Tension between Mexico and Texas
1. Mexican Constitution of 1824 2. Fredonian Rebellion 3. Mier y Terán’s Report 4. Law of April 6, 1830
Law of April 6, 1830
- Mexico was worried about the large population of Anglos in Texas o This ended immigration from the US and wanted more immigration from Europe and Mexico, hoping to build a population loyal to Mexico - To stop immigration, Mexico ended all deals with empresarios - Mexico also banned new slaves coming to Texas, to try and weaken the economy of Texas and making them more dependent on Mexico - Mexico also placed taxes on goods shipped from the US - Mexico passed this law to better control Texas, but ended up setting up a Texas rebellion
Mexico and Texas Clash
- November 1831 o Colonel Bradburn arrests William Travis and Patrick Jack at Anahuac. A force of Texans captures Bradburn’s troops and tries for a prisoner exchange, but Bradburn refuses. o The Texans fall back to Turtle Bayou while waiting for a cannon, and write the Turtle Bayou Resolutions. This expresses their support for Santa Anna (who is mounting a rebellion against the Centralist government) and their dislike for Bradburn. o At this time, Bradburn’s superior officer arrives and ends the conflict peacefully. Trade between the two continues until 1835 without tariffs. - October 1832 o Texans hold the Convention of 1832 which tries to outlaw the Law of April 6, 1830 and to ask Mexico to make Texas its own state. This never reaches the government and Texans begin to wait for Santa Anna to become President. - April 1, 1833 o Santa Anna becomes president of Mexico, and Texans hold another convention. They ask for the same things as in 1832, and also write a state constitution - April 1833 o Stephen F Austin leaves for Mexico City to talk with Santa Anna about the Texans’ proposals. He agrees to some, but rejects Texas statehood. One his way back, Austin is arrested after officials find a letter supporting Texas statehood. He will not be released until 1835. He was a SUPPORTER of Mexican government when he arrived in Mexico City but returns to Texas as a SUPPORTER of Texas Independence. Battles of the Texas Revolution Timeline
June 10, 1832
- Disturbances at Anahuac
October 2, 1835
February 27 – March 3, 1836
- Battle of the Alamo
March 20, 1836
- Battle of Coleto Creek
March 27, 1836
- Goliad Massacre
April 21, 1836
May 14, 1836
Battle of Gonzales
- Although Texans originally supported Santa Anna as president, he has now become a dictator - Colonel Ugartechea demands that the people of Gonzales hand over their cannon o Originally given to them for protection from Indians - Francisco Castaneda is sent to retrieve the cannon and avoid conflict with the Texans. When shots are fired by the Texans, Castaneda and his men withdraw to San Antonio - This showed Texans that they could stand up against a more powerful army and win their independence.
The Battle of the Alamo
- The Alamo was located on Old San Antonio Road and was the last fort protecting Anglo settlements in East Texas - Texans decided to defend the Alamo to try and stop him from conquering the rest of Texas - Mexican troops surrounded the Alamo and fired it with cannons for 13 days, not allowing any supplies to get in or out - During this time, William Travis wrote his famous letter asking for reinforcements that never came. Juan Seguin was able to sneak out and deliver this letter to Sam Houston - The Mexicans attacked and defeated the 189 soldiers there on March 6, 1836 - Even though the Texans were defeated, they showed they were willing to die for their independence
The Battle of Coleto Creek and Goliad Massacre
- March 14 – Fannin is at Goliad waiting to hear news on the men he sent to Refugio. Not wanting to leave Goliad until he hears of their fate, Fannin disobeys Houston’s orders and stays at Goliad. General Urrea and his men head to Goliad - March 19 – Fannin finally begins his retreat from Goliad, but heavy equipment and tired animals make his evacuation slow. Fannin and his men stop to rest in a prairie at Coleto Creek; they are surrounded by Mexican troops but are able to reach a forest for safety. General Urrea attacks - March 20 – Fannin senses the imminent defeat and surrenders - March 25 – After learning of Fannin’s capture, Houston moves his troops west to the Brazos River. Settlers are left unprotected and continue the Runaway Scrape as well - March 27 – Fannin and the captured Texans are executed on orders from Santa Anna, known as the decree of December 30, 1835. This law, passed by Santa Anna, treats all traitors to Mexico as pirates, and orders them to be shot.
Events leading to San Jacinto
- After the defeat at the Alamo, Houston heads east because his inexperienced army cannot fight the Mexicans. - Houston learns of Santa Anna’s location and moves his men to Buffalo Bayou to fight. o On April 21, 1836, the Texas army surprises the Mexican troops at San Jacinto and defeats them in 18 minutes. o Disguised as a regular soldier, Texas troops capture Santa Anna. Texans do not realize who he really is until his men call him “El Presidente.”
Texas Declaration of Independence
Politics in Texas leading to Independence:
- Mexican Constitution of 1824 o Santa Anna eventually overthrew this constitution when he became a dictator - Convention of 1836 o Met to take a more significant action against the Mexican government o Had to work quickly because of the fast approaching Mexican Army . George Childress wrote the Declaration of Impendence . Delegates wrote a new constitution for the Republic of Texas . They also formed a temporary government David Burnet named President Lorenzo de Zavala named Vice President
Treaties of Velasco
- With Santa Anna captured at San Jacinto, most people want him executed. Houston and Burnet keep him alive to negotiate peace treaties with him - They also agreed to a private treaty that would take effect once all of the public treaty was finished o In order to gain immediate freedom, Santa Anna promises to recognize Texas as a free and independent nation. Neither happen and the treaties fail.