1. Power, Authority and Change
Module 3
Power, Authority and Change

2. Conflicts and Mexican Independence

3. What were the causes of Mexico’s war for Independence?
Wide economic and social divisions between the rich and poor in New Spain
Political Corruption in Spain
Examples of other revolutions (America and Latin America)

4. Mexico Independence
(5 min)

5. Spain claimed Texas for 300 years but there had been little growth
Only 3 main settlements (San Antonio, Goliad, and Nacogdoches)
Spain had trouble attracting Spanish settlers
No gold, silver, too many natives, too remote
Ignored Texas

6. Mexico wins Independence
September 16,
1821 Mexican army defeats Spain
Independence is celebrated on September 16th
3 min

7. What was the effect on Texas?
“The (armies have) drained the resources of the country, and laid their hand on everything that could sustains [support] human life. [Texas] has advanced at an amazing rate toward ruin and destruction.”
Antonio Maria Martinez

8. Effect on Texas Many Tejanos fled or killed
Texas Native relations worsened
Texas economy ruined

9. Mexican rule

10. The Constitution of 1824

11. Formed state of Cohuila y Texas
Effect:
The capital was far from Texas
Hard for Texans to participate in state government
Some Texans were angered!

12. Gave states strong local control
Effect:
Local government could adjust to meet local needs (US settlers)
Local government became a mixture of US and Mexican practices

13. Roman Catholicism – the official religion
Effect:
Texans publically claimed to be Catholic but privately worshiped as they pleased

14. Mexican policies in Texas
Mexico’s new government had to decide which Spanish policies to continue in Texas
Began to secularize the Texas missions (move from religious control to civil control)
1831- all missions buildings and lands were placed under local control, given away or sold
Tejanos acquired most of the mission land

15. New settlement system
Mexico had to find a new system to replace the mission system
Wanted to populate Texas
Worried the Tejano population too small to protect Texas
Should they open Texas to US settlers?
Decided on the Empresario system

16. Venn Diagram - Compare the U.S. and Mexican Constitutions
As a class

17. The Road to Revolution

18. The Fredonian Rebellion
Haden Edwards (from Kentucky), empresario, had permission to bring 800 families near Nacogodoches.
Edwards found settlers living on the land.
He ordered them to show their land title or buy a new one from him. If not they would be thrown off land.

19. The settlers were MAD and complained to government.
Mexican government agreed with settlers and canceled Edwards’ land grant.

20. Result Edwards tried to lead a revolution.
Benjamin Edwards (brother) claimed East Texas as Independent Republic of Fredonia.
1826 rode into Nacogdoches and adopted the Fredonian Declaration of Independence.

21. Old Stone Fort

22. Results
Most Texans (Tejanos and US settlers) opposed the Fredonian Rebellion.
Stephen F. Austin called out militia
The rebels fled.
Small event but attracted a lot of attention!

23. Why the name Fredonian?
Fredonia was a named used in early America describing America as a place of freedom.

24. The U.S. meddles
US newspapers called it a revolt and blew it out of proportion.
US wanted to buy Texas and made several offers.
Mexico was offended! Suspected the US encouraged the Fredonian Rebellion.
Mexico was worried about US interference and sent troops to East Texas.

25. Mier y Teran Report
Mexico sent General Manuel de Mier y Teran to tour Texas and investigate conditions there.
Mier y Teran began his tour in Laredo in Travled to San Antonio, San Felipe de Austin and Nacogdoches.
Met with Stephen F. Austin and discussed the issues important to US settlers.
SFA expressed his loyalty to Mexico.

26. Mier y Teran

27. Mier y Teran Reports to Mexico
Anglo settlers influence in East Texas too strong.
Anglo settlers out number Mexican settlers 10-1.
Mexican government MUST act or lose Texas.

28. Mier y Teran Recommends
Increase trade with Texas and Mexico so the Texans won’t trade with US
More soldiers sent to Texas
Encourage more European and Mexican settlers to come to Texas

29. Law of April 6, 1830
Banned slavery in Mexico (Texas was exempt…for now)

30. Banned US immigration to Texas and made it illegal to bring more slaves to Texas

31. Taxed all US imports coming to Texas

32. Tejanos and Anglo Settlers were FURIOUS!
Mexico hoped the Law of April 6 would strengthen Mexican control of Texas
Tejanos and Anglo Settlers were FURIOUS!
Afraid the new laws would hurt the economy
US settlers mad that their families could not come to Texas

33. SFA’s response
SFA did not like the new law BUT tried to work with Mexican officials and encouraged settlers to obey
Austin realized that Texas-Mexico relations were BAD
This is the turning point!

