History 2053 Chapter 6 Study Guide

Know details about the Washington-on-the-Brazos convention. Who was there? What did they do? When?

-Temporary government created -59 delegates (nearly half in Texas for less than 2 years) -José Antonio Navarro and José Francisco Ruiz the only native Texans -Meeting held while Alamo under siege -George C. Childress wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence, which enumerated the violations of the Constitution of 1824 -named Houston commander in chief of the entire TX army -wrote a constitution for republic of TX -chose leaders of an interim gov. March 1, 1836

What role did Juan Seguin, Sam Houston, Cos, and Santa Anna play at San Jacinto?

Houston -leading commander Santa Anna -divided his forces in a three-pronged attack Cos -Houston learned that General Martin Perfecto de Cos had crossed over Vince's Bridge with reinforcements. Houston ordered Erastus "Deaf" Smith to destroy the bridge-a move that prevented further swelling of Mexican ranks, and likewise prevented retreat by both the Mexican and Texan armies. Juan Seguin

Know details about the military occupation

-Cos believed that military ocupation was the only way to bring TX under control -But he knew they would resist -Mexico wanted them to arrest some leading troublemakers like Travis -TX response was to call an "Consultation" -Strategy: "secure peace if it is to be obtained on constitutional terms, and to prepare for war—if war is inevitable" -Unification of settlers against Santa Anna's centrist turn and his suppression of Zacatecas

Who was Ben Milam---what part did he play in the revolution?

-Had served with those who took Goliad earlier -"Who will follow old Ben Milam into San Antonio?" -300 men said, "I will." Texians & Tejanos -December 5th attack begins -Enter almost to the central square before discovery -Fight from house to house -Milam and his men gain control -Milam killed

Why is the story of the Alamo so significant?

-Loss woke up Texans who had been ambivalent. -Stirred up the passions of Americans. -Weakened Santa Anna's army -Symbolic rallying cry for the revolution -Washington-on-the-Brazos convention declared independence on March 2 as the defenders were holding off Santa Anna -A CLEAR purpose emerged.

Know details of the Texas Constitution

-Modeled after U.S. Constitution, but restricted the power of government -included a Declaration of Rights -Prohibition on imprisonment for debt -Guaranteed that slaves would remain slaves and future emigrants could bring slaves -Prohibited free blacks without approval of Congress -Interim government at Washington-on-the-Brazos

What happened at San Jacinto? Who were the leaders (on both sides)? What were their tactics? Who won? Who lost?

-News of the fall of the Alamo reaches Sam Houston on March 11 at Gonzales -Realized Goliad was open for attack -Told Fannin to fall back to Victoria -Fannin delayed his retreat -Santa Anna approaching Gonzales with 5,000 men -Santa Anna has three-pronged attack planned -where one army swings north -and the other army moves along the coast -The main force moves directly into Anglo settlements (with Santa Anna) -Santa Anna expected little resistance -Houston saw the error of defending fixed positions so he decided to fall back -Many refugees trying to escape fighting, etc. (called the runaway scrape) -Fixed Positions=Criticism -Colorado River confrontation-opportunity to attack -Houston refused -Burnham's Crossing—Panic—Runaway Scrape -In a huge misunderstanding, Fannin believed their lives would be spared -Marched out on Palm Sunday and executed---almost 350 Fannin also executed -Santa Anna moves south across the Brazos -Houston moves south too and discovers 2 cannons (Twin Sisters) -Santa Anna burns Harrisburg then turns north to cross the San Jacinto River -The Mexican army failed to capture government officials -Houston began to stalk Santa Anna's army -Captured documents show where the army is headed. -Houston seizes the opportunity; "Remember the Alamo!" -Houston's men sheltered in the woods -Santa Anna's men must cross open prairie -The 'Twin Sisters' discourage approach by the Mexican army -Undisciplined troops disobey Houston's orders and draw fire from Mexican army -April 21 - ATTACK -1350 Mexicans—900 Texans -Different factions tell different stories -No line of retreat -Juan Seguin in the fight -630 Mexican soldiers killed—730 captured -8 Texans die -Santa Anna captured -Houston believed Santa Anna worth more alive than dead -Forced him to sign an armistice

What happened in Gonzales?

