NAME
DATE
CLASS
Chapter Summary
Steps Toward Independence
Lesson 1: The Texas Revolution Begins
• The arrival of General Martín de Cós with more Mexican soldiers worried Texas settlers.
As a result, the settlers started committees of correspondence to unify Texans.
• The first conflict of the Texas Revolution was the Battle of Gonzales on October 2, 1835.
The battle, which was a victory for the Texans, began when Mexican forces tried to take
away a cannon located in Gonzales.
• After Texan forces took control of Goliad, troops under Stephen F. Austin advanced
toward San Antonio and laid siege to the city.
• Delegates attending the Consultation of 1835 were divided on whether or not Texas
should declare its independence. The Consultation eventually adopted the “Declaration
of the People of Texas in General Convention Assembled.” It also formed a provisional
government and created the Army of the People under the command of Sam Houston.
Lesson 2: The Winter of 1835–1836
• On November 26, 1835, Texan troops attacked a mule train heading toward San
Antonio. This battle is known as the “Grass Fight” because the mules were carrying
grass to feed Spanish livestock.
• Benjamin Milam led a force of men to attack San Antonio. The resulting Battle of San
Antonio de Béxar lasted four days. On December 9, 1835, San Antonio fell to the Texans.
• The Army of the People included Tejano and African American fighters. After Mexico
had gained independence from Spain, Mexico passed a law that declared freed African
Americans equals to Anglo American colonists. Because of this decision, many African
Americans moved to Texas looking for a better life.
• Phillip Dimmitt proposed a plan to attack the port of Matamoros, at the mouth of the
Rio Grande. Before the expedition could begin, news arrived that forces under Santa
Anna were marching toward San Antonio.
• Disagreements arose between Governor Henry Smith and the general council. The
Texan provisional government became so divided that, during the month of February
1836, Texas was virtually without a government.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education.
1
NAME
Chapter Summary
DATE
CLASS
cont.
Steps Toward Independence
Lesson 3: The Convention of 1836
• Fifty-nine delegates met in Washington-on-the-Brazos to attend the Convention of
1836. The Texans met to discuss independence, and most delegates were committed
to splitting from Mexico.
• George Childress is considered the sole author of the Texas Declaration of
Independence, which was approved by all delegates on March 2. The Declaration
stated that Santa Anna had violated the liberties of Texans and deprived them of many
rights, including freedom of religion.
• Delegates also wrote the Constitution of Texas and formed an ad interim government.
Sam Houston was elected the commander-in-chief of the Texas military.
• The Constitution of Texas was greatly influenced by the U.S. Constitution. For example,
Texas’s constitution included a Bill of Rights that guaranteed basic rights. Other
influences were Spanish and Mexican laws, such as community property for husbands
and wives. However, enslaved people were given no rights under the constitution, and
free African Americans were prohibited from owning land. Native American rights were
also left out of the constitution.
• The Alamo fell to Santa Anna’s army in March of 1836. Afterward, the Texan government
fled to Harrisburg. As Santa Anna’s army approached the small town, the government
headed to Galveston.
Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education.
2