The Conflict Escalates

Chapter 9 Section 3

Anahuac II

• Once in power Santa Anna dismissed the Mexican Congress and had a new constitution written that placed the power in his hands.

• Santa Anna sent his brother-in-law, General Martin Perfecto de Cos, north (including to Texas) to enforce his laws.

• Cos sent a Captain Antonio Tenorio was sent to Anahuac to resume collection of customs duties and watch the actions of Texans.

Anahuac II, cont…

• Some Texans were arrested and others were concerned that their rights were being violated

• William B. Travis and about 25 men went to Anahuac to try to expel Tenorio

• Tenorio and his men surrendered quickly and left Texas

War and Peace Parties

• Texans had to decide whether to support Santa Anna and his centralist government

• One party, the “war party” decided that armed resistance and complete independence should be the goal for Texas

• The other party was the “peace party” who favored a wait-and-see approach

Centralist Reaction

• General Cos demanded Travis’s arrest for his involvement in ousting Tenorio, but Texans refused to allow him to be arrested

• At this time Stephen F. Austin returned from Mexico and colonists looked to him for advice

• During his time in jail Austin realized that the differences between the Mexican government and the Texans could not be settled peacefully and urged Texans to take action

Centralist Reaction, cont…

• Cos and his army moved to San Antonio prepared to enforce the arrest of the Texans

• On the way he was reminded the Texans still had possession of a 6lb cannon that had been provided to an empresario by the Mexican government for defense against Native Americans

• An army was sent to seize the cannon

The Battle of Gonzales

• When the Mexican army tried to take possession of the cannon the Texans refused to give it up without written orders

• Word spread that Mexican soldiers planned to return from San Antonio and take the cannon

• About 160 Texans rallied in Gonzales and flew a banner inscribed “Come and Take It” to show defiance

Battle of Gonzales, cont…

• When the Mexican army arrived the Texans fired the tiny cannon at them

• The Mexican troops retreated to San Antonio• The Battle of Gonzales was fought to disarm

Texas fighters who threatened Santa Anna

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The Consultation of 1835

• On November 4, 1835 delegates gathered in San Felipe to decide what action the Texans should take next

• The Consultation decided against an immediate declaration of independence

• They adopted the “Declaration of the People in Texas in General Convention Assembled” which stated that:– they continued to be loyal to Mexico – fought only to protect themselves– stand up for the Constitution of 1824

Consultation of 1835 cont.

• Set up a provisional government

• Agreed to meet again on March 1, 1836 to make a decision about Texas’ independence

The Army of the People and The Attack on San Antonio

• Meanwhile nearly 300 Texans organized themselves into the Army of the People and led an attack on General Cos and his troops in San Antonio

• The fighting ended with General Cos surrendering and giving the Texans all the money, supplies, arms, and property held by the Mexicans in San Antonio

• Cos agreed to never again oppose the Constitution of 1824

• The Texas Revolution has begun….