Unit 7 - The Texas Revolution

• Spain controlled Texas until 1821

• Empresarios came to America to get people to move to Texas, buy land, and farm.

• Stephen F. Austin and 300 families settled Texas and were called Texians

• The Mexican people who already live in Texas were called Tejanos

• The American settlers promised to not have slaves, pay taxes to the Mexican government, obey all Mexican laws, and convert to the Catholic religion. The Americans complained that the legal documents in Texas were in Spanish and wanted them in English.

• Santa Anna came to power and made himself dictator of Mexico and wanted to bring the Texians under control.

Texans Revolt Against Mexico

• Texans captured Gonzales, Goliad, and San Antonio along with their many cannons

• On March 2nd, 1836 Texas declared its independence and made Sam Houston its general

• Santa Anna marched an army of more than 6,000 to Texas and killed all 350 Texans at the Goliad fort and surrounded 190 Texans at the Alamo in San Antonio

• The Alamo was defended by Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis, and Juan Seguin all of whom were killed in the battle on the 13th day except Juan Seguin.

• The Mexican army spared no man and all the defenders were killed

• Sam Houston retreated back towards the United States where he was gaining more men and supplies

• Santa Anna had to split his army to keep up with Houston's army and was attacked near the San Jacinto River

• Sam Houston's army surprised Santa Anna near present day Houston, Texas and defeated his army in less than 20 minutes

• Santa Anna was captured after the Battle of San Jacinto and signed away the rights to Texas to save his life