TEXAN INDEPENDENCE AND WAR WITH MEXICOTIMELINE ACTIVITY: VISUAL AID

1821 Mexico wins its

independence from Spain and encourages American settlements

Americans rush to buy inexpensive land in Texas

Stephen F. Austin establishes a colony

1833 Cultural issues

between the Americans and Mexican government created tension

In 1833, Austin petitioned to the Mexican President Santa Anna for greater self-government

February 23, 1836 Texas troops are

moved into the Alamo to prevent Santa Ana’s movement north

February 23, 1826: Santa and his troops attacked the rebels held up in the Alamo

March 2, 1836 As the battle for the Alamo raged,

Texans declared their independence and quickly ratified a constitution based on that of the U.S. Constitution

March 6, 1836 The 13-day siege

ended after Mexican troops scaled the Alamo’s walls and killed all 187 U.S. defenders

Hundreds of Mexicans died as well

April 17, 1836 Sam Houston and 900 soldiers surprised

a group of Mexicans near the San Jacinto River

The Texans killed 630 of Santa Ana’s soldiers in 18 minutes and captured Santa Ana himself

They only set him free after he signed the Treaty of Velasco, which granted independence to Texas

September 1836

Sam Houston is elected as the President of the New Republic of Texas

December 29, 1845 Texas is annexed and joins the union

June 1846 War against

Mexico begins in 1845

In 1846, American settlers seize the town of Sonoma, hoist a grizzly bear flag and proclaim the nation of the Republic of California

February 2, 1848 After about a year of fighting and

Americans winning one victory after another, the U.S. and Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

This helped create the current borders of the United States

1853 President Franklin Pearce authorized

James Gadsden to pay Mexico $10 million for another piece of territory

The Gadsden Purchase established the current borders of the contiguous 48 states