THE TEXAS REVOLUTION

Mexico became an independent nation in 1821 Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla led an unsuccessful revolt of poor Indians and mestizos in 1810. Independence from Spain came in 1821

Empresarios Empresarios were hired to bring new settlers to the Mexican area called Texas. An empresario was authorized to give land to people from other areas, including the United States, for the purpose of populating Texas. In return, the empresario was given land for his own personal use.

Empresario Document an actual land grant document from 1828 by Empresario Don Jose Antonio Navarro

Stephen F. Austin Stephen F. Austin was an empresario who later became a hero of the Texas revolution. Later, a city in Texas was named after him.

New Settlers Laws New settlers to Texas had to obey certain laws imposed by the Mexican government, which was located in Mexico City.

Some of These Laws Were.... Become a member of the Catholic Church Swear allegiance to the Mexican government Understand that slavery would not be tolerated in Texas

Mexico Falls In the meantime, Mexico had fallen into the hands of a powerful dictator named General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who had been elected president.

Dictator A dictator is a ruler who rules with absolute power and authority.

Texans Refused to Obey Many Texans from the United States brought their slaves with them to Texas, even though slavery was illegal. They refused to obey the no-slavery laws imposed by Mexico.

“Texicans” Texans also were mostly Protestant and not interested in becoming Catholic. Neither did they care about learning Spanish as a new language. Most “Texicans” were not good Mexicans.

Santa Anna banned Texas settlement Santa Anna responded to this by disallowing further settlement into Texas, which angered the new Texan citizens. By 1830, about 20,000 Americans had moved into Texas.

The Texas settlers began to form a new Texas government This government was separate from Mexico. On March 2, 1836, Texas was formed as a new republic. Texas was modeled after the United States. Slavery was allowed.

Leaders of the new Texas were chosen Delegates to the constitutional convention chose the leaders of Texas. David Burnet was elected temporary President. Empresario Lorenzo de Zavalo was elected Vice President. Sam Houston, a Tennessean, was head of the army of Texas.

The Revolution Begins The actual Texas revolution started at the Battle of Gonzales, October 1835, in which the “rebels” were victorious.

Santa Anna’s Army Santa Anna began to assemble a large army at a small, abandoned mission near San Antonio. It’s name was the Alamo.

Surrounded Santa Anna’s 6000 soldiers surrounded the Alamo, which protected only about 150 Texas soldiers.

All Defenders Killed All of the defenders of the Alamo were killed. Only a few survivors were left to tell the story of their heroic deaths.

Several important Texans fought that famous day, March 6, 1836: Davy Crockett, a famous Tennessean William Travis Jim Bowie Juan Seguin, a Tejano Joe, a slave of Travis, whose life was spared Travis Crockett Bowie Sequin

Santa Anna Moves His Army Following the victory at the Alamo, Santa Anna moved his army to a town called Goliad, where he murdered over 300 Texas soldiers who had surrendered.

The People Would Never Forget All over Texas, people were crying out..... “Remember the Alamo!” “Remember Goliad!”

Sam Houston In the meantime, General Sam Houston and his Texan army was avoiding confrontation with Santa Anna until he felt the moment was right to insure victory. That time came in the afternoon of April 21, 1836.

Santa Anna’s Mistakes He divided his army. He chose a poor site for his army to camp. His army was taking a mid-afternoon siesta. His army was completely surprised.

Battle of San Jacinto The Battle lasted 0nly 18 minutes. Santa Anna’s army was completely destroyed.

Santa Anna Captured Santa Anna was captured the following day and signed over to General Houston the area of Mexico called Texas.

Sam Houston Was a Hero He had a town named after him and he was elected the first president of Texas. Stephen F. Austin was elected the first Secretary of State.

Remember the Alamo! After nearly 200 years, why is the Battle of the Alamo remembered , and so important to the Texas Revolution? The men who fought and died there were common citizens, who inspired other Texans to continue the fight. They cared to fight for what they believed in, no matter the cost.