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In 1810, [[Mexico]] recieved received its independence from [[Spain]]. In 1824, with the Mexican government wishing to settle the mostly-empty northern region, [[Moses Austin]] was invited to settle a colony of [[United States|Americans]] in east Texas. The only conditions were that the Americans convert to [[Catholicism]], renounce their American citizenship, become "Mexicanized," and either free or leave behind their [[slavery|slaves]]. Most of these requests were ignored, and not easily enforceable. After the death of Austin, his son [[Sam Austin]] became the de-facto leader of the Texans. The Tejanos (American residents of Texas) wished for increased trade with the [[United States]], more self-rule, and slavery. When met with the "[[Napoleon]] of the West," the new Mexican President-General [[Santa Anna]], by 1835, increased tensions between the central government in [[Mexico City]] and the distant region of Texas were at the brink of war.

Texas declared its independence from Mexico, and Santa Anna quickly raised a 6000-strong army to put down the insurrection, despite the approaching winter. Santa Anna lost hundreds of troops in the desert winter while on the march, but arrived in Texas earlier than expected. [[Sam Houston]], a former governor of [[Tennessee]], had been gathering volunteers to face Santa Anna. With Houston's forces still in disarray, Santa Anna laid seige siege to the [[San Antonio]] fortress, the [[Alamo]]. Actually an old Spanish mission, it had been hastily barricaded into an impromptu fort. 187 Texans famously [[Alamo|held out for thirteen days]] despite knowing they would not be able to live through the 6,000-man assultassault. All 187 Texans were killed, including their commander [[William Travis]], and other notable persons such as [[David Crockett]] and [[Jim Bowie]]. The Mexican army suffered up to 1000 casualties.

At the [[Battle of Goliad]], a force of 300 Texans was surrounded by the Mexican army. After three costly charges, the Mexicans called in cannons and reinforcements, and surrounded the Texans in the night. The Texans surrendured surrendered the following day. At the [[Goliad Massacre]], General Santa Anna ordered the execution of all prisoners. Despite the deaths of up to 400 Texans in these two battles, these two occurances occurrences were vital to the Texas Revolution. These two strategically unimportant locations delayed the Mexican advance for several weeks, allowing Houston to gather much-need support in eastern Texas. Also, the martyrdom of those who willingly gave their lives at the Alamo, as well as the butchery at Goliad, galvanized the Texan cause.