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Land Offer
To encourage settlement, Spanish government offers large tracts of land to empresarios. Pictured: Moses Austin -
Period: to
The Texas Revolution
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Independence
Mexico gains independence from Spain. Pictured: Mexico Flag -
Outlawing Slavery in Mexico
Slave owners became angry when Mexico outlawed slavery. Then Moses Austin persuaded the government to let the slave owners keep their slaves. -
Growing Population
By 1830, Moses Austin had attracted many families who were looking to live in Texas with him to escape from the law, start a new life, or look for a chance to grow rich. Soon the population had swelled. -
Austin plans to rebel
Santa Anna throws Moses Austin in jail for planning to rebel. Austin's followers grow furious. -
Come and Get It
In 1835, Santa Anna and his troops tried and failed to take a cannon from Texas. Then Santa Anna became angry and sent 6,000 troops to Texas. -
Declare Independence
Texans met at a settlement to decide what to do about Santa Anna's troops. They decided to declare Texas a free republic and put Sam Houston in command of the Texas army.
Pictured: Sam Houston -
The Alamo Battle
Mexicans began to attack the Alamo and the Texans held off the Mexicans for 12 days. On the 13th day, Santa Anna ordered 1,800 soldiars to storm the fortress. The Texans soon ran out of ammunition. At the end of the day, only 7 Texans died and 1,000 Mexicans had fallen. -
After the Alamo Battle
After the battle was over, the Mexicans slaughtered all survivors of the battle. They only spared a few women and children. A total of 183 Alamo defenders died. -
Winning Independence
In late April, Sam Houston surprised Santa Anna near the San Jacinto river. In 18 minutes, the Texans had killed more than half of the Mexican army. Santa Anna had to sign a treaty giving Texas its independence. -
Joining the United States
Texas raised the official flag of the independent nation and became nicknamed 'The Lone Star Republic.' Then Texas wanted to be apart of the United States but the government didn't want to have slave states out number free states so the government voted against annexing Texas.
