This Week's Story
click here to play audioTensions explode between Texans and the Mexican government, after Texas becomes part of the United States.
This Week’s Story relives American history and the Bible through brief inspiring stories presented on mp3 audio recordings and text for reading.
You do not own me! part three
“Curt, do you know what your son wants to become?”
“I don’t have to wonder, Maria. What T.V. program did Tyler and I watch together for years?”
“Walker, Texas Ranger. We have had Rangers in the family since the Rangers were helping to protect western settlers in Texas.”
“Right on, Maria. Settlers wanted their own land—land they could farm far from bosses and taxes--land offering freedom and opportunities.
“Settlers came with an invitation and a fair agreement from the Mexican government. Most settlers were Americans and helped maintain safety in northern Mexico. In the 1820’s so many Americans came to Texas that Mexican officials became alarmed.”
“I know what happened then, Curt. In 1830 the Mexican government declared, ‘No more American immigrants in Texas! Texas is part of Mexico! It’s not part of the United States, nor is it an independent nationl”
“Anger between settlers and Mexican officials grew, especially after General Antonio López de Santa Anna overthrew Mexico’s constitutional government He became the country’s dictator. Agreements with the settlers were not kept.
“Maria, tension exploded. At the Alamo in San Antonio, Texans were horrified with Santa Anna’s brutal attack. He marched into San Antonio with an army greatly out-numbering the Texan forces. The Texan forces withdrew behind the walls of the Alamo, an old Spanish mission.”
“It was terrible! For thirteen horrific days the Alamo was under attack. Probably fifteen Texans survived. None of them were fighters. All 189 Texas defenders on the official list were killed.”
“Maria, Texas leaders issued a declaration of independence from Mexico. A month later Texans won the Battle of San Jacinto ending the war. Texas became the independent Republic of Texas.
“Rangers continued tangling with raiding parties of Indians and Mexicans. Many Texans were farmers and hoped to join the United States. Many northern United States Congressmen feared Texas would be a state with slaves. Perhaps Texas would tip the balance and there would be more slave-holding states than states with no slavery. The struggle for annexation of Texas wavered, but in 1845 Texas became a state in the United States.”
“Mexico ceased diplomatic contact with the United States! Texans and Mexicans disagreed about their borders. Their arguments flared into the Mexican-American War. This war drew on resources of the United States, who was in gigantic disagreement about slavery and expansion of the United States.”
“Rangers entered strategic battles. They were superlatively skilled, obnoxiously independent, except to their unit leaders. Old Rough and Ready, General Zachary Taylor, was ordered by President Polk to lead American forces in the Mexican-American War. The battle at Palo Alto brought together Rangers, West-Pointers, and an array of Texan fighters. We meet them next week.”
Nathan Thomas, Todd Warren, and I, Barbara Steiner, bring today’s story to you.
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