Six different flags have flown over the Texas: France, Spain, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States. Out of all the states in the Union, Texas has one of the most storied and richest histories. During the 1820s, many Americans would travel to Texas seeking cheap land and the ability to start a new life. Texas owes a great amount credit for its existence to a person who did not even live there.
Moses Austin was born in Dureham Connecticut. Austin owned a lead mine and company in Virginia. He was not the most business savvy man, and would eventually lose his fortune and be sued by his former partner, his brother. Austin eventually settled out in Missouri where he tried his luck in lead again. His business thrived and was very successful and he began to look for a way of investing his money.
In 1821, he received special permission from the Spanish crown to establish a colony in Texas. Austin's goal was to rent the land that he purchased from Spain to Americans and act as a landlord. Austin would die before his expedition would set out but would give control of the enterprise to his son Stephen.
Stephen F. Austin had reluctantly agreed to join his father's land business. His father's contract with Spain was no longer valid, Mexico would gain independence from Spain a few months after Moses Austin died. Stephen traveled to Mexico and attempted to get the new government to honor the contract that his father had made with Spain.
Mexico was in a difficult position in 1821. The new government was facing the challenging task of ruling a nation that was larger then the present day United States. Many Mexican officials were concerned that Texas would be lost to the British, Comanche Indians, or even taken over by their American neighbors. In an attempt to populate the area, they began to offer land at a cheap price to anyone who would move there. These new residents would not have to pay taxes for a few years as an added bonus.
The Mexican government agreed to let Austin lead some Americans into Texas but they must agree to follow several stipulations. The three important ones were: 1.) Residents of Texas must become Mexican citizens and pay taxes to Mexico, 2.) They must follow all Mexican laws and 3.) Residents must convert to Catholicism. Austin and his emigrants agreed to these rules, and by 1825, 300 Americans moved into Texas.
Over time thousands of Americans, many from the South would travel to Texas. For many Mexicans this was an un-welcomed sight. Americans ignored Mexican laws, including the ban on slavery and refused to assimilate. The Mexican government became concerned that these Americans would begin to dominate Texas. Mexico passed a law making it illegal for anyone from the U.S. to emigrate to Texas.
Mexico became under the control of General Atonio de Padua Maria Severino Lopez de Santa Anna y Perez de Lebron. (or Santa Anna if you do not have the time for all that) Santa Anna began to crack down on Texas and enforce Mexican laws that had been neglected for a period of time. When Mexican officials attempted to collect taxes from residents of Texas, many Texans felt that their rights were being trampled on.
Talks of breaking away from Mexico and joining the United States circulated around Texas. The U.S. did not want to annex Texas out of fear of fighting a war with Mexico. If the Texans wanted to break away from Mexico it would have to be done on their own.
After a brief skirmish with Mexican forces at the town of Gonzales, it became clear to many that peace with Mexico could not be achieved. Many saw themselves fighting a war for independence, similar to the conflict between the 13 colonies and Great Britain. Constitution was written that included the right of Texans to own slaves
The leaders of the colony met and declared that Sam Houston, the former Senator from Tennessee would be the Commander-in-Chief of the small Texan army. Houston was once a rising political star but due to political differences with Andrew Jackson, saw his prospects fade very quickly. Like other Texans, Houston hoped to build a new life for himself. Right away Houston faced the daunting task of leading a group of volunteers against a professional and highly trained military.
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