In 1821 Mexico broke away from Spain and gained their independence. Mexico then asked for new settlers. The place for the settlers was called Texas. It was not very populated. Mexico wanted good settlers. They wanted peaceful settlers who would stay awhile. Texas was between Mexico’s people and the Comanche Indians. The Comanches caused trouble. Good settlers would provide protection for Mexico.
Mexico promised to give free land to Americans if they would go to Texas. They would give them large sections of land. New settlers could have the land if they promised two things. First, the settlers needed to become citizens and be loyal to their new country. And second, they would need to become Catholic. Thousands of people went. Many of those who went were from the South.
One of those who went and settled was Stephen Austin. He took 300 American families with him and they settled on land that was given to Austin's father. This seemed like a good thing for Mexico. It seemed like a good thing for the Austin family and those who went with them.
Americans wanted to go to Texas for the land, but they still wanted to be American. They did not really want to become Mexican. They still liked their own beliefs, and they also still wanted to be part of the United States. President Andrew Jackson even offered to buy Texas. Mexico would not sell it. Tensions grew between the settlers and Mexico. In 1833 Stephen Austin went to Mexico City to smooth things out. Santa Anna was the leader. He threw Austin into jail. Santa Anna did not want to work something out. Stephen Austin was in jail for 18 months.
At this time, the Texas Territory grew quickly in population. In 1825 there were 3,500 settlers. Nine years later there were 37,800 settlers. Mexico was getting nervous about the Texas Territory. They stopped allowing more settlers to move there. American settlers wanted independence from Mexico. Many Americans wanted the United States to admit them into our country.
A powerful man named Santa Anna became Mexico's president. Santa Anna built up the army. He organized and trained them well. It was reported that he had 10,000 soldiers. He not only commanded the army but led them also. He called his troops the 'Army of Operation.'
In 1835 things were getting worse. Santa Anna took his troops to the Texas Territory to get control of it. They went to war in Goliad and San Antonio. Santa Anna was brutal. He defeated the Texans at Goliad.
He took hundreds of prisoners there and then killed them. In San Antonio, Santa Anna was also very harsh. For 13 days 187 Texans held out in the Alamo Mission. They fought against 5,000 of Santa Anna's troops. Santa Anna’s army won and killed all of the Texans who fought there.
Sam Houston had become the Texan commander. He fought carefully by avoiding direct battles with the Mexican army. Houston had fewer than 1,000 soldiers. His soldiers were a mixture of many things. They were not so loyal to him. A new Texas government was just forming and it lacked organization, money, and support for their army. Texans were in a tough spot. There seemed to be little chance against Mexico.
At the battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836), the Texans had an important win. Houston and his troops made a surprise attack. They cried out, "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Santa Anna and his elite guard were not ready. The Mexicans lost badly. There were 630 Mexican troops killed, 208 wounded, and 730 were taken prisoner. The Americans also captured 600 muskets, many other supplies, and even $12,000 in gold. Only three Americans were killed, six died later, and 21 were injured.
Santa Anna escaped during the Battle of San Jacinto. Houston thought this meant trouble. Houston worried that Santa Anna would gather the rest of his army. If he could get to them, Santa Anna could return with his other soldiers and get revenge. That did not happen. Later that day, some of Houston's soldiers picked someone up that was dressed as a peasant. It turned out to be Santa Anna. This was a stroke of fortune. Houston worked out a cease-fire with Santa Anna. They also agreed that Texas could gain its independence.
Most Texans wanted to become part of the United States. At first, Congress would not allow it. It took Texas nine years to become a state. Congress fought back and forth about whether to admit Texas. The northern states did not want to allow another slave state. Many of the settlers in the Texas Territory were from the South. During this time Texas became the Lone Star Republic. They flew the Lone Star flag. In 1845 Texas was admitted as a state. The Westward Movement or expansion had changed the Texas Territory.
Text Credits:
http://www.ushistory.org/us/29a.asp
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-San-Jacinto-1836