Back to the video list: North American History

 

Texas was a part of Mexico until the Texan War of Independence of 1835/1836. After the war Texas was for nearly a decade an independent republic before she became a state of the United States of America.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 02 Oct 1835 – 21 Apr 1836
  • Location: Texas, North America
  • Start: Battle of Gonzales
  • End: Battle of San Jacinto

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Texas
  • Stephen F. Austin (1793 – 1836)
  • Sam Houston (1793 – 1863)
  • Mexico
  • Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (1794 – 1876)

 

Background

  • Mexico gains her independence from Spain in 1821 & develops into a decentralised confederation
  • Strong militias are established in the Mexican states, esp. because of the constant threat of Indian attacks
  • Mass immigration of Americans into Texas
    • Texans 1834: >30,000
    • Mexicans 1834: 7,800
  • Texans seek self-determination within the Mexican confederation
  • Santa Anna becomes Mexican president / dictator in 1833 & transforms Mexico into a centralised state with restrictive (economic) laws
  • Santa Anna plans to disarm the militias

 

History

Early Texan Victories

  • Sep 1835: 100 dragoons from San Antonio are ordered to secure a Texan cannon
  • 02 Oct 1835: Texans defeat the dragoons in the Battle of Gonzales
  • Oct – Nov 1835: The Texans win several smaller battles: Goliad, Lipantitlan, Concepcion & Grass Fight
  • 12 Oct – 11 Dec 1835: During the Texan siege & capture of Bexar shortcomings of the Texan army of volunteers become apparent
  • Nov 1835: Texas forms a government & a regular army under the command of Sam Houston

 

Santa Annas‘ Offensive

  • Dec 1835 – Feb 1836: Santa Anna moves a Mexican army to Texas
  • 23 Feb – 06 Mar 1836: During the Battle of The Alamo all of the Texan defenders (approx. 250) die & approx. 600 Mexicans die or are wounded
  • Mar 1836: Successful Goliad Campaign of the Mexicans
  • 27 Mar 1836: Santa Anna orders the Goliad Massacre (342 Texan prisoners of war are murdered)

 

Runaway Scrape & Texas Victory

  • Mar – Apr 1836: Texan army retreats towards the U.S. border (Runaway Scrape)
  • Santa Anna pursues the Texans with parts of his army
  • 21 Apr 1836: Decisive victory of the Texans in the Battle of San Jacinto, which also leads to the capture of Santa Anna
  • 14 May 1836: Santa Anna recognises the Texan independence in the Treaties of Velasco
  • Mexico does not recognise the Treaties of Velasco

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Texan independence (not recognised by Mexico)
  • Hostilities between Mexico & Texas last until the 1840ies
  • The conflict with Mexico is finally resolved in the Mexican-American War (1846 – 1848)
  • Precondition for Texas joining the Union & the Mexican-American War