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Mexico banned American settlers from settling in Texas.

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Mexico came under the rule of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. He gave himself power and suspended Mexico’s constitution. This made people upset.

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When the Mexican army tried to move a cannon from the town of Gonzales, Texas, rebels defended it and held up a flag that said "Come and take it." A short battle occurred, and the rebels were able to protect the cannon and drive away the Mexican army.

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On March 2, 1836, Texans openly declared their independence from Mexico. The declaration and Texas' constitution were modeled after U.S. policies. Delegates and leaders were chosen, and Sam Houston was chosen to lead the Texan army.  Meanwhile, Santa Anna was mad.

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On March 6, 1836, the Battle at the Alamo took place. Santa Anna ordered a force of thousands to crush the Texan rebels at the Alamo, a former mission. Unfortunately, even though the Mexican army suffered heavy losses, all the defenders of the Alamo were killed. Many others were also executed by Santa Anna at a later time.

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After the Battle at the Alamo, Santa Anna pursued the untrained forces of Sam Houston. The Texans fled east and reorganized at the San Jacinto River. Santa Anna was planning to attack, but he was careless in where he set up his camp. Sam Houston lead a surprise attack on Mexican troops while they were sleeping. The Texans were even able to capture Santa Anna in less than 20 minutes, and they forced him to sign a treaty that recognized Texas as independent.

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After Texas' independence, Sam Houston was seen as a hero. Houston was made the capital of Texas. Sam Houston also became president of Texas. Texas even offered land grants to help settlers move there.

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For many years, Texas was not annexed into the United States as a state as it would disrupt the balance between free states and slave states (Texas wanted to join as a slave state). Finally, in 1845, President Polk accepted Texas as the 28th state to join the Union.