Texas Revolution

Texas Revolution vs American Revolution Similarities Britain left the colonies alone at first Britain was concerned about losing control over the colonies and cracked down with rules Colonists resented changes and went to war Mexico left colonists alone at first Mexico was concerned about losing control over the Texas colonies and passed tax laws and rules

Other similarities Both fought against unjust rulers (King George III and Santa Anna) Both had people that called for war and opposed it

Differences between the Revolutions American Revolution lasted 6 yrs, Texas Revolution lasted 7 months AR had more battles, TR had fewer battles AR had the same basic British culture, TR had two different cultures: Mexican and Anglo

Battle of Gonzales Mexican army had loaned a small cannon to the Texans at nearby Gonzales to fight the Comanches in 1831 After Anahuac, Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea was worried the cannon would be used against the Mexican army He decided to take back the cannon in late Sept 1835

In Gonzales, the Mayor Andrew Ponton told the soldiers not to give up the cannon without written orders from the Mexican government Ponton buried the cannon to hide it and 18 of the town’s men prepared to fight They removed all boats on the Guadalupe River and captured the waiting Mexican patrol Ugartecha found out and sent 100 more troops to Gonzales to take the cannon back

They reached Gonzales on Oct 1 but could not enter the town The Guadalupe River was too high to cross on horseback and there were no boats A group of 18 armed Texans known as the “Old Eighteen” waited on the other side They held off the Mexican army until more help could arrive

The Texans decided to take action and dug up the cannon The women in town created a battle flag, it featured a cannon and the word “Come and Take it!” The Texans crossed the river the night of Oct 1 and attacked the Mexicans. 1 Mexican died, Texas suffered no deaths

Battle of Gonzales marked the start of the Texas Revolution It is referred to as the “Lexington” of the Texas Revolution