By Eleanor E. Riggs in 1916

The Texas Revolution, also called the War of Texas Independence, was fought from October 2, 1835, through April 21, 1836. After a decade of political and cultural clashes between the Mexican government and the increasingly large population of American settlers in Texas, the war began. Ultimately, Texas won, resulting in its independence from Mexico and the founding of the Republic of Texas (1836–45).

When the United States purchased Florida from Spain in 1819, the Sabine River fixed the boundary between the Spanish and American lines on the southwest. Just across this line was the district of Texas, then a province of Mexico called Coahuila y Tejas. The Spanish government, anxious to develop this state, offered large tracts of land to anyone who would settle a certain number of families within a definite area. Many Americans took advantage of this offer. Among the earliest immigrants was Moses Austin of Missouri, who led a colony of families into the fertile region. Not long after, Mexico revolted against Spain and became an independent republic. The government was unstable, and most early presidents were tyrannical and usurped many privileges.

Among the most successful of these dictators was Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. He succeeded in controlling all of the local state governments except Texas and made himself so unpopular that many of his enemies moved into the province of Texas.

The new laws were unpopular throughout Mexico, leading to violence in several states, including Coahuila y Tejas. Making matters worse for the Texans, Santa Anna removed the capital of Texas from San Antonio to Saltillo, a town in a neighboring state. This caused so much inconvenience that in April 1833, the Texans called a convention to discuss proposed changes in immigration, judicial, and other political policies. The delegates advocated separate statehood for Tejas and elected Stephen Austin, son of the early pioneer, to carry a proposed state constitution to Mexico City. The new Mexican President, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, approved many proposals but refused to separate statehood.

Continued hostilities then began that continued for three months. During this time, the citizens of Texas met, formally declared war against Mexico, and elected General Samuel Houston, commander of the army.

Soon Santa Anna ordered his troops to march upon San Antonio. When William B. Travis, in command of about 150 Texas troops, heard of Santa Anna’s approach, leading some 1,500 soldiers, he and his men took refuge at a fortified convent known as the Alamo. He also published a message to the people declaring that he was surrounded by an army far outnumbering his own and that Santa Anna demanded unconditional surrender.

Unfortunately, though Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies, fewer than 100 reinforcements arrived. Along with other famous names such as Davy Crockett and James Bowie, Travis resisted the attack that began on February 23 and lasted for the next 12 days. Several skirmishes occurred as Travis, and his men desperately waited for help that would never come.

In the early morning hours of March 6, the full force of the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. As the Texas soldiers fought bravely, they could repulse two attacks; however, when a third came, they could not resist. In the end, every last man within the Alamo would die – estimated to have been between 182 and 250 Texans.

While the Battle of the Alamo was ongoing, Texas declared its independence from Mexico at a convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836. Five of its delegates were appointed to draft the document, which was completed overnight and signed the next day, March 2. David G. Burnett was president, and Lorenzo de Zavala was chosen as vice president.

Santa Anna continued his campaign, and before General Sam Houston could prevent it, the Mexicans surprised a force under Colonel James W. Fannin at Goliad. They destroyed this garrison in the same brutal manner as in their attack upon the Alamo.

Without realizing his small army was not prepared to fight Santa Anna out in the open, Houston soon ordered a retreat towards the U.S. border, and many settlers fled in the same direction. Santa Anna’s army gave chase.

On April 20, 1836, both armies met at the San Jacinto River. Large sloping ground with tall grass was separating them, which the Texans used as cover. Soon the Mexicans were reinforced, and Santa Anna ordered his men to stand down, sure that the Texans would not attack his superior force. He allowed his troops, stretched by the ongoing forced marches, to rest. However, the next afternoon, he and his men were surprised when the smaller force of Texans attacked. In a battle that lasted only about 18 minutes, Santa Anna’s entire force was killed or captured by Sam Houston’s heavily outnumbered army. Only nine Texans died.

Santa Anna was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, Santa Anna was released after signing a treaty in which he agreed to discontinue war upon Texas; he was allowed to return to Mexico. These treaties did not specifically recognize Texas as a sovereign nation but stipulated that Santa Anna lobby for such recognition in Mexico City. Afterward, the United States, France, and England recognized the new republic as independent, though Mexico never did.

Sam Houston became a national celebrity, and the Texans’ rallying cries, “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!” became etched into American history and legend.

Not long after the Texas Revolution, the people of the new republic began to consider annexing their state to the United States. Most of the population were Americans, whose interests had always been closely identified with the United States. As soon as this plan became known, England discouraged the idea and attempted to secure better relations between Mexico and Texas. Having already repudiated his treaty, Santa Anna collected an army for further invasion. But, the biggest issue with annexing Texas as a state was the issue of slavery.

The question of annexation was to become a national issue in the United States, where the people of the North and South took definite sides. The Abolitionists of the North and East were especially opposed to annexation because Texas was a slaveholding republic. This vast territory would significantly increase the area of the slaveholding states and retard the chances of abolition.

Though President John Tyler and some of his primary supporters were earnest advocates of annexation, he did not publicly make known his plans until April 1844, when he sent a message to the Senate proposing a treaty of annexation. However, the Senate promptly rejected the proposal. The following year, Democratic candidate James K. Polk of Tennessee would become the president. An enthusiastic advocate of Annexation, Texas became a state on December 29, 1845, which soon led to the Mexican-American War.

By Eleanor E. Riggs, 1916. Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated February 2023.

Also See:

San Antonio – A Mecca For History Buffs

Texas – The Lone Star State

Texas Photo Galleries

War & Military in America

About the Article:  This article was primarily written by Eleanor E. Riggs as part of her book, An American History, published in 1916. However, the original article has been heavily edited and expanded to include additional information.