Texas Revolution Notes

• Who was Texas originally settled by?

  Native Americans (lived there for thousands of years)
• What country claimed the territory in the 1500s? Why did they eventually decide to settle Texas?

  Spain; to protect the territory from French settlement in the 1600s
• What did the Spanish build throughout Texas? Why? Why was it unsuccessful?

  They built Christian missions to "educate and civilize" the Native Americans. Native Americans disliked the Spanish and refused to participate
• In 1800, how many settlements did Spain have in Texas?


  Only three settlements, not much interest in Texas
• Who made the deal with Spain to colonize Texas? What happened to him? Who had to take over?

  Moses Austin, who died shortly after the deal. The deal was in exchange for land. His son Stephen took over. Austin had over 300 families in his colony.
• How long did it take him to build a successful colony?

  Four years
• What happened to Mexico in 1821? What did Mexico want to do with Texas?

  Gained independence from Spain; wanted to increase settlement in Texas
• What are empresarios?


  People like Stephen Austin who recruited settlers
• What was the population of Texas in 1830? How many colonies are there?

  30,000 settlers and 12 established colonies
• Who are the Tejanos?

  Native Texans who are of Spanish or Mexican heritage
• What are the five Mexican laws the settlers of Texas had to follow?

  1. Swear allegiance to Mexico
  2. Give up US citizenship
  3. Adopt Roman Catholicism as their religion
  4. Stay on their land for 7 years
  5. No slavery
• Why did many settlers not follow the Mexican laws?

  Most of them were Americans who lived by American rules
• What does Mexico do to force settlers to obey their laws?

  Mexico bans American immigration to Texas in 1830
• Why did Mexico feel the U.S. wanted to acquire Texas?

  Originally part of the Louisiana Purchase. They offered to buy a large portion for $1 million, but their offer was rejected
• Why did Texas want to become independent from Mexico?

  They were unhappy with Mexican laws
• Who was the Mexican President? How did he respond?


  Antonio de Padua Maria Serverino Lopez de Santa Anna y Perez de Lebron ("Santa Anna"). He responded with war.
• What is the name of the meeting the Texans have to draw up the new government? Who do they choose as their leader? Who is he?

  The Constitution. Sam Houston was the leader, a senator from Tennessee, was asked to raise an army
• What was the Alamo originally? What was it turned into?

  A captured abandoned mission. A fortress protected by 21 cannons
• How many troops does Santa Anna bring to the Alamo? How many Texans are there?

  6,000 troops, approximately. 250 Texan soldiers
• Who is in charge of the Alamo? Who is there to assist him?

  William Travis, Davy Crockett there to assist
• How long was the Battle at the Alamo? What resulted? Why was the Battle of the Alamo important?

  It lasted for 12 days, and all of those fighting for Texas were killed. It distracted the Mexican Army, and while that was occurring, Sam Houston assembled a larger army at San Jacinto
• What is the Goliad? What happened there?

  A prisoner of war camp. Santa Anna's men massacred all 340 prisoners of war
• What does Sam Houston have planned for the Mexican army at San Jacinto?


  A surprise ambush (strategically placed soldiers and cannons)
• What are the results at San Jacinto? What happens to Santa Anna?

  Texas forced Mexicans to surrender. 800 of the 1200 Mexicans were killed or wounded. 9 out of 900 Texans were killed or wounded. Santa Anna escaped
• What is Santa Anna forced to do? What are the terms of this treaty?

  Santa Anna is caught, and he is forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco. The terms were that Mexico had to withdraw its troops and recognize the independence of Texas. The treaty ended the war