Texas independence

Question 1

What country owned the land that is present day Texas during the 1700s and early 1800s?

Answer 1

Spain

Question 2

What is an empresario?

Answer 2

Individuals who were given huge tracts of land to attract more settlers to Spanish Texas.

Question 3

What American asked for permission to colonize Texas?

Answer 3

Stephen Moses Austin

Question 4

What was required for Stephen Austin to be allowed to colonize Spanish Texas?

Answer 4

1. Settlers must follow Spanish laws

2. Settlers mist become Mexican citizens and Roman Catholic

Question 5

When did Mexico declare independence from Spain?

Answer 5

1821

Question 6

Immediately after Texas declares independence from Spain, Texas is part of what country?

Answer 6

Mexico

Question 7

What caused tensions to rise in Texas around 1829?

Answer 7

1. Americans frustrated that they have to follow Mexican government, yet cannot speak Spanish
2. Mexico outlaws slavery, but Austin persuades Mexico to allow slaves
3. Tejanos ticked off because
   A. Americans believe they are superioir
   B. Americans do not accept Mexican law

Question 8

How does Mexico respond to the tensions in Texas around 1829?

Answer 8

1. Mexico closes the border, so no more immigration
2. Texans must pay taxes
3. Mexican troops sent to Texas

Question 9

What happens after Mexico closes the border with Texas and sends troops into Texas?

Answer 9

1. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna causes rebellion by jailing Stephen Austin.
2. Texans drive Mexican troops out of a mission called the Alamo.
3. Santa Anna sends army of 6,000 to Texas

Question 10

What happens at the Alamo after Santa Anna sends troops?

Answer 10

1. Sam Houston has 2 small forces of Texans to stand against Mexian army
   A. 1st force - Golliad - 500 volunteers
   B. 2nd force - at the Alamo under Colonel William Travis- 183 volunteers
2. Santa Anna lays seige to the Alamo (February 23, 1986) for 12 days
3. Santa Anna attacks on the morning of the 13th day and all but 5 Texans are dead

Question 11

Who were two famous volunteers at the Alamo?

Answer 11

Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie

Question 12

How does Texas win independence from Mexico?

Answer 12

On April 21, 1836, Santa Anna catches up to Sam Houston at the San Jacinto River.
In the middle of the night, Houston and the Texans storm the Mexican camp and capture Santa Anna.

Question 13

When does Texas become its own Country?

Answer 13

September 1836

Question 14

What is Texas called when it is its own country?

Answer 14

The Lone Star Republic

Question 15

Who is elected president of the Lone Star Republic?

Answer 15

Sam Houston

Question 16

Many Texans wanted to become part of the United States? Who and why did some Americans not like this?

Answer 16

1. Northerners were opposed to slavery

2. Southern states would outnumber Northern states and would therefore have advantage in voting in Congress