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Tensions rise between Anglo-texan and Mexican governments and fighting started in October of 1835.
Texian volunteers attacked a small Mexican Army post near Gonzales. They used a cannon that was given to them to protect against Indian attacks.
The small band of Texan volunteers continued on to take the town of Goliad and moved on towards San Antonio through the rest of October 1835 -
Texan forces attacked and gained control of the town of San Antonio. The commander of the Mexican Army authorized the cease fire. The terms of the cease fire allowed the Mexican soldiers time to rest and recover before leaving the city.
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Roughly 180 Texan volunteers, led by Davy Crockett and James Bowie, fight to the death for the Alamo against the much larger force lead by General Santa Anna. Santa Anna ordered no quarter to be given to the rebells within the wells of the Alamo.
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The Texan General Council met to vote on session from Mexico on March 1. The council members drafted a declaration of independence, and voted it In on March 2nd.
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For the remainder of March 1836, Sam Houston lead his forces away from Santa Anna. Knowing he was out numbered and under equipped, Houston was waiting for the right opportunity to attack Santa Anna's force. In a sense, Houston was a brilliant tactician, and knew that at some point he would have the opportunity to avenge the men and the Alamo.
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The Battle of San Jacinto was the final battle for Texas Independence. This was the Mistake that Houston was waiting for. Santa Anna was caught off guard and the Texas forces were able to surprise the Mexican Army.
After the dust settled, Santa Anna himself was captures alive and was held as prisoner under Sam Houston's orders. -
The Treaty of Velasco officially ended the war between Texas and Mexico. It also set up the boundaries of Texas. The treaty was signed by Texas' interim president David G. Burnet and Santa Anna, there was also a back door deal made that Santa Anna would use is influence in Mexico to create recognition of the public treaty.
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Sam Houston was elected president of Texas and served his first term from 1836-1838.
He continued to seek recognition of Texas as an independent nation by America, Britain, and France -
Prior to his leaving office, US President Andrew Jackson formerly recognized Texas and an Independent country. This provided further steps to future Annexation into the United States as Sam Houston wanted in order to save Texas from failing.
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Mirabeau B. Lamar took office in December 1838. He would hold office through 1841.
Lamar was much more liberal with how he dealt with the Indian populations inside of Texas. he sent troops on multiple occasions to hunt down and move Indian tribes as well as to occupy their lands. -
In January of 1839, President Lamar moved the Texas capital to present day Austin from Houston Texas.
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Sam Houston won his second term as president in the Sept. 1841 elections.
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In response to an expedition that was started by President Lamar, before Houston's second election was won, The Mexican military attacked San Antonio and captured 100 prisoners and relocated them back to Mexico.
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Due to the attack on San Antonio, President Houston orders a special session of congress. At this session, congress passed a bill declaring war on Mexico and a authorized President Houston to draft 1/3 of the adult male population into the Texas Army. Houston delayed and vetoed this bill of war, knowing that Texas did not have what it took to go to war with Mexico again.
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Mexican Army invaded and captured San Antonio again, this time remaining in the city.
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In response to Mexico's attack and taking of San Antonio for the second time in a year, Texan volunteers and rangers lead by John C. Hays battled Mexican forces east of the city, they won the battle and the Mexican forces retreated back into San Antonio
After this battle, Houston order 3 companies of Texan soldiers to pursue the Mexican Army but only to cross the Rio Grande if there was a prospect of success.
Battles with Mexico continued on and off through June 15, 1843 -
During Houston's second term, he sought annexation by the United States, he knew it was the best chance Texas had to succeed. In June of 1844, the US voted agains annexing Texas primarily on the account of slavery. This did not discourage Houston, though he only had a short time left to secure annexation before his second term ended in December of 1844.
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US president-elect James Polk drove the US to complete the annexation of Texas. Texan government met on October 13 of 1845 to vote to approve annexation. The Texans voted for annexation and started to write a state constitution that would protect the keeping of slaves.
Annexation was completed on at the turn of the new year 1846.
