4.3. Texas Independence http://www.ck12.org
4.3 Texas Independence
Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821 and adopted a Constitution in 1824. Through the 1820s and
1830s, Americans moved into the Mexican territory promising to uphold the Mexican Constitution. In 1833 General
Santa Anna took control of the Mexican government and imposed a new constitution. A war followed, with General
Santa Anna’s supporters fighting against the supporters of the old constitution and the Texan immigrants from the
United States. In 1836, the American Texans went a step farther and declared independence from Mexico. The
Texans won the war and became an independent nation, which was soon admitted into the U.S.A. as the 28thstate.
Read the documents below and try to determine why Texans declared their independence from Mexico.
Letter –E.W. Ripley
Source: The letter below is written by an American to the Mexican government in 1823, asking for permission to
settle in Mexico.
Dear Sir,
A number of men of good character wish to move onto Mexican territory, south of the Colorado. Their object is to
form a farming colony. This piece of land is now inhabited by Indians and such a colony would check their attacks.
These men promise to learn your language and follow your laws. They will defend your territory. These Americans
would move immediately with their families if they can obtain a grant to settle the land. I think they would be of
great service to yourself individually and to the nation of Mexico. I have the honor to be
Your most obedient servant,
E.W.Ripley
New Orleans, August 1823
Questions:
1.Sourcing:Who wrote this document? Were they Mexican or American? When did they write it?
2.Close Reading:Does this document present a positive or negative view of the American settlers in Texas?
Provide a quote to support your claim.
3.Sourcing:Do you trust the perspective of this document? Why or not?Letter –Rafael Manchola
Source: The letter below was written by Rafael Antonio Manchola, a Tejano (Mexican living in Texas). He wrote
this letter about the Anglo-Americans in 1826 to a military commander.
We cannot trust the Anglo-American colonists because they are continually demonstrating that they refuse to follow
our laws, unless it is convenient for them. We will have many problems if we do not stop their disrespectful behavior
by stationing soldiers and a Mexican judge in each settlement. They have been using their own colonists as judges