History of the Alamo
The Mission San Antonio de Valero, now known as the Alamo, was a Franciscan Mission built on the banks of the San Antonio River in 1718. The Mission became the center of the growing town of San Antonio. It housed missionaries and their Native Americans converts for 70 years, until 1793, when the Spanish authorities divided the 5 missions and distributed the land to the local residents.
Starting in the early 1800s, Spanish troops were stationed in the fort, and they named it Alamo honoring their hometown in Mexico, Alamo de Parras. They utilized it for Mexico's ultimately successful war for independence against Spain. In the 1820s, after the war, the Spanish government encouraged American immigrants to settle in Texas because of the lack of Mexicans that were willing to move to the northern outskirts of the country. The migration of US citizens continued to increase, which would spark a revolutionary movement. The movement evolved until eventually, it developed into armed conflict between Mexico and the Anglo settlers in Texas.
Starting in the early 1800s, Spanish troops were stationed in the fort, and they named it Alamo honoring their hometown in Mexico, Alamo de Parras. They utilized it for Mexico's ultimately successful war for independence against Spain. In the 1820s, after the war, the Spanish government encouraged American immigrants to settle in Texas because of the lack of Mexicans that were willing to move to the northern outskirts of the country. The migration of US citizens continued to increase, which would spark a revolutionary movement. The movement evolved until eventually, it developed into armed conflict between Mexico and the Anglo settlers in Texas.
The Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution was the military conflict between the government of Mexico, led by General Santa Anna, and Texas colonists. It resulted in the Republic of Texas being established and annexed as part of the United States. The Mexicans won their independence from Spain in 1821, and right after, many Americans immigrated to the northeastern part of the new country. For many years, they were exempt from taxes, tariffs and slave laws. In 1824, Santa Anna repealed this part of the Mexican constitution and tensions arose. Americans started opposing having to speak Spanish, giving up their slaves and having to pay taxes like the rest of the Mexican citizens. In addition to this, many people in Mexico opposed that the Americans did not attend the Roman Catholic church.
At first, small riots broke out but by 1835, armed conflict erupted. The war had started. The Texans were led by Samuel Houston. Using politics and battles like the Battle of Alamo and the Battle of Goliad to fuel the Texan morale, he gathered many volunteers and ultimately won the war. The war ended in April of 1936, with the Battle of San Jancito. Texas had declared independence from Mexico.
At first, small riots broke out but by 1835, armed conflict erupted. The war had started. The Texans were led by Samuel Houston. Using politics and battles like the Battle of Alamo and the Battle of Goliad to fuel the Texan morale, he gathered many volunteers and ultimately won the war. The war ended in April of 1936, with the Battle of San Jancito. Texas had declared independence from Mexico.