Texas Revolution
Tension between Mexico and Texas
1. Mexican Constitution of 1824
- Federalists (who support a national government who share power with the states) defeated
the Centralists (who supported a strong national government with little state power) to
create a new Constitution. This allowed Texas to have power to govern its own affairs and
the Anglo Texans had a lot of freedom to think and act differently than the Mexican
Government wanted.
2. Fredonian Rebellion
- Two Anglo brothers (Haden and Benjamin Edwards) got into a dispute over land with the
Mexican government near Nacogdoches. The Mexican Government decided to take the land
from the Edwards brother, which resulted in the Edwards brothers declaring themselves
independent from Mexico in 1826. They soon fled however. This caused Mexico to become
worried about the fact that the majority of people living in Texas were Anglos and worried
about a possible rebellion.
3. Mier y Teran’s Report
- Fearing a possible rebellion by Texans and worried the US might try to take Texas, Mexico
sent Mier y Teran to report on Texas. Teran reported that the Texans only spoke English and
had no intention of becoming like Mexico. The further North he went in Texas, the less and
less “Mexican” the state was. He recommended much stricter laws on Texas.
4. Law of April 6, 1830
- The Centralists regained control of the Mexican Government and passed the Law of April 6,
1830. This law outlawed immigration from the US and banned the use of slaves in Texas. It
also placed taxes on goods shipped from the US. Texans were very angry about this law and
felt it violated the Constitution of 1824 which allowed the states more freedom to govern
themselves.
Law of April 6, 1830
-
-
Mexican officials were worried about the majority Anglo population in Texas and that they
would lose Texas.
This law was intended to help Mexico keep control over Texas
Mexico was worried about the large population of Anglos in Texas
o This ended immigration from the US and wanted more immigration from Europe
and Mexico, hoping to build a population loyal to Mexico
To stop immigration, Mexico ended all deals with empresarios
Mexico also banned slavery in Texas, to try and weaken the economy of Texas and making
them more dependent on Mexico
Mexico also sent soldiers to patrol key parts of Texas because they did not trust the settlers
Mexico also placed taxes on goods shipped from the US
Mexico passed this law to better control Texas, but ended up setting up a Texas rebellion
Mexico and Texas Clash
-
-
-
-
-
In the 1830s, Mexico’s Centralist government was fearful that Texans were becoming to
independent. They enacted new laws and regulations to better control the state.
January 1831
o When a Mexican official comes to give settlers titles to their land, Colonel Bradburn
(a Centralist) sees this as a challenge to government control. He remains in charge
and angry
November 1831
o Colonel Bradburn arrests William Travis and Patrick Jack at Anahuac. A force of
Texans captures Bradburn’s troops and tries for a prisoner exchange, but Bradburn
refuses.
o The Texans fall back to Turtle Bayou while waiting for a cannon, and write the Turtle
Bayou Resolutions. This expresses their support for Santa Anna (who is mounting a
rebellion against the Centralist government) and their dislike for Bradburn.
o At this time, Bradburn’s superior officer arrives and ends the conflict peacefully.
Trade between the two continues until 1835 without tariffs.
October 1832
o Texans hold the Convention of 1832 which tries to outlaw the Law of April 6, 1830
and to ask Mexico to make Texas its own state. This never reaches the government
and Texans begin to wait for Santa Anna to become President.
April 1, 1833
o Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico, and Texans hold another convention.
They ask for the same things as in 1832, and also write a state constitution
April 1833
o Stephen F Austin leaves for Mexico City to talk with Santa Anna about the Texans’
proposals. He agrees to some, but rejects Texas statehood. One his way back, Austin
is arrested after officials find a letter supporting Texas statehood. He will not be
released until 1835.
Battles of the Texas Revolution Timeline
June 10, 1832
-
Disturbances at Anahuac
Texans are arrested by Colonel Bradburn, sparking the Texas Revolution
June 26. 1832
-
Battle of Velasco
Texans attempt to move a cannon to Anahuac but are stopped by Mexican forces
October 2, 1835
-
Battle of Gonzales
Mexican forces attempt to take a cannon from the people of Gonzales. “Come and Take It”
February 27 – March 3, 1836
-
Battle of the Alamo
After a 13 day siege, Mexican forces attack the Alamo and kill all soldiers. Survivors flee to
Gonzales
March 20, 1836
-
Battle of Coleto Creek
Fannin’s men are surrounded when the rest in an open prairie, and marched back to Goliad
March 27, 1836
-
Goliad Massacre
On orders from Santa Anna, Fannin’s men are executed outside of Goliad
April 21, 1836
-
Battle of San Jacinto
Texans are able to surprise the Mexican forces and capture Santa Anna, ending the
Revolution
May 14, 1836
-
Treaties of Velasco
Two treaties, one public and one private, are signed but never recognized by Mexico.
