Prelude to Unrest in Coahuila y Tejas

1821

1823 Mexico adopts a Federal form of government Mexico
reaffirms empresario contracts

1824 Mexico adopts the Federal Constitution of 1824 Texas and
Coahuila are joined together as the state of Coahuila y Tejas
Immigration Law of 1824 is passed under Iturbide.

1829 Centralist revolt overthrows Federalist government, touching
off civil war
Mexico declares independence from Spain
1829
General Manuel Mier y Terán inspects Tejas and warns the
government of a problem
Main points state that:
They Become Mexican Citizens
Speak Spanish
Actively Cultivate the Land
Covert to Catholicism
Factors Contributing to the Rebellious uprising in Coahuila y Tejas
Immigration
Spain needed colonists for its northern frontier.
Mexico continued Spain's colonization policy.
Colonization was carried out by empresarios, or land agents.
U.S. citizens were recruited by empresarios.
The success of the colonization threatened Mexico's hold over Texas.
Ideology
The American Revolution sparked a world-wide republican movement.
The old monarchial system was challenged by radical new ideas.
Revolutions occurred in France and throughout the Americas.
Not everyone favored radical change.
Conflicts broke out between those wanting change and those wanting to
maintain the existing social order.
In Mexico, those wanting change were called Federalists and those
wanting to maintain the status quo were called Centralists.
Federalist support tended to be strongest in frontier regions like Texas.
Native born Federalist in Texas had much in common ideologically with
immigrants from the United States.
Economic Factors
Mexico retained Spain's colonial system of restrictive trade.
Official ports-of-entry were at Veracruz and Acapulco.
Official trade was conducted through Mexico City.
Regions distant from Mexico City resented extra time and taxes imposed
on them.
The system promoted political discontent and smuggling.
Texas historically looked to Louisiana for cheaper goods.
Economic ties reinforced the bond with American colonists.
Texas drew American colonists because public land in the U.S. cost $1.25
per acre while land in Texas could be obtained for 12 cents per acre.
Footer of page 119
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Arms in defiance of the national constitution. We appealed to our Mexican
brethren for assistance: our appeal has been in vain; though months have
elapsed, no
The Mexican government fearing upheaval in Tejas passes on April 6
1830, Anglo-American Immigration: The April 6, 1830 Law
The Rebellious uprising in Coahuila y Tejas

1832
Santa Anna backs a Federalist counter revolution
Colonists in Texas confront Centralist garrison at Anahuac
Colonists adopt Turtle Bayou Resolutions supporting Santa
Anna
Colonists meet to discuss their concerns over lack of input on
government

1833

1834 Santa Anna returns to office to stop V.P. Gómez Farías'
liberal reforms
C. y T. legislators split Texas into 3 departments increasing
Federalist control
Austin released from jailed but not allowed to leave Mexico
City
Santa Anna disbands the existing Mexican Congress and forms
a new one
C. y T. declares Santa Anna's action illegal, announcing its
opposition to
him
Federalists and Centralists in C. y T. divide into armed camps

1835
Mexican Congress elects Santa Anna president
Santa Anna retires to his estate and allows his vice-president
to govern
Colonists reconvene and send Austin to Mexico City to ask
for statehood
Austin is arrested for anti-government activities and jailed C.
y T. legislators vote to move state's capitol from Saltillo to Monclova
Federalist revolts break out in several Mexican states
Santa Anna and Cos crush revolt in Zacatecas
Colonists in Texas confront Centralist garrison at Anahuac
once more
Santa Anna sends Cos to put down revolt in Coahuila y Tejas
Governor of C. y T. changes capitol to Béxar but is captured
by Cos
Austin is allowed to return to Texas and calls for revolt against
Centralists
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Cos issues arrest warrants for rebel leaders and tries to disarm
Texans
Fighting breaks out on October 2 at Gonzales over "Come
Take It" gun
Centralist Congress announce plan to convert states into
"departments"
and produce a new constitution along the
Centralist model
Austin leads "Army of the People" to San Antonio de Béxar
The Consultation calls for restoration of Federal Constitution
of 1824
Cos and his garrison under siege throughout November
Texans force Cos to surrender Béxar but allow him and his
army to leave
Brief Chronology of Events Concerning The Alamo
October 9, 1835 - General Martín Perfecto de Cos arrives at San Antonio de
Béxar, bringing the number of Centralist forces in the town to approximately
1,200
October-November 1835 - Texian forces gather outside San Antonio de
Béxar - Centralist troops fortify the town, including the Alamo
October 28, 1835 - Texians defeat Centralists in skirmish near Mission
Concepcion
November 26, 1835 - Texians capture pack train bringing forage for Cos'
cavalry
December 4, 1835 - Colonel Benjamin R. Milam rallies Texians for an
assault on Cos' garrison in San Antonio de Béxar
December 5-10, 1835 - Battle of Béxar rages as Texians fight their way into
town - Cos surrenders his army, which is then paroled
December 21, 1835 - Colonel James C. Neill receives orders to take
command at San Antonio de Béxar - garrison consists of about 100 men
January 19, 1836 - Colonel James Bowie arrives to investigate the military
situation for governor Henry Smith and General Sam Houston
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February 2, 1836 - Bowie and Neill vow ". . . we will rather die in these
ditches than give it up to the enemy." Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis
arrives with 30 men
February 8, 1836 - Former Congressman David Crockett arrives in San
Antonio de Béxar with 12 volunteers
February 14, 1836 - Travis and Bowie agree to share command at San
Antonio de Béxar after Colonel Neill received a temporary leave of absence
February 23, 1836 - Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Centralist
forces arrive and the Siege of the Alamo begins
March 1, 1836 - Constitutional Convention at Washington on the Brazos.
Texans are undecided on what to do next and break into factions?
March 2, 1836 - Texas declares independence on March 2.
March 6, 1836 - The Alamo falls in a predawn assault
March6 1836 - The Alamo reoccupied by Centralist forces
March 1836 Santa Anna reorganizes is army and makes the fatal mistake
of splitting the commands under Filisola, Cos, and Castrillion.
News of the Alamo's fall sets off the "Runaway Scrape"
Houston withdraws his forces eastward
Fannin's command is executed by Santa Anna on March 27 in
Goliad
Provisional government of Texas caught up in the exodus to the east
Houston defeats the Mexican vanguard at San Jacinto on April 21
Santa Anna is captured on April 22
Santa Anna and Texas officials sign the Treaty of Velaso on May 14
May-June1836 - Centralist forces are ordered out of Texas following Santa
Anna's capture at the Battle of San Jacinto - the Alamo's fortifications are
destroyed by the Centralist garrison
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