34. Activity about Law of April 6, 1830
Write a letter to the governor of Cohuila Y Tejas protesting the new laws. It must include specific references to 3 of the articles from the Law of April 6, 1830.

35. Conflict at Anahuac More troops and more taxes!
Col. Bradburn arrested Patrick Jack and William B. Travis.
A small skirmish broke out.
Texas colonists needed more firepower and sent John Austin to Brazoria to bring back a cannon

36. While the colonists waited for John Austin and the cannon they adopted a number of statements known as the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.

37. Turtle Bayou Resolutions
Colonists declared their loyalty to Mexico.
Supported Santa Anna and his revolt in Mexico City against President Bustamante
Bustamante ignored the Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824 and this angered many
Santa Anna promised to support the Texan-favored constitution
Wanted the Mexican Constitution of 1824

38. Turtle Bayou Resolutions

41. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Fought with Spain against Mexican independence but switched sides in 1821
1832 led revolt and in 1833 was elected president
Promised to restore the Constitution of 1824 but did not!

43. Santa Anna becomes president in 1833
Texans are pleased!

44. Convention of 1832 and 1833 Met to discuss changes needed in Texas
58 delegated met in San Felipe
Stephen F. Austin was elected President of Convention

46. Convention of 1832 and 1833 Texas be made a separate Mexican state
US immigration be allowed
Exempt from import taxes
Public schools
Better protection from Native Americans
Land titles for settlers in East Texas

47. Never sent so they met again in 1833

48. Wrote a state constitution
Adopted the same resolutions
Stephen F. Austin was chosen to take the resolutions to Mexico City.

49. SFA in Mexico City Stephen F. Austin set out for Mexico City in 1833.
Mexico City was in turmoil. Santa Anna was not there and the cholera epidemic was sweeping the city.
SFA was hoping for a quick answer but had to wait for MONTHS

50. Cholera causes watery diarrhea, which leads to dehydration and death

51. Austin was frustrated and in October wrote a letter to the local government in San Antonio.
He advised them to organize a local government for Texas.

52. Santa Anna finally met with SFA
Santa Anna finally met with SFA. He agreed to allow US immigration and to lower taxes on US imports BUT he refused to allow Texas to become a separate state.
YES to most resolutions
NO to state government
WHY???

53. Austin left Mexico City on December 10, 1833
Austin left Mexico City on December 10, In January he was arrested in Saltillo.

54. Mexican officials read his letter and thought Austin challenged the Mexican government.
SFA was taken back to Mexico City and imprisoned for over a year without a trail.
What US amendment protects us from this?
He was released in 1835.

55. What is a revolution?
A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time. Aristotle described two types of political revolution:
Complete change from one constitution to another
Modification of an existing constitution

56. “War is our only recourse. There is not another remedy
“War is our only recourse. There is not another remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms.”
Stephen F. Austin

57. The call to war! Things did not improve in Texas.
Texans met to discuss their options in August 15, 1835
2 parties: Peace party and war party.
SFA agreed with war party- he was convince Santa Anna was a dictator.
What is a dictator?

58. OUTPUT You are at the convention with the Texans.
Would you join the peace party or the war party? Why?
Create a flyer to convince others to see your side. Include a picture representing the war or peace party. Include a title or slogan. Give 2 reasons for someone to join your party.

59. Texas Revolution

60. Gonzales October 2, 1835 Commanders: Mexican: Colonel Ugartechea
Texan: Colonel John H. Moore.

61. Ugartechea ordered the people of Gonzales to surrender the small brass cannon.
The Texans refused, buried the cannon in a peach orchard and waited for reinforcements.
The Texan forces dug up the canon and mounted it on the wagon.
They flew a white flag with the words “Come and Take It”
The Mexican forces arrived and faced 160 Texans

63. Fighting ensued and one Mexican soldier killed.
The Mexicans retreated.
The war has begun!

67. Ben Milam and San Antonio
Ben Milam led 300 men to attack General Cos in San Antonio.
Texans won and forced all Mexican troops out of Texas.

68. Texans believed with this win the war was over
Texans believed with this win the war was over. They thought they could form their own separate state within Mexico and under the Constitution of 1824.
BUT Santa Anna has other plans!!

