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Texans rebelled against the government of Mexico in an attempt to declare Texas as an independent republic. The small Texian militia consisting of several hundred took on the Mexican Army led by Santa Anna. (https://dp.la/primary-source-sets/texas-revolution)
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Sam Houston was the first elected president of the Republic of Texas on October 22, 1836. He stressed goals of making peace with the American Indians and being cautious of attacks from Mexico. Houston dealt with unrest from armies as well as economic depression as the new nation did not have the means to make money. Houston tried to create a treaty for the American Indians but it did not get ratified. (http://www.brookelandisd.net/page/open/3466/0/Chapter%2012%20Section%202%20Reading.pdf)
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The Battle of the Alamo started on March 6th and lasted for 13 days as 200 defenders led by James Bowie and William Travis including Davy Crockett held out against the Mexican force of thousands led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. While the Mexican Army eventually overran the fort, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of the resistance. "Remember the Alamo" became a famous war cry. (https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/alamo) -
The Convention of 1836 began meeting March 1, at Washington-on-the-Brazos. At this convention, the Texas Declaration of Independence was written where a constitution, an interim government was proposed and Sam Houston was named commander in chief. The meeting was ended on March 17, as Santa Anna's army was invading them. (https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/alamo/election-1.html) -
Sam Houston led a force of about 800 men and defeated Santa Anna's Mexican force of about 1500 men. "Remember the Alamo" was the war cry of the Texans as their success ensured Texas' independence from Mexico as Santa Anna signed a peace treaty in Velasco, Texas, which recognized Texas' independence for his freedom. (https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/battle-of-san-jacinto) -
Lamar was the second elected president of the Republic of Texas. He opposed Houstons view of making peace with the American Indians and instead was aggressive towards them, expelling them and dispatching raids. War costs and relocating the capitol to Austin tripled the national debt. Lamar was against US annexation but rather pursued France, Holland, and Britain.
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In the summer of 1840, the Comanches went down the Guadalupe valley, killing settlers, plundering, burning, and stealing from settlements. The Texans organized a volunteer army under General Felix Houston, Colonel Edward Burleson, and Captain Mathew Caldwell, to overtake the Indians at Plum Creek where the Texan army was successful. (https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/plum-creek-battle-of) -
After a rejected treaty of annexation, James K. Polk was elected and was in favor of annexation and the proposition was passed on February 28, 1845. In the summer of 1845, both the Texas congress and a convention of elected delegates voted for annexation. A state constitution that was drawn up by the convention was ratified in October and accepted by the U.S. Congress on December 29, 1845. (https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/annexation)