The Revolution begins!!! By 1835 Santa Anna was in full control of Mexico and had become a centralist dictator. He disbanded the Mexican Congress and had a new constitution written to give all power to him Santa Anna sent his brother in law, General Martin Perfecto de Cos to San Antonio de Bexar to watch over Texas and put down any rebellion. Dictator: When one person controls a nation

Austin Returns Two Texas lawyers secured Stephen F. Austin his release from jail in August of 1835. When he returned to Texas he told his followers that the Mexican Government could not be trusted and convinced many in the peace party to call for a war for independence.

Mottos in center: "Where Liberty dwells there is my country.“ Stephen F. Austin’s design for a Texas Flag Mottos in center: "Where Liberty dwells there is my country.“ "WASHINGTON-In his example there is safety"

Mexican General Cos in San Antonio de Bexar General Cos knew the Texians were becoming more and more rebellious. He asked for more troops from Mexico and started fortifying military positions in San Antonio including the old Alamo Mission which the Mexicans turned into a military fort. Cos felt he needed to disarm the Texians so he sent a small army patrol to the town of Gonzales to confiscate a small cannon there that was used for Indian defense. Fortify: Turn into a military fort

Battle of Gonzales The citizens of Gonzales refused to give up the cannon. About a 160 Texians gathered around the small cannon and a flag inscribed “Come and Take It.”

The Texians attacked the Mexican soldiers and killed one. The Mexicans then retreated back to San Antonio. The battle of Gonzales was the first battle of the Texas Revolution!!!

“Texian Army of the People” Hundreds of Texians poured into Gonzales to take part in the fight but by the time they arrived the battle was over. They organized themselves as the “Army of the People” and elected Stephen F. Austin to lead them with the goal of taking San Antonio de Bexar and driving the Mexicans under General Cos out of Texas!

The Siege and Battle of San Antonio Texians forces soon surrounded the Mexicans and settled in for a 34 day long siege of the city A siege is when an army surrounds a fortified place and waits to attack.

The Consultation of 1835 During the siege of San Antonio, delegates from across the state met in San Felipe to hold a conference. This “Consultation” voted 33 to 15 NOT to declare independence but instead declared they fought for the Constitution of 1824 and self-government. They also elected Sam Houston as General of the Texian Army. They also selected Henry Smith as provisional governor and to meet again on March 1st, 1836 to decide on the independence question.

The Battle of San Antonio The siege dragged on and on and soon Texian soldiers started going back to their farms. On December 11th 1835 Ben Milan led 300 Texians in a charge into the city. Milan was killed but after some brutal house to house fighting the Texians won as the Mexican army and General Cos was forced to surrender!! “Who will go with Old Ben Milam into San Antonio?”

The Mexican army marched out of Texas. After Mexican General Cos and his Mexican army surrendered they promised to never oppose the Constitution of 1824 again and to leave Texas forever. The Mexican army marched out of Texas. The Texians celebrated as they thought the war was over… Mexican Soldiers march out of Texas

Texas Revolution Players Review!!! Lorenzo de Zavala: Ad Interm (Temporary) Vice-President of Republic of Texas during the war. George C. Childress: Author of the Texas Declaration of Independence James Walker Fannin: Commander of Texas army at Goliad. Men and him killed at Goliad Massacre. Santa Anna: Centralist dictator and President of Mexico. Led the Mexican army in Texas Revolution. Won the Alamo and was captured at the Battle of San Jacinto. Signed Treaty of Velasco that gave Texas its independence.

Texas Revolution Players Review!!! Juan Seguin: Tejano leader from San Antonio. Fought for the Texians at the Alamo before leaving to deliver a message to Sam Houston. Led the Tejanos in the victory at San Jacinto. William Barret Travis: Left his wife and debts behind to come to Texas. Was a major leader in the “war party.” Was co-commander of the Alamo with Bowie and died there. James Butler Bonham: Childhood friend of Travis who came to Texas to fight in the Revolution. Returned bravely to the Alamo after seeking Texas reinforcements. He died in the Battle of the Alamo.

James “Jim” Bowie Involved in massive land fraud in Louisiana and Arkansas before coming to TX. (sold fake Spanish land grants) Fought in the Sandbar fight (a duel) in 1827 where he killed a man with his famous massive knife. In 1830 moved to San Antonio to pursue land schemes and speculation. Married a young Mexican woman but she and their son died of cholera. Co-Commander of the Alamo and died there Bowie Knife

Bowie, Texas. Future home to the World’s largest Bowie Knife!

David Crockett Born in Tennessee Elected to Congress in 1826 where he opposed President Andrew Jackson on many issues. Jackson was too powerful however and he lost his 1835 reelection campaign. Told the people of Tennessee, “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas!” A fictional play based on him called The Lion of the West made him famous. Came to Texas in early 1836 where he joined the Texas Army and went to the Alamo in San Antonio where he died. In 1954 Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier was a hit movie and hit song and Davy Crockett became a hero to millions of coonskin hat wearing children.

Sam Houston Born in Virginia, raised in Tennessee, he ran away in his teens to live with the Cherokee Indians who he adored. Served in the Creek (Indian) Wars under Andrew Jackson where he almost died at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. Afterwards became a protégé to Andrew Jackson Sam Houston was elected to Congress and then served as the Governor of Tennessee in 1827 Many people thought he would be the President of the United States one day…

He resigned from office and spent time with the Cherokee again. His young wife, Eliza Allen, left the Governor under mysterious circumstances which ended his political career in Tennessee. He resigned from office and spent time with the Cherokee again. Came to Texas in 1832 and immediately got involved in the “War Party” Became the commander of the Texian army and won the battle of San Jacinto where he captured Santa Anna and won Texas Independence! He was the 1st President of the Republic of Texas!!! Houston with the Cherokee Houston later in life