Texas History
Fort Burrows
7.1 - The Beginnings of Revolution
READ pgs 154 - 159
King George III (1738-1820)
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Feb 1794 – June 1876
King of England
Reign 25 October 1760 – 29 January
1820
President of Mexico June 1833
American Revolution
Texas Revolution
American Revolution – 6 years
English versus English
Texas Revolution – 7 months
American (English) versus Spanish
Great Britain originally left the
colonists alone to develop on their own
Mexico originally left the Texas
settlers aloneMexican
to develop on their own
The colonists began to develop the
colonies largely on their own
The settlers began to develop Texas
largely on their own
Great Britain feared losing control
over the colonies and cracked down
Mexico feared losing control over
Texas and cracked down
Colonist fought for more
self-government
King George III denied the colonists
their rights
Unjust Ruler
Texans fought: to be a separate state
within Mexico or for independence from
Mexico
Santa Anna denied the settlers their
rights
Unjust Ruler
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Texas History
Fort Burrows
In 1835, tensions increased between Anglo Texans and the Mexican Government. Santa Anna, the
Mexican President, sought to strengthen the Mexican military presence in Texas. The Texans
responded by rebelling against Mexican authority.
The events of late 1835 and early 1836 still have an effect on people living in Texas. The
revolution altered the course of Texas History. Independence from Mexico later opened the door for
Texas to become part of the United States of America.
Time Line:
1835
June – Battle of Anahuac
1836
February – Battle of Alamo
October – Battle of Gonzales
March 2 – Texas Declaration Signed
November – Consultation
March – Goliad Massacre
December – Battle of San Antonio
April – Runaway Scrape
Main Idea:
Tensions mounted between Texas settlers and the Mexican government.
Fighting broke out at Gonzales.
Vocabulary –
Tejanos – Mexican/Texan that fought against Mexico ( mainly Santa Anna )
One of the most famous Tejanos – Juan Seguin
alcalde – Mexican official much like a mayor
Patriot - people that took part in the American Revolution or the Texas
Revolution
Setting the Scene:
His horse was exhausted. Still, the rider pushed ahead on this late-September day. He carried
urgent news to San Felipe de Austin. General Martin Perfecto de Cos had returned to Texas with
about 300 Mexican troops. He planned to arrest Texas leaders who opposed Santa Anna.
When Stephen Fuller Austin (SFA) and other leaders in San Felipe heard the news, they sprang
into action. To stop Cos, they needed an army. Notices appeared across the countryside: “ there must
be no half way measures,” they declared.
Mexican troops must leave Texas !!!!!!!!!!
The Battle of Gonzales - “ Come And Take IT “
۞ Mexican leaders in San Antonio lent a small cannon to the Texans in nearby
Gonzales
۞ The cannon, loaned four years earlier, was to be used to fight Comanches
۞ After an Anglo uprising at Anahuac, Colonel Domingo de Ugartechea decided to
reclaim the cannon; he did not want it to be used against the Mexicans
۞ September 1835, the Mexican leader in San Antonio, sent a small group of soldiers to Gonzales to
pick up the cannon. The alcalde of Gonzales, Andrew Ponton, buried the cannon in a peach orchard.
He told the Mexican troops he would not give up the cannon without a written order. One soldier rode
back to get the order.
۞ In response, Ugartechea sent 100 troops, led by Castaneda, to Gonzales. Ugartecha ordered them
to avoid a fight, if possible. Eighteen armed Texans held off the Mexican troops sent to retrieve the
cannon from Gonzales. They were known as the “Old Eighteen.”
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Texas History
Fort Burrows
۞ Due to the Guadalupe River being too high to cross to get into town, the Mexican troops moved
down river and camped for the night.
۞ The following day, more Texans arrived, 140, to assist them, including Jim Bowie and William
Travis. The Texans dug up the cannon and dared the Mexicans to “come and take it”. They used the
cannon to attack the Mexican troops in several small skirmishes.
۞ Castaneda met with Texan leader, John Moore. Moore stated they were prepared for revolution
against Mexico. The Mexicans retreated.
۞ The Battle of Gonzales is known as the “Lexington” of the Texas Revolution. Just as the Battle of
Lexington was the first battle of the American Revolution, the Battle of Gonzales was the first battle of
the Texas Revolution.
Texans fired the 1st Shots
The Texas Revolution had begun
1.
How was the Texas Revolution similar to the American Revolution ?
A. Texas and British colonists had the same culture as the rulers they fought
against
B. Texas and British colonists both wanted more self-government
C. Texas and British colonists fought for the same rights as citizens of the
countries that governed them
D. both revolutions took six years for the patriots to win
2.
The Battle of Gonzales is called the _________ of the Texas Revolution ?
A. Waterloo
B. Alamo
C. Alcalde
D. Lexington
3. In what other ways were the Texas Revolution and the American Revolution alike ?
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4. Why is the Battle of Gonzales known as the “Lexington” of the Texas Revolution ?
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