The Start of Revolution Textbook pages 183-192

1. For what kind of government were Texans fighting? Texans were particularly drawn toward self-government and regional government similar to what they had under Spanish rule. Many settlers from the United States liked the hands-off approach and the idea of self-government that was prevalent in America. More than anything, Texans resented the growing strength of the Mexican government over Texas.

2. What incident sparked the first shot of the Texas Revolution? The first shot of the Texas Revolution occurred at the Battle of Gonzales. Mexican leaders, fearful that Texans would resort to violence to get their way, decided to seize a cannon in Gonzales to prevent the settlers from using it against the national government. This plan had some serious flaws, and the Texans used that very cannon against the Mexicans who came to seize it.

3. According to the Consultation, why were Texans fighting? After a series of compromises at the Consultation, the delegates agreed that they were fighting for the 1824 constitution. If (and only if) Mexico refused to give them this, they would consider independence from Mexico.

4. What was the “Grass Fight”? In the midst of the siege of San Antonio, Texans saw a group of pack mules carrying items back into the fort. The Texans believed that they were sacks of silver to pay the soldiers within the fort, so they seized the mules. However, these sacks actually contained grass to feed the starving livestock within the fort. Hereafter, this incident became known as the Grass Fight.

5. Why did Cós surrender at San Antonio? After seven weeks, the morale of Cós’s men within the fort had significantly dropped. Even though the commander of the Texas troops was killed and additional Mexican troops arrived in San Antonio, Cós realized that the Mexican troops were doomed to lose the battle. He surrendered to the Texans in order to spare lives.