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| | Tyler was only a "one-termer", meaning he was not reelected after his first term was over. In fact, every president from Van Buren until the Civil War lasted only one term, as the nation became increasingly divided. The more divided the nation is, the more difficult it is for a president to win reelection because so many people are unhappy with him. | | Tyler was only a "one-termer", meaning he was not reelected after his first term was over. In fact, every president from Van Buren until the Civil War lasted only one term, as the nation became increasingly divided. The more divided the nation is, the more difficult it is for a president to win reelection because so many people are unhappy with him. |
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| − | ==The Alamo== | + | ==The Battle (Massacre) of the Alamo== |
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| | America continued to expand, and eventually this caused conflict with Mexico, which had become free from Spain in 1821. Texas (an area much larger than the State of Texas today) was part of Mexico's territory. | | America continued to expand, and eventually this caused conflict with Mexico, which had become free from Spain in 1821. Texas (an area much larger than the State of Texas today) was part of Mexico's territory. |
| − | | + | [[File:Dickinson survived Alamo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Susanna Dickinson was one of the few survivors of the massacre at the Alamo, with her infant child. Her husband was killed.]] |
| | Mexico began to give American citizens free land if they became Mexican citizens and encouraged their friends to do the same. As a result, thousands of settlers left the United States to become Mexican citizens. | | Mexico began to give American citizens free land if they became Mexican citizens and encouraged their friends to do the same. As a result, thousands of settlers left the United States to become Mexican citizens. |
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| | But in 1836, settlers in what is now Texas revolted against Mexico. They declared that Texas was independent from Mexico, and drafted their own constitution. | | But in 1836, settlers in what is now Texas revolted against Mexico. They declared that Texas was independent from Mexico, and drafted their own constitution. |
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| − | In the famous Battle of the Alamo, a few thousand soldiers from Mexico defeated just 165 or so Texans at the Alamo (including Davey Crockett, a famous former congressman from Tennessee), and massacred all of them. This battle became famous, as did the cry "Remember the Alamo!" | + | In the famous Battle of the Alamo, a few thousand soldiers from Mexico defeated just 165 or so Texans at the Alamo (including Davey Crockett, a former congressman from Tennessee), and massacred all of the men. This battle became famous, as did the cry "Remember the Alamo!" to inspire fighting back against Mexico. The remains of the Alamo mission where the massacre of Texans by Mexicans can be visited today in San Antonio. |
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| | Shortly thereafter, Texas wrote a formal declaration of independence. Eager to gain land and fame, many Americans moved to Texas and helped defeat the Mexicans. Texas became the independent "Lone Star Republic." | | Shortly thereafter, Texas wrote a formal declaration of independence. Eager to gain land and fame, many Americans moved to Texas and helped defeat the Mexicans. Texas became the independent "Lone Star Republic." |