During the administration of John Tyler (1790-1862; see entry in volume 2), the Republic of Texas (established in 1836) sought to become a state. Texas had been a province of Mexico after that nation won independence from Spain in 1821. Between 1821 and 1835, the population of Texas expanded greatly; most of the new settlers were Americans. Tensions rose in the 1830s as American settlers rebelled against actions by the Mexican government. The rebellion seemed to end with the fall of American rebels in the battle of the Alamo in March of 1836, but a month later the Texas army under Sam Houston (1793-1863) won a major battle at San Jacinto (east of present-day Houston ). The army rallied under the battle cry "Remember the Alamo, remember Goliad!"— references to two earlier defeats. Following the victory at San Jacinto, Americans in Texas formed an independent republic.

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