The beginningIn 1811 Mexico got independence from Spain, 13 years later a constitution was written making Mexico a republic.
Because the large space wasn't particularly populated, the country harbored Empresarios, agents who received large land grants in return bringing themselves and their family to the territory. The empresarios in return had to belong to the Cathlic church, be a legal Mexican citizen and obey the laws of the country. By the year 1834 more than 20,000 Americans lived in the territory as empresarios and outnumbered the Tejanos, who feared reownership.
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The red area on the map shows where the Mexican territory was at the beginning of the 1830's.
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The first battle occurred in Gonzales in October of 1835, when the Texans who came together defeated a Mexican cavalry.
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The Alamo
The Alamo originally began in the start of the 1800's as an old Spanish military mission but by December of 1835 the idea had changed to the Texans independence rather than the previous mission. The Alamo was started by volunteer soldiers with the same idea, freedom and a new republic. On February 23 1836 the war on the 3 acre fort began. This war was lead by William Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett with approximately 189 men. The battle lasted 13 days but came to an end when the fort was completely surrounded by the Mexican soldiers, there were only two Texan survivors and approximately 600 Mexican soldiers.
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"Remember the Alamo" |
IndependenceOn March 2 1836 Texas declared independence and a constitution was written making Texas its own republic. The nickname the Lone star republic was given in the early years.
On March 27 1838 a battle at the town of Goliad took place, this battle is a;so known as "The Goliad Massicre" this battle left approximently 400 Texans dead along with Santa Anna, a leader of the Mexican troops. Sshortly after this defeat for the Texans the Texan commander, Sam Houston led an attack on San Antonio and The Battle of San Jacinto.
How did the Mexican American war transform the nation?The war added on to our size of the country and created foreign affairs with the south.
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The treatyA year after the final war the U.S. and Mexico sign a treaty for peace, in this treaty mexico agrees to give up California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in exchange for 15 million dollars.
This is a picture of the modern day territory and border of the United States and Mexico after the treaty and exchange of land.
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