 |
 |
|
| The Six Flags of Texas |
 |
 |
| The Kingdom of Spain: 1519-1685 and 1690-1821 Texas was first claimed by Hernando Cortez in 1519 for His Catholic Majesty, the King of Spain. The Texas coast was first mapped by Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda and the famous conquistador Francisco Coronado was the first to explore the interior. The first mission in Texas was established in 1681 and the area began to be colonized through the efforts of the conquistadors and many courageous Franciscan missionaries who built such missions as San Antonio de Valero, which later became known as The Alamo. |
| The Kingdom of France: 1685-1690 For a long time, Spain neglected her northern frontier in Texas but this changed with the arrival of a French expidition under Rene Robert Cavalier Seur de La Salle who was looking to expand Louisiana. He established a military post on the Texas coast, but it was plagued by disease, Indian attacks and the loss of their ships. A mutiny cost La Salle his life and the colony eventually perished. It did, however, motivate the Spanish to occupy and develop the region. My home county was named for La Salle. |
 |
| The Empire of Mexico (1821-1823) and later the Republic of Mexico: (1823-1836) In 1821, following a long series of disagreements with Spain, Mexico became independent in 1821 under Emperor Agustin I. His reign was soon upset by liberals, masons and the shifty Santa Anna. It was during this period of change that Austin's colony was first established in Texas. Anglo colonization increased and for a time Texas was merged with the state of Coahuila. It was not long though before cries of "independence" were heard. |
 |
| The Republic of Texas: (1836-1845) On March 2 of 1836 Texas declared independence from Mexico and it was won on April 21 with the victory at San Jacinto by men shouting, "Remember the Alamo, and remember Goliad!" Texas was an independent republic for only a little under ten years, but all Texans are proud like hell of that fact. The young nation faced constant economic crisis and continued aggression from Mexico but still established its own unique culture during this time. This period gave us the Texas Rangers and the glorious but short-lived Texas navy and marine corps. |
 |
| The United States of America: 1845-1861 & 1865- When the Republic of Texas became the 28th state of the Union, it was the only one to do so by treaty as a recognized, sovereign republic. Annexation was linked with the slave controversy and some wondered if Texas would remain intact. Ultimately, some land was lost but the real crisis was the war with Mexico which was provoked by the annexation of Texas, which Mexico still claimed as a province in rebellion, despite their earlier recognition of independence. |
 |
| The Confederate States of America: 1861-1865 When the War Between the States became inevitable, Texas became the seventh of the original founding states of the Confederacy. Texas troops won great fame in the east as the "shock troops" of Lee's army and no invasion of Texas was successful. The last battle of the war was fought on Texas soil, and was a Confederate victory. Because of this, Texas was saved from the destruction others endured and after the war and reunion, the era of the cattle kingdoms began. |
| Spain France Mexico |
| Texas United States Confederacy |
 |