Why is Sam Houston important in the history of Texas?

Answer 1

Republic of Texas Following the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, Houston joined his volunteer army at Gonzales, but was soon forced to retreat in the face of the superior forces of Mexican General (and dictator) Antonio López de Santa Anna, whose soldiers killed all those at The Alamo Mission at the conclusion of the Battle of the Alamo on March 6. Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto.

The painting "Surrender of Santa Anna" by William Huddle shows the Mexican general Santa Anna surrendering to a wounded Sam Houston.

At the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, however, Houston surprised Santa Anna and the Mexican forces during their afternoon siesta. Badly beaten, Santa Anna was forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco, granting Texas independence. Although Houston stayed on briefly for negotiations, he returned to the United States for treatment of a wound to his ankle. Houston was twice elected president of the Republic of Texas (the first time on September 5, 1836). He served from October 22, 1836, to December 10, 1838, and again from December 12, 1841 to December 9, 1844. On December 20, 1837, Houston presided over the convention of Freemasons that formed the Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas, now the Grand Lodge of Texas. He put down the Cordova Rebellion of 1838, and while he initially sought annexation by the U.S., he dropped that hope during his first term. In his second term, he strove for fiscal prudence, and worked to make peace with the Indians and to avoid war with Mexico, following the two invasions of 1842. He had to act over the Regulator-Moderator War of 1844, which caused him to send in the militia.

Answer 2

The Mexican General-in-Chief Santa Ana invaded Texas to reclaim Mexican territory taken by American settlers who had declared their independence from Mexico. He defeated the Americans at the Alamo and Goliad. He then pressed on toward East Texas and spread his forces along the San Jacinto river. Sam Houston waited at the river and then with surprise and stealth, attacked the Mexican army. He defeated the soldiers, and captured General Santa Ana. Some of the Texans wanted to hang the Mexican general, but Sam Houston was smarter. He got the American territorial governor to sign the surrender, with Santa Ana, which turned Texas over to the American settlers. The Mexican Parliament tried to nullify this document, but it was too late. Sam Houston was a smart man and great general.

Answer 3

He was important because he fought in many wars and served as many important people and was the 1st president of the Republic of Texas. He was the 1st and 3rd term president

Answer 4

because he helped defeat Santa Anna to win the Texas independence.

Answer 5

He led the Army of Texas to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Answer 6

He is the only person to have been the Governor of two US States.

Answer 7

He was a Founding Father of Texas.