Texas Revolution Begins

Mexico in Chaos(1) In 1832 Mexico is plunged into Civil War General Santa Anna takes over Texans support Santa Anna (Turtle Bayou Resolutions) Texans want change

The civil war in Mexico was a political one The civil war in Mexico was a political one. The centralists, who believe in a tightly regulated government, against the Federalists who believed in a constitutional government. Which party was Santa Anna fighting for? Discuss with your partner why the settlers supported Santa Anna at the Turtle Bayou?

*Texas* Convention of 1832 Texas calls a convention in 1832 Texans Want: Immigration from U.S. to resume Texas to become a separate Mexican State (Texas was part of Coahuila y Tejas) Mexico sees 1832 convention as illegal

Austin in Mexico Santa Ana not in Mexico City when Austin arrives Austin met with Vice – President Farias but was not taken seriously Austin loses patience and gets very angry

Austin in Mexico (cont.) Austin warns Mexico that inaction would lead to Texas taking action Austin writes a letter out of anger instructing the Texas leadership to start setting up a separate State government

Santa Ana and Austin Finally Meet Meeting with Santa Ana goes well Agrees to all terms except Texas becoming a separate Mexican state Laws are changed Austin satisfied

Austin Arrested Austin is arrested in Saltillo and imprisoned in Mexico City on his way back to Texas Mexican officials intercept a letter Austin wrote Santa Ana not happy and reverses all laws he agreed to change

Austin Arrested (cont) Santa Anna increases his power when he teams up with Catholic Church Becomes a military dictator Texans angered by Santa Ana’s actions

General Santa Anna Upset! Mexican President Santa Anna is angered by Stephen F. Austin’s letter (Throws Him In Jail) Santa Anna becomes Dictator of Mexico Santa Anna is not happy with the way Texas is defying Mexican law

General Santa Ana Upset! Santa Ana issues a decree to disarm and subdue the rebellious Texans Santa Ana is determined to exert his control over Texas and the rest of Mexico

Mexico Responds By order of General Santa Ana, more Mexican soldiers are sent to Texas Texans are concerned and begin to form groups to unite and report on Mexican troop movements Support for Texas Independence begins to gain support

Battle of Gonzales Under orders from General Santa Ana, Mexican soldiers attempt to disarm the Texans In September of 1835, a small group of Mexican soldiers are sent to Gonzales to retrieve a small brass cannon

Battle of Gonzales The cannon was given to Gonzales for protection against Native American attacks Citizens were informed of the approaching Mexican soldiers and decided to hide the cannon

Battle of Gonzales When the Mexican soldiers arrived, they demanded the cannon be turned over to them Citizens of Gonzales refused

Battle of Gonzales The Mexican soldiers left but promised to return to retrieve the cannon Mayor of Gonzales sends word out asking for volunteers to help defend Gonzales

Battle of Gonzales 100 Mexican soldiers returned to try and retrieve the cannon by force if necessary Unknown to the Mexicans, over 160 Texas volunteers arrived at Gonzales to help defend the town if needed

Battle of Gonzales The Mexican advance was blocked by the Texans The Mexican forces demanded that the cannon be handed over

Battle of Gonzales The cannon was brought out of hiding and decorated with a white flag that read: “Come and Take It” On October 2, 1835, the Texans decided to attack the Mexican force

Battle of Gonzales The Texans claimed that they were upholding the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and had a right to keep the cannon One Mexican soldier was killed and a few others were wounded; no Texans were killed or wounded There is no turning back now. This marks the first battle of the Texas Revolution