STUDIES WEEKLY: Article 3: The Spark of Revolutionon

Article 3: The Spark of Revolution

In 1835, General Santa Anna took
complete control of the Mexican
government and assumed the role of
dictator. A dictator is a leader who has
all of the power to run a government.
He abolished the Mexican Constitution
of 1824, which guaranteed the rights of
citizens and defined the powers of the
government. He also disbanded the
state legislatures. This angered the
people of Texas and other Mexican
states. The Mexican states of
Zacatecas and Yucatán openly
rebelled against Santa Anna, but he
quickly crushed the opposition in the
rebellious states through military force

Multiple Choice

True or false A dictator is a leader who has no power to run a government

• False

• True

Meanwhile, Stephen F. Austin remained
imprisoned in Mexico. He was released in July
1835 and rushed back to Texas. He advocated for
Texas’s independence, even if it meant going to
war with Mexico. By September 1835, war
between Texas and Mexico was inevitable. The
spark of war was lit when Mexican officials
removed a cannon from the city of Gonzales.
Mexico gifted the cannon to the city to protect the citizens against American Indian attacks. The
government now feared that the people of
Gonzales would use the cannon against the
Mexican Army.

Multiple Choice

What event started the war between Texas and Mexico?

• Mexican officials removed a cannon.

• Mexican soldiers raided Texas leaders.

• The Texian Army took over Mexican City.

Three hundred Mexican troops were
sent to retrieve the cannon from the
city. They were also told to avoid a
fight. When the citizens of Gonzales
learned Mexican soldiers were coming,
messengers rode to nearby
settlements to ask for help. On the
morning of Oct. 2, 1835, 140 Texans
attacked the Mexican soldiers in the
first battle of the revolution. They
proudly waved a flag displaying a
cannon and the words “Come and take
it!”

Multiple Choice

How many Mexican Soldiers were sent to retrieve cannon?

• 200

• 300

• 400

• 333

Multiple Choice

What phrase was used during the first battle?

• "We can do it!"

• "For the Republic!”

• "Come and take it!"

During a break in the fighting, the commanding officers from both sides met. The Mexican officer explained he wanted more freedom for Texas. He was invited to join the Texans, but refused and the fighting continued. The Mexican army finally withdrew and the Texans kept their cannon.

Fighting continued about 60 miles south of Gonzales in
the city of Goliad. On Oct. 9, a group of Texan
volunteers attacked Mexican forces stationed at
Presidio La Bahia near the city. After 30 minutes of
fighting, the Texans took control of the presidio.
Following the Battle of Goliad, the Texian Army was
formed. Stephen F. Austin was named commander of
the new army.

Austin marched his army toward San Antonio to secure the city. He divided his
forces to surround the town, presidio, and the Alamo mission. He gave command of these smaller divisions to James Bowie, Juan N. Seguín, and James W. Fannin, Jr. On Oct. 28, Mexican troops attacked Austin’s forces. Although they were
outnumbered, the Texans defended their position near the town of Concepcion and
forced the Mexican troops to retreat.

Jim Bowie Juan Seguin James W Fannin

The Texian Army fought another major battle in 1835. The Texans were
victorious at the Battle of Concepción, which took place near Mission
Concepción in San Antonio. Despite their victory, they were unable to secure
the city of San Antonio. In December 1835, Texian troops attacked San
Antonio and the surrounding areas. For four days, the Texans besieged San
Antonio. On the morning of Dec. 9, the Mexican army surrendered the town
and Alamo mission and retreated south. This was a decisive victory for the
Texian Army.

Battles of the Texas Revolution

Multiple Choice

True or False:

The Mexican army surrendered the town and Alamo mission and retreated south. This was a decisive victory for the Texian Army.

• True

• False