Battle of Gonzales
-
Although Texans originally supported Santa Anna as president, he has now become a
dictator
General Cos is sent to San Antonio to arrest anyone who opposes Santa Anna
Colonel Ugartechea demands that the people of Gonzales hand over their cannon
o Originally given to them for protection from Indians
Francisco Castaneda is sent to retrieve the cannon and avoid conflict with the Texans. When
shots are fired by the Texans, Castaneda and his men withdraw to San Antonio
The Gonzales militia becomes known as the “Army of the People” and Stephen Austin takes
command of it
The 400 man army marches to San Antonio to confront General Cos
This showed Texans that they could stand up against a more powerful army and win their
independence.
The Consultation
-
Held in November of 1835 in San Felipe de Austin
Settlers draft a Declaration of the People which expresses their support of the Mexican
Constitution of 1824 and creates a temporary Texas Government
Sam Houston is also named commander of the new Texas Army
First Siege of the Alamo
-
-
The Army of the People create a blockade around San Antonio
The Grass Fight
o Erasmus “Deaf” Smith sees soldiers with wagons traveling to General Cos. Thinking
they are bringing supplies, the Texans attack. The mules are only carrying hay for
the animals and this becomes known as the Grass Fight
General Cos and his men will retreat to the Alamo for safety before surrendering and
retreating to Mexico
The Battle of the Alamo
-
Santa Anna was furious when General Cos surrendered the Alamo in December of 1835.
Texans expected him to attack in the Spring, but he surprised them in February
The Alamo was located on Old San Antonio Road and was the last fort protecting Anglo
settlements in East Texas
Texans decided to defend the Alamo to try and stop him from conquering the rest of Texas
Mexican troops surrounded the Alamo and fired it with cannons for 13 days, not allowing
any supplies to get in or out
During this time, William Travis wrote his famous letter asking for reinforcements that never
came. Juan Seguin was able to sneak out and deliver this letter to Sam Houston
The Mexicans attacked and defeated the 189 soldiers their on March 6, 1836
Even though the Texans were defeated, they showed they were willing to die for their
independence
Williams Travis – Commander at the Alamo
-
James Bowie
Davey Crockett
The War Rages On
-
-
-
-
February 27, 1836 – General Urrea defeats Colonel Frank Johnson at San Patricio
March 11 – Sam Houston, the new commander-in-chief, arrives at Gonzales with less than
400 men. After hearing of the fall of the Alamo, Houston retreats. The Runaway Scrape also
begins, with settlers fleeing East to escape the Mexican army
March 13 – General Urrea enters the town of Goliad, and James Fannin sends some men
from Goliad to defend Refugio. Most are captured or killed by the Mexican army
March 13 – Hoping to unite troops and create a bigger army, Houston retreats to the
Colorado River and sends orders for Fannin to leave Goliad and meet him
March 14 – Fannin is at Goliad waiting to hear news on the men he sent to Refugio. Not
wanting to leave Goliad until he hears of their fate, Fannin disobeys Houston’s orders and
stays at Goliad. General Urrea and his men head to Goliad
March 19 – Fannin finally begins his retreat from Goliad, but heavy equipment and tired
animals make his evacuation slow. Fannin and his men stop to rest in a prairie at Coleto
Creek; they are surrounded by Mexican troops but are able to reach a forest for safety.
General Urrea attacks
March 20 – Fannin senses the imminent defeat and surrenders
March 25 – After learning of Fannin’s capture, Houston moves his troops west to the Brazos
River. Settlers are left unprotected and continue the Runaway Scrape as well
March 27 – Fannin and the captured Texans are executed on orders from Santa Anna,
known as the decree of December 30, 1835. This law, passed by Santa Anna, treats all
traitors to Mexico as pirates, and orders them to be shot.
The Runaway Scrape
-
Knowing he did not have enough men or proper training to fight the Mexican army, Sam
Houston decides to retreat east to buy himself some more time.
