The Texas Revolution
"I done drew the line. Just like the Alamo. You’re either on one side of the line or the other. I don’t want to ever leave Texas again!"
– Bum Phillips
The Texas Revolution, a pivotal moment in North American history, unfolded between October 2, 1835, and April 21, 1836. This relatively short but incredibly impactful conflict, also known as the War of Texas Independence, marked the culmination of simmering tensions between the Mexican government and the burgeoning population of American settlers residing in the region of Texas. The decade preceding the war was characterized by growing political and cultural friction, ultimately leading to armed conflict. The outcome of the Texas Revolution was the establishment of an independent Republic of Texas, a sovereign nation that existed from 1836 to 1845.
The roots of the Texas Revolution can be traced back to the early 19th century when the United States acquired Florida from Spain in 1819. This treaty established the Sabine River as the boundary between Spanish territory and the United States in the southwest. Just across the Sabine lay the district of Texas, at the time a province within Mexico known as Coahuila y Tejas. The Spanish government, eager to cultivate and develop this territory, implemented a policy of offering vast tracts of land to individuals willing to settle a specific number of families within a defined area.
This enticing offer attracted numerous American settlers, including Moses Austin of Missouri, who spearheaded a colony of families into the fertile Texas region. Shortly thereafter, Mexico embarked on its own revolution, severing ties with Spain and declaring itself an independent republic. The early years of the Mexican republic were plagued by governmental instability, with many presidents exhibiting tyrannical tendencies and usurping power.
Among these strongmen, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna rose to prominence. He effectively exerted control over most local state governments, with the notable exception of Texas. Santa Anna’s unpopular policies and dictatorial style led many of his political adversaries to seek refuge in the province of Texas, further contributing to the growing population of discontented individuals within the region.
The imposition of new laws generated widespread discontent throughout Mexico, sparking outbreaks of violence in several states, including Coahuila y Tejas. Adding fuel to the fire, Santa Anna relocated the capital of Texas from San Antonio to Saltillo, a city in a neighboring state. This decision created significant inconvenience for the Texan population, prompting them to convene a convention in April 1833 to discuss proposed modifications to immigration, judicial, and other political policies. The delegates championed the idea of separate statehood for Tejas and selected Stephen Austin, the son of the original pioneer, to present a proposed state constitution to the authorities in Mexico City. While President Santa Anna approved many of the proposed reforms, he steadfastly refused to grant separate statehood to Texas.
Following his return to Texas, Austin penned a letter in October advocating for unilateral action by Texans in their pursuit of statehood. This act was deemed treasonous, leading to Austin’s arrest and imprisonment in Mexico for a year and a half. Meanwhile, the influx of American and Mexican immigrants into Tejas was accelerating rapidly. Santa Anna, growing increasingly suspicious, began to perceive the influx of American immigrants as part of a larger plot orchestrated by the United States to seize control of the region. Consequently, in 1834, Santa Anna initiated a series of actions aimed at consolidating his power, including dissolving state legislatures, disarming state militias, and abolishing the Constitution of 1824, citing perceived instability within the Mexican government.
These actions ignited widespread indignation among the Texans, further exacerbated by Stephen Austin’s continued imprisonment. This led to another convention, where plans for a revolt against Mexican authority were formulated. Upon learning of these plans, a garrison of Mexican soldiers attempted to seize a cannon belonging to the defense of Gonzales, Texas, on October 2, 1835. The Texans resisted this attempt, successfully forcing the Mexicans to retreat. This skirmish marked the opening battle of the Texas Revolution.
Hostilities continued for three months. During this period, Texan citizens convened, formally declared war against Mexico, and elected General Samuel Houston as the commander of the Texan army. Santa Anna swiftly responded by ordering his troops to march upon San Antonio. William B. Travis, commanding approximately 150 Texan troops, upon hearing of Santa Anna’s approach with an army of around 1,500 soldiers, sought refuge within the fortified convent known as the Alamo. Travis issued a message to the people, informing them of the overwhelming odds he faced and Santa Anna’s demand for unconditional surrender.
Despite Travis’s numerous appeals for reinforcements and supplies, only a limited number of men arrived. Alongside figures like Davy Crockett and James Bowie, Travis and his men bravely resisted the Mexican assault, which commenced on February 23 and continued for 12 days. During this period, several skirmishes took place as the defenders of the Alamo desperately awaited reinforcements that would never materialize.
In the early hours of March 6, the full force of the Mexican Army launched a final assault on the Alamo. The Texan soldiers fought valiantly, repelling two initial attacks. However, the third assault proved overwhelming, and the defenders were unable to resist. Every single Texan soldier within the Alamo perished, with estimates ranging from 182 to 250.
While the Battle of the Alamo raged, Texas declared its independence from Mexico at a convention held in Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836. A committee of five delegates was tasked with drafting the declaration, which was completed overnight and signed the following day, March 2. David G. Burnett was elected president, and Lorenzo de Zavala was chosen as vice president of the newly declared Republic of Texas.
Santa Anna continued his campaign, and before General Sam Houston could intervene, Mexican forces surprised a contingent under Colonel James W. Fannin at Goliad. In a similar manner to the Alamo, the Mexican army brutally massacred the Texan garrison. Realizing his army was not prepared to engage Santa Anna’s forces in open battle, Houston ordered a retreat towards the U.S. border. Many settlers joined the retreat, seeking refuge from the advancing Mexican army. Santa Anna’s troops pursued the retreating Texans.
On April 20, 1836, the two armies converged near the San Jacinto River. A significant slope covered in tall grass provided cover for the Texan forces. Following reinforcements, Santa Anna, confident in his superior numbers, ordered his men to stand down and rest, believing the Texans would not dare attack. However, the following afternoon, the Texans launched a surprise attack. In a swift battle lasting approximately 18 minutes, Sam Houston’s outnumbered army routed Santa Anna’s entire force, resulting in either death or capture. Only nine Texan soldiers lost their lives in the Battle of San Jacinto.
Santa Anna was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, he was released after signing a treaty agreeing to cease hostilities against Texas. He was then permitted to return to Mexico. While these treaties did not explicitly recognize Texas as a sovereign nation, they stipulated that Santa Anna would advocate for such recognition in Mexico City. Subsequently, the United States, France, and England recognized the Republic of Texas as an independent nation, although Mexico never officially did so.
Sam Houston emerged as a national hero, and the Texan rallying cries, "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" became deeply ingrained in American history and legend. Soon after the Texas Revolution, the people of the newly formed republic began to consider annexation to the United States. The majority of the population were Americans, and their interests were closely aligned with those of the United States.
However, the prospect of annexation became a contentious issue within the United States, dividing the nation along sectional lines. Abolitionists in the North and East vehemently opposed annexation, fearing that the vast territory of Texas would significantly expand the area of slaveholding states and hinder the progress of abolition. While President John Tyler and some of his key supporters strongly advocated for annexation, he did not publicly reveal his plans until April 1844, when he sent a message to the Senate proposing a treaty of annexation. The Senate promptly rejected the proposal.
The following year, Democratic candidate James K. Polk of Tennessee, an enthusiastic proponent of annexation, won the presidency. On December 29, 1845, Texas officially became a state, an event that would soon lead to the Mexican-American War.