1. The Texas Revolution

2. Battle of Gonzales – victory for Texas
First battle of the Texas Revolution – October 2, 1835
Mexican forces were ordered to take brass cannon from the town of Gonzales to San Antonio. The Texans refused to give up the cannon. They attacked the Mexicans and the battle ended quickly.
First significant challenge of Texas forces to Mexican control
A few days later, Texans defeated another group of Mexican soldiers at Goliad – October 9, 1835

3. The Alamo – General Cos Victory for Texas
General Cos was Santa Anna’s brother in law.
Texans defeated a strong Mexican force under the command of General Cos.
The battle lasted 5 days.
General Cos was forced to surrender to the Texans – December 5-10, 1835
General Cos promised to never raise arms against Texans again.
Texans thought war was over.

4. The Alamo – Santa Anna Victory for Mexico
Sam Houston ordered James Bowie to remove ammunition from the Alamo and destroy it.
Bowie defied Houston's orders and prepared to defend the position with 150 volunteers. Reinforcements brought the number to between 182 and 188 men. Santa Anna's forces of approximately 6,000 soldiers arrived February 23rd.
Date of the battle at the Alamo -> February 23 – March 6, 1836
Fighting lasted days
Instead of symbolizing Mexican strength, the fall of the Alamo represented Texas fortitude.
All were killed at the Alamo except the women and children.
Susanna Dickenson - One of the few survivors of the Alamo -> The most quoted eyewitness source to the final and subsequent events surrounding the Alamo
“Remember the Alamo!” became the battle cry.
Convention of 1836 took place at the same time while fighting was taking place at the Alamo.
Declared Texas independent of Mexico
Texas Declaration of Independence approved on March 2, 1836
Next, they wrote the Constitution of 1836

5. The Travis Letter
Commandancy of the Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World
Fellow Citizens & compatriots
     I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat.  Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.  If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death.
William Barrett Travis.
Lt.  Col. comdt.
P. S.  The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis

7. Goliad Massacre – Victory for Mexico
Santa Anna had over 300 more Texans executed at Goliad.
Date of the Goliad Massacre -> March 27, 1836
“Remember Goliad!” – became a battle cry

8. Battle at San Jacinto – Victory for Texas
Texan general, Sam Houston gathered more troops, 800 in all.
It included Tejanos, American settlers, volunteers from the United States, and many free and enslaved African Americans.
They met Santa Anna at San Jacinto.
Their battle cry was, “Remember the Alamo!”
It was over in 18 minutes. More than half the Mexican army was killed.
Date of the battle of San Jacinto -> April 21, 1836
Santa Anna was forced to sign a treaty giving Texas its freedom. With the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas was now an independent country.

9. Battle of San Jacinto Geography played a role in the Texas victory:
Texans’ battle line formed down the San Jacinto River, protected by the swamp and dense grove oak trees
Mexicans abandoned high ground and took position behind a ridge line that kept them from seeing the Texans’ battle line; marsh and water to their back
Houston ordered Vince’s Bridge destroyed, cutting off Santa Anna's route to escape through the bayous
Mexican escape route also blocked by San Jacinto River and Peggy Lake

10. Treaty of Velasco, May 14, 1836
Treaty gives Texas it’s independence also boundary between Mexico and Texas established
Features of the treaty:
Rio Grande would be the Southern border of Texas
Mexico argues that it is the Nueces River
Mexico would never invade Texas again -> Fighting was to end – Public Treaty
Mexico would recognize Texas as an independent nation – Private Treaty
Santa Anna promised to sign a trade agreement with Texas