Transcript Document

The Texas Revolution
Spanish Texas
 The Spanish had
been in the
Americas since
Columbus in 1492.
 Spain owned a large
part of North
America, including
Texas.
Tejanos
In 1821, only about 4,000 Tejanos lived
in Texas.
Tejanos are people of Spanish heritage
who consider Texas their home.
The Spanish government tried to attract
Spanish setters to Texas, but very few
came.
Moses Austin
 An American, Moses
Austin was given
permission by the
Spanish government to
start a colony in Texas.
 All the Americans had to
do was follow Spanish
laws.
 Moses died in 1821, so
his son Stephen tried to
start the colony.
In 1821, Mexico won
independence from Spain
Mexican Independence
Changes Texas
 The Mexican government
told Stephen Austin his
settlers would have to
become Mexican citizens
and members of the Roman
Catholic Church, and learn
Spanish.
 Between 1821 and 1827,
Austin attracted 297 families
to his new settlement.
 The success of Austin’s colony attracted
more land speculators and settlers to Texas
from the United States. Some were looking
for a new life, some were escaping from the
law, and others were looking for a chance to
grow rich. By 1830, the population had
swelled to about 30,000,with Americans
outnumbering the Tejanos six to one.
Rising Tensions in Texas
In 1829, the Mexican government
outlawed slavery.
The settlers wanted to keep their slaves
so they could grow cotton.
The Americans also didn’t want to learn
Spanish or follow Mexican laws.
Very few settlers had converted to
Catholicism.
 In 1829, the Mexican government closed the
state to further American immigration.
 Texans had to start paying taxes for the first time.
 Mexican president, General Antonio Lopez de
Santa Anna sent more Mexican troops to Texas.
 Texans began talk of breaking away from Mexico.
 When Stephen Austin was jailed, the Texans did
revolt.
 Santa Anna led 6,000 troops to Texas to put
down the revolt.
The Alamo
 The first battle
between the Texans
and Mexicans took
place at on old
mission that was
used as a fort.
 It was called the
Alamo.
Famous People in the Alamo
Davy Crocket
Born in
Tennessee
Friends with
Jackson-until
falling out
Moved to Texas
Disney Video1
Disney Video 2
Santa Anna’s army arrives
On February 23, Alamo defenders were
shocked to see the beginning of the
Mexican force arriving in San Antonio
Texans barely make it into the Alamo
before the Mexican cavalry arrives in
the city.
Mexican forces quietly occupy San
Antonio and begin surrounding the
Alamo.
Bowie and Travis
Bowie and Travis fought to lead the
troops. Bowie ended up ill which lead
to Travis leading the battle.
Bowie estimated that 1,000 troops
would be needed to defend the Alamo.
They believed that holding the Alamo at
any cost was vital to the future of Texas
The mission walls were incomplete,
hampering the defense.
Victory or Death
Travis wrote several messages to the
people of Texas and to the United
States asking for assistance
Travis received little response to his
pleas for aid because the Texas forces
were poorly organized.
On March 1, only 32 reinforcements
arrived at the Alamo from Gonzales.
James Bonham
•Lifelong friend of William Travis
•Was a great horseman
•Sent on several missions to get
help from Texans around the
Alamo
•Reportedly went to Goliad were
Fannin refused to move
•Rode through the Mexican lines
in order to get back into the
Alamo
•He died defending the fort on
March 6, 1836
Red Flag of Death
At his headquarters in San Fernando
Church, Santa Anna flew the red “no
quarters” flag, meaning that he would
take no prisoners.
Mexican buglers played throughout the
night to keep the Alamo defenders
unnerved.
The song they played, “Deguello” was
the song of death, and let the defenders
know they would all die if they fought
Facing Certain Death
On March 5, Travis explained to his
troops that remaining at the Alamo
meant certain death.
According to legend, he drew a line on
the ground with his sword and invited
those who wished to stay to cross the
line.
Almost 200 men decided to stay and
fight for their beliefs.
The Final Battle Begins
The final assault began on the morning
of March 6, 1836 at 5:30 A.M.
Santa Anna had stopped the cannon
fire the night before to allow the Texans
to sleep, then interrupted their slumber
with an early morning attack
An estimated 1,800 Mexican troops
took part, attacking at four different
points.
The Bloody Battle
The North wall fell first, where
William Travis was killed early in the
Fighting
The men retreated to the long
barracks where the bloodiest of the
fighting took place.
Bowie was killed in his cot too sick
to take part in the battle
The Alamo Falls
The Mexican army turned the Texan
cannons on the Texans and forced
them toward the chapel.
The chapel was the last area to fall. By
that time all but a few defenders were
killed
According to Mexican sources about 7
men survived the fighting, including
Davy Crockett. They were taken
prisoner.
Casualties
All but a few of the 200 defenders of the
Alamo are killed in battle. The
prisoners are executed.
Santa Anna reports 70 of his men
killed, while reports claim as many as
400 men killed
Susanna Dickinson, wife of an Alamo
defender and her infant daughter
survive as well as Travis’ slave, Joe
and a few others are allowed to go free.
Battle at San Jacinto
 Santa Anna had over 300 more Texans executed at
Golidad.
 Texan general, Sam Houston gathered more troops, 800
in all.
 It included Tejanos, American settlers, volunteers from the
United States, and many free and enslaved African
Americans.
 They met Santa Anna at San Jacinto.
 Their battle cry was,
“Remember the Alamo!”
 It was over in 18 minutes. More than half the Mexican
army was killed.
 Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its
freedom. With the Battle of San Jacinto,Texas was now an
independent country.
General Santa Anna
surrenders to General Houston
Lone Star Republic
 In 1836, Texas declared itself
The Lone Star Republic.
 Sam Houston was elected
president.
 Some Americans wanted
Texas to be part of the U.S.
 Some people were afraid of
Texas becoming a slave
state, others of war with
Mexico.
 Both would eventually
happen.