Settlers who were left unprotected take anything that they can carry and retreat also
After hearing of the defeat at the Alamo, Houston and his men head east to the Colorado
River. Here they stop to train for 9 days
Texas settlers were angry and scared about this decision, but they to head east to
Nacogdoches, Galveston and Louisiana
When Fannin’s men are captured and Santa Anna’s army close, Sam Houston retreats again
to the Brazos River
The Mexican army, raids by Native Americans, disease, cold, and lack of food made this
journey for settlers very difficult. Many died as a result
Events leading to San Jacinto
-
After the defeat at the Alamo, Houston heads east because his inexperienced army cannot
fight the Mexicans.
He stops at Grace’s landing on the Brazos River to train his troops and hope Santa Anna
makes a mistake
As Santa Anna is pursuing Houston’s troops, he marches to Harrisburg to try and capture
President David Burnet. Burnet is able to escape, but Santa Anna burns the city
Houston learns of Santa Anna’s location and moves his men to Buffalo Bayou to fight.
o After a small skirmish, Deaf Smith burns Vince’s bridge, preventing either side from
escaping
o On April 21, 1836, the Texas army surprises the Mexican troops at San Jacinto and
defeats them in 18 minutes.
o Disguised as a regular soldier, Texas troops capture Santa Anna. Texans do not
realize who he really is until his men call him “El Presidente.”
Texas Declaration of Independence
Politics in Texas leading to Independence:
-
-
Mexican Constitution of 1824
o Santa Anna eventually overthrew this constitution when he became a dictator
Consultation of 1835
o Held in San Felipe in response to Santa Anna’s way of governing Texas
 War Party wanted a Declaration of Independence
 Peace Party believed Texans had to right to a Declaration, but did not want
to create on
 The Peace Party won the vote, but this left Texans with no clear direction as
to what to do about the Mexican government
Convention of 1836
o Met to take a more significant action against the Mexican government
o
Had to work quickly because of the fast approaching Mexican Army
 George Childress wrote the Declaration of Impendence
 Delegates wrote a new constitution for the Republic of Texas
 They also formed a temporary government
 David Burnet named President
 Lorenzo de Zavala named Vice President
Texas and United States
-
-
-
-
Declarations of Independence
o US – written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776
o TX – written by George Childress in 1836
o Both have a philosophical beginning, then lists grievances and declares
independence
o Both target who their grievances are against
 US towards King George III
 TX towards Santa Anna
Constitution and Bill of Rights
o US – original version did not contain a Bill of Rights, but those were added as
Amendments to the main body (Speech, Press, Religion, etc.)
o TX – had Bill of Rights in the main document and listed rights very similar to the US
Government Structure
o US – government is split into 3 branches (executive, legislative, and judicial). Checks
and Balances make sure that one branch does not become too powerful
o TX – has the same three branches as well as a similar checks and balances
Texans realized that the US documents were very effective and used most of the same
things. However, the Texans did keep some customs from Mexico, such as community
property, protection from creditors and allowed slavery (the US avoided this issue)
Treaties of Velasco
-
-
With Santa Anna captured at San Jacinto, most people want him executed. Houston and
Burnet keep him alive to negotiate peace treaties with him
Article 1
o Permanent peace between the two nations
Article 3
o Removes Mexican troops across the Rio Grande border. This establishes what
Texans believe should be the border
Article 9
o Frees all prisoners on both sides
Article 10
o Santa Anna will be allowed to return to Mexico
-
They also agreed to a private treaty that would take effect once all of the public treaty was
finished
o In order to gain immediate freedom, Santa Anna promises to recognize Texas as a
free and independent nation. Neither happen and the treaties fail
Behind the Scenes at Velasco
-
-
Santa Anna agreed to this treaty because it would save his life
Because Sam Houston was injured, Burnet would negotiate the treaty
Texans wanted Santa Anna killed, but Burnet knew that if they wanted to be respected as a
nation, they would have to keep him alive
Signed two treaties, a public one, and a private one to take effect after the public treaty
Public
o Free all prisoners, peace between the nations, troops would leave to the Rio Grande
and Santa Anna would go back to Mexico
Private
o Rio Grande was agreed to as the border and Santa Anna would recognize Texas
The treaties fell apart because both sides did not keep their end of the deal
With no peace treaty in place, Mexico refused to recognize Texas