Sam Houston
Santa Anna
1836
Role of Sam Houston
Texas was now a republic – a free country – no
longer part of Mexico
Without a victory over Santa Anna, the actions
of the Convention meant nothing
The focus shifted to Texas army leader, Sam
Houston
The success of the revolution relied on this one
man
Houston’s Early Life
Born in Virginia on March 2, 1793
Moved to Tennessee at 13 when his father died
Little schooling but loved to read
Left home at 16 to live with the Cherokee
Indians who nicknamed him the “Raven”
Joined army at 20 to fight in War of 1812 and
became Andrew Jackson’s protégé
Became adjutant general of Tennessee militia
Houston’s Early Life
Houston studied law and politics
Served twice in Tennessee Congress and one
term as Governor before resigning
Lived with Cherokee Indians for 3 years before
moving to Texas in 1833
In 1835, he was selected as the major general
of the Texas army
Houston’s Leadership
Houston was 6’3”, 240 lbs; stood out in a crowd
Determined to succeed
Had a strong sense of right and wrong
Not afraid to make hard choices or take a stand
He focused the Convention on forming a
government for Texas
His tactical retreat grew criticism but he was
patient and waited for the right time to strike
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
The Role of Santa Anna
Texans pinned their hopes on one man and their
fears on another…..Santa Anna
Ordered soldiers to burn buildings, farms and
towns in their path
Wanted to drive the Anglo settlers out of Texas
By mid-April 1836, Santa Anna was in position
to crush the revolution
He believed Houston was beaten and driving his
army to safety
Santa Anna’s Early Life
Born in Veracruz on February 21, 1794
Spent little time in school as a youth
Late teens were spent living with Indians
At 16, joined cadets of the Spanish Royal Army
Learned harsh military tactics from Spanish
General Arredondo
Moved through the ranks of the Mexican army
Became governor of Veracruz
Santa Anna’s Early Life
Santa Anna defeated Spanish army that tried to
regain control of Mexico in 1829 – became hero
In 1832, he led rebellion and became president
He changed sides and set himself up as a
dictator
Many groups in Mexico resented his grab for
power
He defeated any rebels and punished them
Santa Anna’s Leadership
Santa Anna showed no fear as a soldier
He had great drive and ability
He acted in his own self-interest
Turned against his own government several
times
Ousted the government that put him in office
Valued personal gain over loyalty
Held the office of President of Mexico 11 times
(22 total years in office; 1833-1855)
Santa Anna’s Leadership
Treated his enemies mercilessly
Attacked the Alamo for his own selfish reasons
Wanted to pay the Texans back for defeating his
brother-in-law Cos at San Antonio siege
He could have starved out the defenders of the
Alamo but instead led a furious assault
Executions at Goliad Massacre showed what
would happen to those who opposed him
Santa Anna’s Action
Santa Anna’s actions at the Alamo and Goliad
gave Texans new reasons to fight
He split his army into 5 columns and marched
through Texas burning towns
In his quest to create panic, he lost sight of his
main goal…..to destroy Houston’s army
This mistake gave Houston more time to train
his forces
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
Courageous
Fearless
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
Courageous
Determined to
succeed
Fearless
Great drive
and ability
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
Courageous
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
The “Raven”
The “Eagle”
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
The “Raven”
The “Eagle”
Governors
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
The “Raven”
The “Eagle”
Governors
Little education
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Strong sense of
right and wrong
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
The “Raven”
The “Eagle”
Governors
Little education
Valued personal
gain over loyalty
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Strong sense of
right and wrong
Patient
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
The “Raven”
The “Eagle”
Governors
Little education
Valued personal
gain over loyalty
Impatient
Similarities and Differences
Sam Houston
Santa Anna
Brave/
courageous
Strong sense of
right and wrong
Fearless
Determined to
succeed
Great drive
and ability
Patient
Lived with
Cherokees
Lived with
Indians
Cautious
Joined Army
at 20
Joined Army
at 16
The “Raven”
The “Eagle”
Governors
Little education
Valued personal
gain over loyalty
Impatient
Careless
Sam Houston Fun Facts
Sam Houston was married 3 times
He had 8 children with his 3rd wife – 3 boys and
5 girls
3rd wife made him become Baptist before
marriage
Died in Huntsville, TX on July 26, 1863 at the
age of 70 of pneumonia
Only man to ever be Governor of 2 states
Houston, TX was named for him
Sam Houston Statue (67 ft)