-
Period: to
Fredonian Rebellion
The rebellion began when 36 men arrested local authorities. Two Cherokee leaders offered their support in exchange for a promise that they would be given land (Fredonian Rebellion). The rebel leaders signed a Declaration of Independence on December 21, 1826. However, assistance from Native Americans was never realized. With the militia and Mexican troops gaining on them, the rebels had abandoned the fort by January. Most of the leaders fled to Louisiana (Fredonian Rebellion). -
Texas Revolution Begins
Mexico's army had loaned the town of Gonzales a cannon to use for defense against Indians. Due to increasing tension, Colonel Ugartechea sent a detachment of soldiers to reclaim the canon. -
Texas Declares Independence
Texas's Declaration of Independence was intended to attract support from the citizen of other states in Mexico (Texas Declaration of Independence). It was put forth on November 7, 1835 and officially declared on March 6, 1836 as the Alamo was under siege. -
Period: to
Sam Houston's Presidency
Sam Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas. The only success his presidency saw was gaining recognition of Texas's independence from the United States. -
Period: to
Battle of the Alamo
Houston did not think the Alamo could be defended and ordered it destroyed. However, General William Barrett Travis disobeyed. Instead, he decided to hold out with his troops with the hope that reinforcements would arrive. On February 24, 1836, he sent a famous plea for reinforcements. On March 6, 1836, Santa Anna broke through the walls, killing all the defenders. He left only Travis's slave Joe and some women and children to spread the news of the Alamo's fate. -
Battle of San Jacinto
Sam Houston rallied his troops with the cry, "Remember the Alamo!" The battle ended with the defeat of Santa Anna. -
Santa Anna Signs Two Peace Treaties
After the Battle of San Jacinto, Santa Anna was captured. A mob wanted to execute him, but Houston saw that Santa Anna was far more valuable alive that dead. He compelled Santa Anna to sign an armistice and promise that his troops would cross the river. Upon arriving back in Mexico City, he immediately backtracked on all the promises he had made. -
Period: to
Mirabeau B. Lamar's Presidency
As the Republic of Texas's second president, Mirabeau B. Lamar, a man who hated Sam Houston bitterly, moved the Republic's capital from Houston to Austin. Lamar desired that Texas remain independent, so he pursued diplomatic recognition over annexation. He had a number of successes, notably recognition by France, Great Britain, and Holland. Unlike Houston, Lamar took an aggressive stance toward the Native Americans and drove them out. -
Period: to
Sam Houston's Second Term as President of the Republic of Texas
Unlike his first term Sam Houston's second term saw a number of notable successes. -
Texas annexed by the United States