Hoping to build a buffer between the Comanche and the settled areas of Mexico, the Mexican government allowed Americans to emigrate to remote and empty Texas. The native population was soon outnumbered by the immigrants, many of whom were from the southern states, so they wanted to continue their practice of slavery even though it was illegal in Mexico. Rapid immigration and the colonists’ growing dissatisfaction with their status as Mexican citizens meant that conflict was inevitable. Image Credit: By Henry Arthur McArdle - http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/mcardle/pa..., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index... Cast of Characters: Stephen Austin-founder of the first American colony in Texas Sam Houston-commander of the Texan army, former governor of Tennessee Santa Anna-President of Mexico Jim Bowie-real estate speculator who fled the US to avoid charges of land fraud and advocate of revolt against Mexico Henry Perry-led attempts to conquer Texas in 1813 and 1816 Doctor James Long-led attempts to conquer Texas in 1819 and 1821 Jean Lafitte-smuggler, privateer and pirate William Travis-lawyer and advocate of revolt against Mexico Sources: Lone Star Nation: The Epic Story of the Battle for Texas Independence-H.W. Brands Lone Star Rising: The Revolutionary Birth of the Texas Republic-William C. Davis Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie and William Barrett Travis-William C. Davis Duel of Eagles: The Mexican and US Fight for the Alamo-Jeff Long Sam Houston and the Alamo Avengers: The Texas Victory that Changed American History-Brian Kilmeade David Crockett: The Lion of the West-Michael Wallis Santa Anna of Mexico-Will FowlerSam Houston-James L. Haley Sam Houston: The Life and Times of the Liberator of Texas-An Authentic American Hero-John Hoyt Williams Mexico, Biography of Power: A History of Modern Mexico, 1810-1996-Enrique Krauze, translated by Hank Heifetz
