Ch.6, Lesson1: The Revolution Begins

Convention of 1836

Also called the second meeting of the Consultation. It was held at Washington on the Brazos. Texan leaders: 1. declared Texas independent from Mexico on March 2, 1836. 2.formed a new government called the Republic of Texas 3. wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence, which was based on the U.S. Constitution

Reasons why Texans were unhappy with Mexican rule

1. Stephen F. Austin had been held prisoner by the Mexicans, he ws released in 1835 2. Santa Anna wanted the Texans to pay taxes on goods brought into Texas from the United States (he wanted the Texans to trade with Mexico) 3. The Texans wanted Santa Anna to follow the Mexican Constitution of 1824 and give them their rights, instead they felt he was demanding more power than the Constitution allowed

Consultation of 1835

After the battle n San Antonio, other Texans met in San Felipe in 1835 (Consultation) to: 1.discuss whether they wanted to stay loyal to Mexico or declare their independence from Mexico 2.create a temporary Texas government with Henry Smith as governor and Sam Houston as commander of the army Because they had no money to pay soldiers in an army, the group agreed to met again in March of 1836 (after Sam Houston had raised money in the U.S.) to discuss plans to fight Santa Anna. Meanwhile by February of 1836, Santa Anna had already crossed the Rio Grande of his way to San Antonio

Temporary government for the Republic of Texas

Because the new Republic of Texas was at war with Mexico, and there was no time to hold elections to choose leaders, the leaders at Washington on the Brazos set up a temporary government including a president (David G. Burnet) and vice-president (Lorenzo de Zavala)

Why African Americans petitioned against the Texas Bill of rights?

Greenbury Logan and 21 other African Americans who were fighting with the Texans against Mexico petitioned for a change in the Texas Bill of Rights. They felt the Bill took away their rights as already free people to vote, gave them no rights, and forced them to get the governments permission to stay in Texas. The writers of the Bill refused to change anything.

Goliad

On October 9, 1835 this town saw the 2nd battle between the Texans and the Mexican army at a Mexican fort in the town. Texans who wanted to protect the people of the town attacked the fort, and defeated the Mexican army

Texas Declaration of Independence

Signed March 2, 1836 at the Washington on the Brazos Convention, it was based on the U.S. Declaration of Independence, contained: 1. why Texans wanted their independence from Mexico 2. listed the problems Texans had with Mexican rule such as no freedom of religion and no rights to a jury trial, nor the right to petition the government for change.

March on San Antonio

about 300 Texan troops commanded by Stephen F. Austin gather in Gonzales to plan their attack on San Antonio. Many Tejanos, such as Juan Seguin joined in the Texas army. 300 Texan soldiers vs. General Cos and the Mexican army of 1,100 men. Austin picked James Bowie,James Fannin and 90 Texan to find a safe spot for the Texans to camp near San Antonio. They were attacked by 275 Mexican soldiers, but the Texans won the fight. The rest of the Texas army arrived led by Ben Milam said, "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?" 300 more Texans came to fight in response to his call. In December of 1835-Texan troops attack San Antonio and win the battle, Ben Milam dies, and Mexican army returns to Mexico, so victory for the Texans! The Texans hoped the fighting was over, but Santa Anna had other plans..

Texas Constitution of 1836

as an independent nation, Texas needed it's own Constitution. Just like the U.S. Constitution, it created 3 branches of government and had a Bill of Rights for Texans

Texas Independence Day

celebrated on March 2nd, this is the day the leaders voted for the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico

Gonzales

on October 2, 1835 this town saw the 1st battle between the Texans and the Mexican army. Santa Anna had ordered his troops to take the tons cannon, so the townspeople placed a white flag with the words 'come and take it" on the cannon. The Texans easily defeated the Mexican soldiers.

Texas Bill of Rights

stated that certain rights belonged to all Texans (except for African-Americans) such as 1. freedom of speech 2.freedom of religion 3.right to a jury trial 4. encouraged to come and move to Texas African American slaves were not freed under the Constitution, and African-Americans needed permission from the government to stay in Texas

petition

to make a request of someone in charge