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Name
Class
GEOGRAPHY ACTIVITY
Date
Witherspoon FSMS Texas History
10
Rebellions in Mexico
The Fredonian Rebellion in late 1826, while not supported by most Texans, marked the
beginning of a series of rebellions against Mexican authority that would result in Texas
achieving independence from Mexico. Trouble erupted at Anahuac in 1831 after Mexico
strengthened its military presence and attempted to collect customs duties there. Texans
again fought at Anahuac when an American who served as the Mexican military commander arrested several Texans, including William B. Travis. Other Texans heading to
support those in Anahuac were engaged by the Mexican army at Velasco. In the fighting
that followed men on both sides were killed. Mexico’s military presence in Texas was
reduced then, as revolution broke out in Mexico, and Texas was quiet for a time. Study
the map and answer the questions that follow.
n de
Early Rebellions in Texas
Gra
N
W
Red Riv
United States
er
Rio
Menu
E
ve
r
i
er
R
os
Ri v
az
os
Department
of
Bexar
Department
of
Nacogdoches
Br
P ec
S
Nacogdoches
Washington
Fredonia
1826–27
Libreville
Department
of Brazos Anahuac Anahuac
Sites of Early Rebellions
San Antonio
R io
n
Gra
Mexico
Goliad
Velasco
1832
1832 and 1835
Galveston
Velasco
Matagorda
de
Gulf of
Mexico
0
0
125
125
250 Miles
250 Kilometers
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19
Geography Activities
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Name
Class
Witherspoon FSMS Texas History
Date
Geography Activity 10, continued
1. Which early rebellion occurred nearest to the U.S. border?
2. Why do you think that rebellions occurred near the coast?
3. In which department did the Battle of Velasco take place?
4. San Antonio was found in which Texas department?
5. Critical Thinking: Environment and Society Mexico came to fear the American
influence in Texas. Do the locations of these early rebellions seem to prove them
right?
ACTIVITY Use library resources or the Internet to learn about the Battle of Velasco.
Imagine that you are a reporter for the Texas Times newspaper in 1832. Write a headline
and a lead paragraph about the battle.
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20
Geography Activities
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Witherspoon FSMS Texas History
Chapter 6
Activity
Entries will vary but should reflect the challenges of moving to the Austin colony.
1. The heaviest concentrations of Hispanics
2.
3.
4.
5.
in Texas occur near the border with
Mexico.
San Antonio.
Nacogdoches, on the Camino Real, was
the entrance to Texas, and both Spain and
Mexico kept people and troops there.
Students might suggest that Texas bordered both the United States and Mexico,
making it attractive to settlers from both
countries.
Students might suggest that immigrants
tended to settle in those areas closest to
their origins. Spain and Mexico had little
success in persuading their populations to
move farther into Texas.
Chapter 9
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
F
T
F
T
T
Students might suggest that the Red River
area was easy to approach from parts of
the upper south.
Activity
Dialogues will vary but should reflect the different aspects of each group. Students should
demonstrate an understanding of the different
backgrounds of each settler.
Activity
Collages will vary but should convey some historical information about the chosen topic.
Chapter 10
Chapter 7
1. the Fredonian Rebellion
2. Students could write that the issues at
1. the La Bahia Road
2. at Point Bolivar
3. Students could say he might have expected
Anahuac included the attempt by Mexico
to collect customs duties. That would
naturally concern those who lived near
coastal ports.
3. the Department of Brazos
4. the Department of Bexar
5. Students might remember the Mier y
Tierán report, which claimed that the
nearer he came to the U.S. border, the more
American influence there seemed to be.
The fact that these rebellions were close to
U.S. soil appears to bear him out.
less resistance by avoiding main roads.
4. at San Antonio
5. Students might point out that the Spanish
had little presence in East Texas.
Activity
Students should think about filibuster activities in Texas and try to make plans as the
Spanish governor might to head them off.
Chapter 8
Activity
Students should learn about the Battle of
Velasco and write a headline and lead paragraph about it.
1.
2.
3.
4.
They traveled the Old San Antonio Road.
6
on the Brazos River
Students might say that it suggests there
were very few people living in that part of
Texas at the time.
5. The student might write that Spain
needed settlers in that part of its empire
and that they hoped to create a loyal population of citizens from the immigrants.
Chapter 11
1. north, south, east, and west
2. 10 miles
3. They are up on hills with the advantage of
elevation.
4. at least 3 miles
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72
Geography Activities