Happy Texas Independence Day!
The Land & People
In 1821, when Mexico won its independence from Spain, the nation’s northern regions (which included what is now Texas) were sparsely populated. To protect its claim on this land, Mexico continued Spain’s colonization initiative by providing economic incentives to Americans if they’d settle there. Mexico hoped to increase the area’s population and see it become more developed. The plan worked, but it had one major flaw—the settlers themselves. They enjoyed a semi-autonomous life far from the capital, but this would eventually change and lead to a clash with the Mexican government.
Did You Know…
- Three different countries claimed Texas before Texas declared its independence: Spain (1519-1821), France (1685-1690), and Mexico (1821-1836).
- Spanish conquistador Francisco Coronado is believed to have buried $60 million in gold treasure somewhere in Texas.
- “Tejanos” were settlers of Spanish and Native American descent.
- Spain granted Moses Austin “empresario” contracts in “New Spain’s” northern region (Texas).
Stephen F. Austin
It was Moses Austin who dreamed of colonizing Spanish Texas with American settlers, but he died before doing so. His son, Stephen F. Austin, took on the job.
By 1829, Austin had brought 1,200 families to the Texas colony. The growing number of Americans moving to Texas now worried Mexico. So, in 1830, they began to limit U.S. immigration.
Two years later, the colonists numbered more than 11,000. Many weren’t happy with Austin’s cautious leadership. Meanwhile, the Mexican government was becoming less cooperative. Between the two, Austin had his hands full. He made frequent trips to Mexico City, arguing for the rights of the Texas colonists.
In 1833, General Antonio López de Santa Anna became Mexico’s president. He abolished the Mexican Constitution of 1824. Worse, he challenged the Texans’ autonomy by changing the Mexican government from federalism (the combination of an overall central government with regional governments) to centralism (controlled by a single authority).
Tensions between the Mexican government and the Texans rose. Austin made another trip to the capital. His frustrations with the government led him to pen a letter in October 1833. This letter led to his arrest for treason in January of 1834. He spent most of 1834 in prison, held without charges. When he finally returned to Texas in late August 1835, Texas was on the brink of war.
Did You Know…
- Mexico worried that the U.S. would try to annex Texas.
- In 1832, Texans identified with either the War Party (favoring armed conflict with Mexico and possible independence) or the Peace Party (remain part of Mexico).
- Stephen F. Austin backed General Santa Anna’s bid to become Mexico’s president.
- In 1833, Texas didn’t qualify for Mexican statehood (and a separate state government) because its population was only 30,000. The required population needed was 80,000.
The Cannon
While Stephen F. Austin had always encouraged peace, his experiences in Mexico colored his feelings for the Mexican government and the future of Texas. War, he now believed, was the only solution. He echoed others in calling for the people of Texas to hold a meeting to decide whether they agreed with Mexico’s restructuring of the government.
However, thirteen days before the meeting could take place, the Texas Revolution officially began. It started when, amid rising tensions, Mexico decided to take back the small cannon they’d left in Gonzales in 1831. Though unusable—nails had been driven into its body—the sight of it helped the town scare off Comanches, and the town refused to relinquish it.
Upon hearing this news, the Mexican military commander in Texas sent a force of one hundred mounted infantry to take it. He didn’t expect the Texans to fight for it, but they did. They’d not only modified the cannon so it could be used, but they boldly taunted the Mexican troops by flying a giant “Come and Take It” flag.
Finding himself outnumbered and outgunned, and having been told to avoid open conflict, if possible, the man leading the Mexican infantry chose to withdraw. Though really only a skirmish, this October 2, 1835, fight for the cannon, known as the Battle of Gonzales, was the first battle in the War for Texas Independence.
Did You Know…
- Immediately after the Battle of Gonzales, the First Army of Texas Volunteers was organized, led by Stephen F. Austin.
- Though the Texas Revolution was mainly instigated and fought by American settlers, some Tejanos fought with them against Mexico.
Independence Day
On March 2, 1836, a new nation took its first steps. In Washington-on-the-Brazos, 59 delegates signed and adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence, declaring independence from Mexico and creating the Republic of Texas.
Taking this path meant forming a new, strong government; writing a constitution; and, hardest of all, fighting the powerful Mexican army. Battles had already occurred during the preceding six months, but this declaration raised the stakes for all. More blood would be spilled before the fledgling republic earned its freedom.
Did You Know…
- Three Tejanos signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. They felt, as did many other Mexican locals, that Texas would be better off as an independent nation or part of the U.S.
- Only ten delegates who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence had been in Texas before 1836.
- Two-thirds of the delegates who declared Texas’ Independence weren’t yet forty years old.
- Only one of the original five copies of the Texas Declaration of Independence remains.
- Texas Independence Day is a state holiday celebrated only in Texas.
- Texas Flag Day and Sam Houston Day are also observed on March 2.