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The Battle of Gonzales
Amidst rising tensions between Mexico and Texas due to increasing pushes for Texas' independence, a skirmish breaks out at Gonzales. The settlers create the iconic "Come and Take It!" flag after refusing to surrender their cannon originally meant to defend from Indians and fight off the Mexican officers, sparking revolution as a result.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline -
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The Texas Revolution
Aggravated by Mexico's attempt to use military power to force the region of Texas to submission under the rule of Santa Anna, the president turned dictator, a revolution was born in Texas. -
Siege of San Antonio de Bexar Ends
Volunteers rallied at Gonzales and pursued the fleeing Mexican army under General Cos to San Antonio. After weeks spent in guerilla-style combat, a five-day attack on the city was led by Ben Milam, who would be the first martyr for the Texas Revolution during the battle. General Cos surrendered and withdrew Mexico's forces from Texas.
Source: https://texasindependencetrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/alamo-mission-san-antonio-de-valero -
Texas Declares Its Independence
Meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos, delegates from across Texas met and declared themselves an independent republic, drafting a constitution inspired by the United States' constitution.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline -
The Fall of the Alamo
The first strike in the campaign to strike down the rebellion led by Santa Anna, dictator of Mexico, was at San Antonio. A small group of Texan soldiers were besieged in the old mission outside the main town known as the Alamo. Santa Anna called for no quarter, killing all the Texan soldiers including William Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline -
Massacre at Goliad
A detachment of troops sent to sweep up the coast of Texas fought and defeated Colonel Fannin's Texan army at the city of Goliad. Like at the Alamo, Santa Anna ordered the execution of over 300 prisoners of war.
Source: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/american_latino_heritage/Presidio_de_la_Bahia.html -
The Battle of San Jacinto
Having continued a retreat to avoid a direct conflict with the Mexican army, General Sam Houston seized the opportunity to attack a small detachment led by Santa Anna himself, who was trying to cut off the delegates fleeing the capitol of Texas. At San Jacinto, Houston launched a surprise attack and overwhelmed the Mexican forces in approximately 18 minutes, capturing Santa Anna was captured and surrendered, ending the war.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline -
The Republic of Texas Forms
Having defeated the Mexican army, the interim government held an election to appoint new officials elected by the public. Sam Houston was elected as the first president of Texas.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline -
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The Republic of Texas
For the next ten years, Texas would operate as an independent nation, increasingly moving toward its eventual annexation to the U. S. while dealing with a still hostile Mexico -
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The First Houston Presidency
Sam Houston was elected as the first president of Texas, running due to encouragement of his friends and his fame gained from San Jacinto. His main concerns were establishing peace with Indians and Mexico, gaining recognition of Texas as a nation, and reducing the national debt.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 162 -
President Jackson Refuses to Annex Texas
President Jackson aired on the side of caution in recognizing Texas' sovereignty. Eventually, President Houston would win Jackson's favor and gain Texas' recognition, but annexation was still far off. Most of the presidents to follow would share the same sentiment, not wanting to agitate Mexico or to enflame the slavery issue by annexing Texas.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 163-165 -
General Land Office Established
In order to facilitate Texas' land policies, the General Land Office was created to perform all acts of distributing land in Texas. Unfortunately, clear land rules were not dictated and constant fraud and legal disputes resulted
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 168 -
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The Lamar Presidency
Due to the Texas constitution preventing presidents from succeeding themselves, Sam Houston stepped down at the end of his term. His political detractors won the election of 1838. Leading the opposition, President Lamar's policies were directly opposed to Houston's, aggressively fighting Mexicans and Indians, making no attempt to encourage annexation, and spending lavishly to bolster Texas' military.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 169-170 -
Austin Becomes Capital of Texas
Lamar, wanting to move the capital away from Houston to a location closer to the original Texas settlements, moved the capital to the village of Waterloo and changed its name to Austin as they began developing the city.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline -
The Battle of Neches
Taking aggressive action to remove the Cherokee Indians, President Lamar sent troops to forcefully occupy the territory and negotiate the people's removal. Negotiations failed and fighting broke out, devastating the Cherokees. His tendency to resort to military action to deal with the Indians would continue throughout his administration.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 170 -
The Santa Fe Expedition
The culmination in Lamar's increasing aggression against Mexico, Lamar launched an expedition to persuade New Mexico to break ties with Mexico and join the Republic of Texas. It failed disastrously, with the party almost failing to reach Santa Fe and being promptly arrested on arrival on October 5, 1841.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 174 -
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The Second Houston Presidency
During Lamar's presidency, Houston continuously criticized his reckless policies and actions. Winning the presidency back, Sam Houston returned his focus to curbing the national debt which Lamar had massively increased, taking steps to ensure peace with the Indians, and leaving Mexico alone rather than antagonizing it.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 175-176 -
Mexico Invades Texas
Despite Houston's efforts, Mexico engaged an attack to San Antonio. Houston chose to remain on the defensive, citing Texas' inability to sustain a war effort, and allowed the Mexican forces to withdraw before the delayed soldiers could arrive. -
The Mier Expedition
Despite order to orders to retreat, soldiers chose to pursue the Mexican troops fleeing from San Antonio across the Rio Grande. Colonel William Fisher attacked the town of Mier, where a Mexican force was stationed. He lost the battle, and his soldiers were captured, some executed. The Mier expedition continued to increase the desire for war, but Houston again avoided open conflict.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 179-181 -
Armistice with Mexico Signed
President Houston successfully brought hostilities with Mexico to an end with assistance from the British, who mediated with Mexico on behalf of the prisoners from the Miers expedition. Though an armistice was signed, no treaty was ever produced.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 181 -
First Annexation Treaty
Spurring annexation on by using Britain's good relations with Texas, President Houston influenced U. S. politicians to intensify annexation negotiations. A treaty was signed in secret between Texas and the United States, but the Senate would eventually vote against it.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 184-185 -
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The Jones Presidency
President Houston hoped to keep annexation efforts alive after his term. He endorsed Secretary of State Anson Jones, and Houston helped secure the presidency through his influence. Jones would welcome the ongoing annexation efforts carried on from President Tyler to President Polk in the U. S.
Source: Campbell, Randolph B., Gone to Texas: A History of the Lone Star State, pp. 185 -
Texas Annexed to the United States
Under President James Polk, the United States moved to annex Texas by joint act of Congress.
Source: https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/texas-history-timeline