Texas Tides -- Tides in Early Texas History

1821 marks the official beginning of Anglo colonization of Mexican Texas. Moses Austin was granted the first empresario contract to bring 300 settlers to Spanish Texas, less than a year before Mexico won its battle for independence. Moses Austin's son, Stephen F. Austin, took over the empresario grant after his father's death. Stephen F. Austin helped many more settlers make their home in Texas and became the founder of Anglo American Texas.

The nineteenth century was a period of great change. Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836 and became the Republic of Texas (1836-1846). In 1846 Texas was annexed by the United States and became the 28th state. Along with other southern states, Texas seceded from the Union and became a member of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War (1861-1865). "For nine years following the Civil War, Texas was in turmoil, as its people attempted to solve political, social, and economic problems produced by the war (Reconstruction, the Handbook of Texas Online)." Texas was readmitted to the Union in 1870. The nineteenth century brought many advances in technology, agriculture and transportation to Texas, increasing its population from many diverse cultures.

1821 Moses Austin brings the Old 300 to Mexican Texas
1821 Mexico wins its independence from Spain
1826 Fredonian Rebellion
1832 Battle of Nacogdoches
1833 Santa Anna establishes a dictatorship in Mexico
1835 Siege of Béxar, first major campaign of the Texas Revolution
1835 Goliad Declaration of Independence
1835 Texas Rangers formally organized
1836 Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted at Washington on the Brazos;
The Battle of the Alamo; Texas wins its independence from Mexico;
Goliad Massacre;
The Battle of San Jacinto;
Treaties of Velasco;
Sam Houston elected President
1837 Republic of Texas officially recognized by the United States
1842 Mexican Invasions of Texas
1844 Annexation agreement reached between representatives of the U.S. and Texas;
Annexation agreement refused by the U.S. Senate;
James K. Polk elected President of the United States
1845 President Tyler pushes for the annexation of Texas;
Joint resolution passes in both houses of the U.S. Congress supporting the annexation of Texas;
Texas Congress votes to support annexation;
President Polk signs law that makes Texas the 28th state of the U.S.
1846 Anson Jones steps down as last President of the Republic of Texas;
James P. Henderson becomes first governor of the state of Texas;
Beginning of Mexican War, Battle of Palo Alto
1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends Mexican War
1850 First Railroad begins operation in Texas
1850 Texas Compromise of 1850 signed
1861 The Secession Convention approves an ordinance removing Texas from the Union;
Texas is accepted as a state by the provisional government of the Confederate States of America;
Sam Houston resigns as governor in protest against secession;
The Beginning of the Civil War
1865 The End of the Civil War;
The Battle of Palmito Ranch;
Slavery is abolished;
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands (the Freedmen's Bureau) begins operating in Texas
1869 Texas approves a new State Constitution
1876 The present State Constitution is adopted

The Portal to Texas History
Brazos Bend State Park
The Republic of Texas, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Early Statehood, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
The Texas Constitution of 1836, Texas State Library and Archives Commission
History of Texas Public Lands, Texas General Land Office
Texas History Timeline
Civil War Currency Specimens
Texas' Anglo-Americans for 4th graders