American Revolution Begins

The Revolution Begins

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: Why is the Battle of Gonzales important in Texas history?

Multiple Choice

The Texas Revolution is very similar to what revolution?

• The Mexican Revolution against Spain

• The American Revolution against Great Britain

• The Mexican American War against Mexico

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is not a reason why SFA and Anglo Texans (Texians) decided to prepare for war?

• Santa Anna became a dictator

• Their rights, as promised in the Constitution of 1824, were violated.

• Texians just wanted to have fun and be wild.

​What do we see in this image? List 3 things in your notes.

​​Texas Grows Angrier

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In the 1830’s Mexico’s president, Antonio Lopes de Santa Anna, began taking control away from the people of Texas. Coahuila y Texas was no longer permitted to make its own laws and policies. President Santa Anna ordered Mexican troops and tax collectors to Texas. Against the Constitution of 1824, those who broke the law were arrested and sent to prison without a trial. When famous empresario, Stephen F. Austin, returned from his imprisonment in Mexico, he told his followers to prepare for war.

​​The Battle of Gonzales

The first shots of the Texas Revolution were fired on October 2, 1835, in the town of Gonzales. In an effort to take complete control of Texas, the Mexican government demanded that settlers give up their cannons. In Gonzales, American settlers not only refused to give up their cannon, they buried it. They dared Mexicans to “come and take it.” Americans also removed the ferry, or boat, for transporting people, from the Guadalupe River to keep Mexican soldiers from entering Gonzales and taking the cannon. During the Battle of Gonzales, at least one Mexican soldier died. No Texans lost their lives during the battle. Accepting defeat, Mexican soldiers returned to San Antonio. There was no turning back for Texans. The Texas Revolution had begun.

Multiple Choice

What was the first battle of the Texas Revolution?

• Battle of the Alamo

• Battle of Goliad

• Battle of Gonzales

• Battle of San Jacinto

Open Ended

What was the phrase, Texians used during the Battle of Gonzalez?

​​The Texas Army

The rebels—Texans against the Mexican government—chose Stephen F. Austin to be their leader. Austin’s army included about 100 Mexicans who were against President Santa Anna’s government. Erasmo Seguín, a well-known politician and head postmaster of San Antonio, supported separating the states of Coahuila and Texas. Seguin joined Stephen Austin’s troops and fought with the rebels. By the end of October 1835, Austin’s army had only grown to about 600 soldiers who were in need of training and weapons. Before his troops could attack, Stephen Austin needed to build up his own cavalry—soldiers who fought on horseback. He also needed to establish a safe defensive position outside of San Antonio.

Poll

Do you think the Texas Army is prepared to fight this war?

• Yes! They do not have much but they are feisty.

• Absolutely not! 600 soldiers only!!!