Texas Revolution Overview

Historical Context

• Mexico's Independence (1821):
  • Mexico gained independence from Spain.
  • Had vast lands but sparse population.
  • Started "empresario" program to recruit settlers.
• Empresarios:
  • Tasked with recruiting settlers.
  • Offered land as incentive.
  • Notable empresario: Stephen F. Austin.
  • Established San Felipe de Austin.

Rising Tensions

• Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna:
  • Elected President of Mexico.
  • Acted as a dictator.
  • Ignored the Constitution, causing unrest among Texans.
• Gonzales Cannon Incident (1835):
  • Mexican troops attempted to reclaim a cannon.
  • Texans resisted, marking the start of the revolution.

Key Events of the Texas Revolution

• Capture of San Antonio:
  • Texan forces pushed Mexicans out and took the Alamo.
• Declaration of Independence:
  • Declared by Texans on March 2, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Significant Battles

• Battle of the Alamo (March 6, 1836):
  • Santa Anna's forces attacked.
  • All 180 Texans, including Davy Crockett, were killed.
  • Led to the "Runaway Scrape," where Texans retreated and burned supplies.
• Goliad Massacre:
  • 340 Texan soldiers captured and executed by Mexican troops.

Turning Point

• General Sam Houston:
  • Used the retreat to gather an army.
  • Texans prepared for a decisive battle.
• Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836):
  • Houston led a surprise attack on Santa Anna's larger army.
  • Texans shouted "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!"
  • Lasted 18 minutes; significant Texan victory.
  • 650 Mexican soldiers killed, 11 Texans died.
  • Santa Anna captured and forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco.

Aftermath

• Texas Independence:
  • Treaty of Velasco acknowledged Texas's independence.
  • Mexico never officially recognized it.
  • Texas joined USA in 1845, leading to the Mexican-American War.