70. The Battle of the Alamo Date: February 23, 1836 –March 6, 1836
Commanders:
Mexican: Santa Anna
Texan: Jim Bowie and William B. Travis

71. The Mexican Army moves
February 1836 Santa Anna led 6000 Mexican troops across the Rio Grande
Wanting revenge against the rebellious Texans, Santa Anna marched to San Antonio
General Jose Urrea led Mexican soilders across Matamoros towards Goliad

72. The Texas army was NOT prepared for the Mexican army.
Colonel James Neil had 100 troops in San Antonio.
Colonel James Fannin had 400 troops in Goliad.
General Sam Houston was VERY concerned! Texas army was UNPREPARED and DISORGANIZED!

73. Sam Houston “The Raven”
Born in Virginia
Veteran of the War of 1812
Elected to US Congress and Governor of Tennessee
Moved to Texas in 1832
Took control of Texan forces

74. Sam Houston recommended that the Alamo be destroyed and the artillery be removed.
James “Jim” Bowie disagreed. He thought the Alamo was too important.

75. He was in command of a volunteer force in San Antonio when William Travis arrived with regular army troops. The two men shared authority during much of the Siege of the Alamo, which caused some personal friction. But pneumonia disabled Bowie, and he was confined to his cot at the time of his death on March 6, 1836 at the Battle of the Alamo.
Jim Bowie

76. “The salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar [San Antonio] out of the hands of the enemy….Colonel Neil and myself have come to the solemn [serious] resolution that we will rather die in ditches than give them up to the enemy.”
James Bowie

77. Alamo Trailer

78. And so it begins….
On February 23, 1836, the arrival of General Antonio López de Santa Anna's army outside San Antonio nearly caught them by surprise. Undaunted, the Texans and Tejanos prepared to defend the Alamo together. The defenders held out for 13 days against Santa Anna's army.

80. Texas troops built up their defenses as the Mexican forces approached Texas.
As the Mexican troops marched into the city, the defenders, gathered food, ammunition, and other supplies from local citizens.
Santa Anna arrived and demanded surrender! The Texans replied with a cannon shot!

81. Santa Anna ordered a large blood-red flag be raised so the defenders within the Alamo could see it. This “no quarter flag” meant that Santa Anna would leave no survivors.

82. Slit throat- song of No Quarter, No Mercy

83. William B. Travis, the commander of the Alamo sent forth couriers carrying pleas for help to communities in Texas. On the eighth day of the siege, a band of 32 volunteers from Gonzales arrived, bringing the number of defenders to nearly two hundred.

84. William B. Travis
Born in S.C. and moved with his family to Alabama. He became an attorney and published a newspaper. In 1830 Travis left his family and headed for Texas. He got a land grant from SFA and set up a law practice. Travis became the commander at the Alamo. He was only 26 at the time of his death.

85. William B Travis

86. Commandancy of the Alamo Bexar, Feby 24th, 1836 To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World--
Fellow Citizens and Compatriots I am besieged with a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, and our flag still waves proudly over the wall. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, of everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and 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 and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due his honor and that of his country.
VICTORY OR DEATH
William Barret Travis Lt. Col. Comd't
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 & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

89. Flag flying at Alamo- what does it mean?

90. Legend holds that with the possibility of additional help fading, Colonel Travis drew a line on the ground and asked any man willing to stay and fight to step over — all except one did.

91. As the defenders saw it, the Alamo was the key to the defense of Texas, and they were ready to give their lives rather than surrender their position to General Santa Anna. Among the Alamo's garrison were Jim Bowie, renowned knife fighter, and David Crockett, famed frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee.

92. The final assault came before daybreak on the morning of March 6, 1836, as columns of Mexican soldiers emerged from the predawn darkness and headed for the Alamo's walls. Cannon and small arms fire from inside the Alamo beat back several attacks.

94. Regrouping, the Mexicans scaled the walls and rushed into the compound
Regrouping, the Mexicans scaled the walls and rushed into the compound. Once inside, they turned a captured cannon on the Long Barrack and church, blasting open the barricaded doors. The desperate struggle continued until the defenders were overwhelmed.

100. By sunrise, the battle had ended and Santa Anna entered the Alamo compound to survey the scene of his victory.

101. ????????????? Some sources say there were no survivors.
Some say 7 men including Davy Crockett survived and were executed by Santa Anna.
Either way on March 7 there were no Texans alive at the Alamo.

102. Susanna Dickinson with the other women and children were allowed to leave the Alamo.
Santa Anna also spared a slave named Joe.

