EXPANSION and CONFLICT in MEXICO After Independence The War of Independence cost Mexico a great deal. After gaining independence in 1821, the country was left in a poor state. Agricultural, mining and industrial production had fallen during the war, and over half a million Mexicans had died. During the next 30 years, Mexico had 50 governments, almost all the result of military coups, and eleven of them presided over by General Santa Anna Tejanos The Spanish government wanted the nation to expand and tried to attract Spanish setters to Texas, but very few came. In 1821, only about 4,000 Tejanos lived in Texas. Tejanos are people of Spanish heritage who consider Texas their home. A Texan Colony An American, Moses Austin was given permission by the Spanish government to start a colony in Texas. All the Americans had to do was follow Spanish laws. Moses died in 1821, so his son Stephen tried to start the colony. The Mexican government told Stephen Austin his settlers would have to become Mexican citizens and members of the Roman Catholic Church, and learn Spanish. Between 1821 and 1827, Austin attracted 297 families to his new settlement. The success of Austin’s colony caused more settlers to move to Texas from the United States. By 1830, the population had swelled to about 30,000, with Americans outnumbering the Tejanos six to one. Rising Tensions in Texas In 1829, the Mexican government outlawed slavery. The settlers wanted to keep their slaves so they could grow cotton. The Americans also didn’t want to learn Spanish or follow Mexican laws. Very few settlers had converted to Catholicism. The people in Mexico felt that the Texans were disrespectful to them. In 1829, the Mexican government closed the state to further American immigration. The Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, sent more Mexican troops to Texas. Texans began talk of breaking away from Mexico. When Stephen Austin was jailed, the Texans revolted. Santa Anna led 6,000 troops to Texas to put down the revolt. The Alamo The first battle between the Texans and Mexicans took place at an old mission that was used as a fort. It was called the Alamo. There were only 183 Texans guarding the Alamo. The Mexican army had 1,800 men. The Texans held the Alamo for twelve days. On the thirteenth day, Santa Anna ordered his men to storm the fortress. When it was over, all but five Texans were dead. The men not killed in the battle were executed by Santa Anna. Texans were shocked by the slaughter at the Alamo and vowed to fight for their freedom. People in Mexico felt that Santa Anna tarnished Mexico’s reputation Battle at San Jacinto Texan general Sam Houston gathered more troops, 800 in all. They met Santa Anna at San Jacinto. Their battle cry was, “ Remember the Alamo! ” It was over in 18 minutes. More than half the Mexican army was killed. Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its freedom. However, the Mexican government didn’t agree to the treaties, stating that Santa Anna did not have the right to sign them. Lone Star Republic In 1836, Texas declared itself The Lone Star Republic, an independent country. Sam Houston was elected president. Some Americans wanted Texas to be part of the United States. Some people were afraid of Texas becoming a slave state, others were afraid there would be a war with Mexico. In 1845, Texas joined the United States as the 28th state. Mexico didn't like that the United States took over Texas. There also was a disagreement over the border of Texas. President James K. Polk sent troops to Texas to protect the border. Soon, Mexican and US troops were shooting at each other. On July 7, 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico. The Americans won major battles and captured Mexico City in August of 1847. Mexico signed a peace treaty with the United States. In the treaty, Mexico agreed to the border of Texas at the Rio Grande. They also agreed to sell a large area of land to the United States for $15 million. Today this land makes up the states of California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Portions of Wyoming, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Colorado were also included. In 1861, Benito Juarez became Mexico’s president. He took away church property, held trials of civilians in military courts, and declared church marriages void. The people became angry and civil war broke out. Civil War Mexico needed money so Juarez decided not to pay what they owed to other countries. The French emperor, Napolean III, had the French army invade Mexico and made it a part of his empire. He put in a German prince, Maximillian, as emperor of Mexico. Maximilian wanted to aid the Confederacy (The South) in the American Civil War. However, Mexicans fought bravely. On May 5th, 1862, 4,500 Mexican soldiers defeated a French army of 6,500 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City. This victory showed the courage and strength of the Mexican troops. Maximilian gave up his plans to aid the Confederacy. The French were eventually driven out of Mexico and Maximilian was executed. Cinco de Mayo became a big holiday for Mexicans.