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Period: to
Mexican National Era
Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain set the stage for the Texas Revolution. -
European Wars
European wars and the French Revolution affected Spanish colonization in the Americas. Spain had less money to support the missions int eh Americas and began placing heavy taxes on the colonists. Meanwhile, the colonists had learned to rely on themselves and resented the Spanish government ruling them from so far away. -
Grito de Dolores
Father Miguel Hidalgo had great sympathy for farming families struggling in Mexico. He believed in Enlightenment ideas that challenged a king's God-given right to rule. Je also believed the government should support people's natural rights. He gave his famous Grito de Dolores speech that called for Mexican citizens to fight for independence. Spanish authorities captured and executed him, but his supporters continued to fight. -
José Gutiérrez de Lara Supports the Mexican Rebels
Hoping to gain support for the rebellion from the U.S., José Gutiérrez de Lara recruited Americans to fight and went to Washington as the first Mexican ambassador. Secretary of State James Monroe listened to his plans to establish a republican government in Texas, but did not provide any aid because the U.S. didn't want to anger Spain. De Lara returned to declare Texas independence from Spain, and proclaimed himself the president of the republic of Texas, though he was quickly defeated. -
Battle of Medina
Father Hidalgo's supporters continued fighting for independence after his death. The Mexican Army attacked Spanish soldiers 20 miles from San Antonio at the Battle of Medina. It was the deadliest battle ever fought on Texas soil. Although the revolutionaries lost the battle, it is referred to as the 1st Texas Revolution. -
Mexican Independence
The fight for independence continued until the king's loyal supporters in Mexico finally joined forces with the rebels to defeat the Spanish army The Treaty of Córdoba declared Mexico independent from Spain. As a result, Mexico had to create a new government just like the Americans did after gaining independence from Great Britain in 1776. -
Constitution of 1824
The new Mexican government gave more power to the states. Colonists in Texas assumed they would become an independent state. Instead, the Constitution of 1824 merged Tejas and Coahuila. -
State Colonization Law of 1825
The State Colonization Law of 1825 gave control over land grants to the states. However, immigrants still had to agree to the requirements for settling in Texas, which included becoming loyal Catholic citizens and no slavery. -
Law of April 6, 1830
The Decree was passed because the Mexican government believed Coahuila y Tejas was in danger of being annexed by the United States. The U.S. had already tried to annex Texas twice, and the Mier y Teran report stated Anglo Americans isolated themselves from Mexicans and ignored the slavery laws. The Law specifically prohibited immigration from the United States. It also placed customs duties on U.S. goods going into Texas, established new forts in Texas, and prohibited slavery. -
Texas Revolution
The Texas War for Independence was the military conflict between the government of Mexico and Texas colonists. It began with the Battle of Gonzales on October 2, 1835, and resulted in the establishment of the Republic of Texas after the final battle at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