103. After the fall….
Santa Anna had all Alamo defenders’ bodies (182) burned in pyres.
600 Mexican casualties were buried
Santa Anna believed the fall of the Alamo would convince Texans to surrender.
He was wrong.

104. Remember the Alamo became a battle cry and symbol to Texans that they must fight on at any cost!

106. Susana Dickinson Sole adult Anglo survivor of the Alamo.
Left with note from Santa Anna to Sam Houston.
Asked for and was denied $500 from new Texas government.
Was married 4 more times.

107. Juan Seguin Supported Texan’s rights to influence local law.
Volunteered for military service during the Revolution.
Served as a courier at the Alamo and led a Tejano unit at San Jacinto.
Rumored to have buried the ashes of the Alamo defenders.

108.
Two pyres were located in this area, one on either side of the "Alameda." Today the site is marked by a marble plaque, placed there by the De Zavala Chapter Texas Landmark Association.

109. Declaration activity

111. Texas Declares Independence
The Convention of 1836 was held at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1.
59 delegates including Sam Houston and Lorenzo de Zavala
They quickly declared independence on March 2, 1836 in an unanimous vote!
Some Tejanos disagreed with the call for independence.

113. Declaration of Independence
George Childress wrote most of the declaration of independence.
Used the US Declaration of Independence as a guide
Listed the complaints the settlers had against Santa Anna’s government
Mexico denied them many rights guaranteed under the Constitution of 1824

114. George Childress
Born and raised in Tennessee. In 1835 he volunteered for the Texas army. He called the convention of 1836 to order and wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence.

115. Lorenzo de Zavala
Served as a Mexican congressman and governor. In 1829 he received a land grant and settled 500 families in east Texas. He became involved in the Texas Independence movement in He played a key part in drafting the Constitution, was elected interim vice president and drafted the design for the first flag of Texas.

116. The Runaway Scrape
Houston was given full command of the army. He was short on troops, guns, ammunition, supplies and money!
Houston moved the army to Gonzales still not knowing of the Alamo. Upon hearing of the outcome and news that Santa Anna and 700 troops were on their way, Houston ordered a retreat.

117. Civilians packed their belongings as well and left.
Houston ordered the town of Gonzales burned so not to be used by the Mexican troops.
As word spread of the fate of the Alamo, many panicked and fled east.
They left their farms, homes and towns to avoid the Mexican army.
Heavy rains and flooding made the conditions worse.

118. Goliad Date: March 27 Commanders Mexican: General Urrea
Texan: James Fannin

119. Goliad
Colonel Fannin and his 400 troops were surrounded by General Urrea outside Goliad.
Fannin surrendered. He was outnumbered. The Texans were held at Goliad for a week.
Urrea was ordered by Santa Anna to execute the 400 Texans on March 27.

120. The Massacre
The Texans were not told of their fate. They were marched unarmed into a field and then fired upon.
Some of the Texans escaped.
The Angel of Goliad- Francita Alvarez helped many escape.

121. James Fannin

122. San Jacinto Date: April 21, 1836 Commander Mexican: Santa Anna
Texan: Sam Houston

123. San Jacinto Houston began to prepare his army now almost 1200.
He began retreating east toward the Brazos River. MANY criticized him but he ignored them.
Houston trained and drilled his soldiers. They increased their weapons (many from the US)

124. The Battle The Mexican Army was exhausted from marching and fighting.
Houston led about 900 troops including Juan Seguin’s Tejano unit.
Yelling “Remember the Alamo!” “Remember Goliad!” they attacked.
The battle last 18 minutes.
9 Texans died but 630 Mexicans were dead.

126. Santa Anna disappeared but was later found hiding in the marsh dressed as a regular solider.
Houston would not allow Santa Anna to be killed.
WHY???
We needed him to recognize Texas independence so the war and all future wars would be over!

127. The Battle Flag captured from Santa Anna
Primary
Source
Adventures:
The Battle of
San Jacinto
Battle Flag said to have been captured from Santa Anna at San Jacinto.
52.07cm x cm Star of the Republic Museum.
University of North Texas Libraries

128. April 21, 1836 Texans won their independence from Mexico in one of the most decisive victories in History!

130. “Santa Anna … announced his formal surrender in Spanish...
Major Bryan, then a youth of 19 and a soldier in the Texas Army, acted as interpreter.”
Primary
Source
Adventures:
The Battle of
San Jacinto
Kittrell, Norman G. (Norman Goree),
The Battle-Field of San Jacinto : An Historical Sketch. Houston, Texas. The Portal to Texas History.
University of North Texas Libraries