-October 1835, fighting began in the town of Gonzales -The Cannon was loaned from Mexico -Mexican soldiers arrive to take it back (Castañeda) -Soldiers delayed by high water in Guadalupe River -Texican Volunteers (150) came to defend the cannon during the Mexican armies delay -Texians made a flag saying, "Come and Take it" -Brief skirmish—Castañeda retreated because he was outnumbered & had no orders to engage in battle -The "point of no return" -Texas won

Know details about Juan Seguin.

-Tejano that acted as guides and scouts, giving the Texians the "eyes" they could not have had otherwise, TX side -this happened during the march toward Gonzales and with larger force (texas) -helped Austin deciding against a frontal assault against the large number of Mexicans

Know details about the Alamo---not just the final battle. What led up to it? How was it part of the Texans' strategy? Mexico's strategy?

-Texan forces under 600 men in February 1836 -Santa Anna descending on Texas with 2000 men -Santa Anna's first objective: THE ALAMO -Texans had obtained 19 cannons to defend the Alamo -Bowie convinced the Alamo should be held -Did not expect Santa Anna's army so soon -Residents leave San Antonio -Travis send requests for reinforcements -Only 150 men, not enough men to protect it -They expected reinforcements to arrive -Bowie too ill—Travis in control -No mercy from Santa Anna -Red flag raised at San Fernando Cathedral, Texians must surrender unconditionally -Systematically, breaking down the walls of the fort -Moving closer each day -The men still in the Alamo knew they were going to die, decided to stay and fight (only Louis Rose refused to stay) -Before dawn -Travis was one of the first to die. -Walls penetrated -Texans withdraw to the chapel -Mexicans used cannons to blast the walls -Bonham died near a cannon near the rear of the church. -Bowie died in his bed. -Fighting ended—seven men captured (Davy?) -Santa Anna orders their execution -"Hacked them to pieces" -Bodies were burned -Travis's slave Joe survived—some women too -Left to tell the story What led up to it? General Cos's humiliating loses made Santa Anna want revenge, the Alamo was important to Texans, gain control over TX -TX strategy: none, made because they thought they could hold it, Surrender not an option, die before running! -MX strategy: none, revenge

What were the different styles of fighting on each side?

-Texans accustomed to the wooded terrain -many from East Texas, used it to their advantage -long rifle range -used the steep, tree-lined river bank as a breastwork -Mexicans more familiar with open country -did not charge the trees, but relied on cavalry.

Who was General Cos? What was his relation to Santa Anna?

-commander of the Eastern Internal Provinces -Santa Anna's brother-in-law

What was Austin doing at this time?

-had joined the volunteers to fight at Gonzales (at the urging of several leaders) and had been elected commander

Know details about Jim Bowie and James Fannin.

-in command during the Battle of Concepcion -disregarded orders to return quickly -General Cos learned about their detachment and attacked them -TX prepared & deliberate in their attack because they knew they had less man & less ammunition -TX lost one person -devastating hit to Mexico

Know details about James Bonham

-made it from Gonzales to the Alamo with 32 other men -rode in during broad daylight -was a lawyer in SC had been jailed for contempt of court when he caned opposing counsel for insulting his female client -brought the news that the men from Goliad would not be coming to help the men at the Alamo

What was the Consultation?

-was expected to determine a course of action & set up a gov. -Austin asked for each districts to send reps -San Felipe on November 1, 1835 -The established Anglo leaders -Various factions -Ambiguous position "not impulsive or extreme" -Faithful to the Mexican Constitution of 1824, but the right to create an independent government -Austin to Washington--seek U.S. support Outcome: 1. structured a gov. and an army that could easily degenerate into anarchy 2. removed a key force for stability by sending SFA to seek support in the US

According to the text, what were the major causes of the revolution?

1. Anglo Americans populated a MX province, maintained a distinct ethnic & cultural identity and had little/no loyalty to MX 2. Texians and Tejanos came to believe that the central gov. did not recognize or support their intersts 3. Santa Anna's move to centralism & Generol Cos demanding military occupation & a new system -Protection of slavery was PART of it -Racism was PART -Distance from central government PART of it

What were Santa Anna's political leanings at this time (centrist of federalist)?

Centralist

What was in Travis's letter?

Fellow citizens and compatriots; I am besieged, by 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 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, and 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 and 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 to his own honor and that of his country. VICTORY or DEATH. William Barret 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

How did Travis participate in the growing revolt?

Travis, the leader in the original Anahuac distrubances, raised an army of volunteer (25 to 50) & went to Anahuac and forced Tenorio to surrender