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In 1821 Moses Austin received the grant from the Spanish government through the Empresario System. This gave Austin the right as a land agent to bring settlers to Texas. The settlers had to Unfortunately Moses died before he could fulfill the grant, so his son Stephan Austin brought 300 family of settlers to Texas in his place in 1923. This brought significant cultural and political changes to the region. -
Mexico encouraged Anglo Americans to come and settle in Texas. They wanted to defend the region from the Native Americans and European powers. They also wanted to improve commerce and and ranching in the region. Settlers were required to be of good moral character/ practice Christianity and make loyalty oaths to Mexico. They would also adhere to Mexico and state laws. -
This severe restriction of immigration to Texas created substantial grievances for the American colonists. It prohibited slavery and suspended the existing Empresario contracts in Texas. This lead to unrest and conflict between the settlers and Mexican governing bodies. -
Francisco de Castaneda was ordered to retrieve a cannon from the settlement of Gonzales after the American colonist refused to surrender it to the Mexican military. When he arrived he attempted to avoid conflict with the colonist but was attacked by the colonists and forced to retreat. This is a significant moment in Texas history since it was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It started the armed conflict between Texas Settlers and Mexican forces. -
A convention was held at Washington-on-the-Bravos on March 1 1836. George Childress drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence. The committee declared a free and independent Republic of Texas and adopted the Declaration of Independence on March 2nd, 1836 -
The Battle of the Alamo Lasted February 23 to March 6,1836. For 13 days, a small force of Texas defenders fought against the much larger Mexican army. The Texans defeat at the Alamo became a powerful symbol of resistance and ultimately fueled the Texan army to fight. The defenders of the Alamo's sacrifice is highlighted in the famous rallying cry "Remember the Alamo". -
The Battle of San Jacinto between the Texans and the Mexican army of Santa Anna was a quick and decisive victory for the Republic of Texas. They captured of Santa Anna and he was force to agree to the terms that solidified Texas's Independence form Mexico. -
President Polk signs the "Joint Resolution for the Admission of the State of Texas into the Union" on December 29,1845. This annexation would cause a boarder dispute with Mexico and would lead to the Mexican-American War. It would also cause a rise in the debate of slavery in the United States since Texas was a slavery based state. -
The United States Army invaded Mexico from April 25,1846 to February 2,1848. This was a war about the annexation of Texas into the United States, a fight over boarders, and a fight against the American expansionism in Mexican territories. The American victory in this war resulted in a significant amount of territory gained by The United States. -
Since Texas was a slavery state it joined the Confederacy on March 2,186. Joining the Confederacy helped Texas protect its way of life and the rights of Texans from federal overreach.