers led to increasing tensions in Texas. The Mexican government's attempts to assert control over Texas and enforce Mexican law were met with resistance.
5. Texas Declaration of Independence: On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, forming the Republic of Texas. This declaration led to the Texas Revolution, a conflict between Texian (Texan) settlers and the Mexican government.
6. Battle of the Alamo: The most famous event during the Texas Revolution was the Battle of the Alamo, a 13-day siege in which a small group of Texian defenders, led by figures like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, fought valiantly against a much larger Mexican army. Although the Texians ultimately lost the battle, it became a symbol of their determination and fight for independence.
7. San Jacinto and Treaty of Velasco: On April 21, 1836, Texian forces, led by General Sam Houston, won a decisive victory against the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto. Mexican General Santa Anna, who was leading the Mexican forces, was captured, and a few weeks later, he signed the Treaty of Velasco recognizing Texas as an independent nation.
8. Annexation and the Mexican-American War: Between its independence and becoming a state, Texas faced challenges in achieving recognition and establishing stable governance. Finally, on December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted to the United States as the 28th state, causing tensions with the Mexican government.
As a result, the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) broke out, primarily over a territorial dispute about the southern border of Texas. The United States emerged victorious, resulting in the Mexican Cession, where Mexico ceded massive territories, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and - importantly in this context - Texas, to the United States.
So, the actions of the Texans, along with the historical circumstances surrounding the Texas Revolution and the Mexican-American War, led to the establishment of Texas as an independent republic and later its annexation as a state within the United States.