This episode covers the Texan War for Independence from the Battle of Gonzales through the decisive Battle of San Jacinto, the capture of Santa Anna, and the founding of the Republic of Texas. Students will learn why Texas operated as a sovereign nation for nine years before joining the United States.

Key Takeaways

• The Battle of Gonzales on October 2, 1835, sparked by a dispute over a single cannon, was the opening engagement of the Texas Revolution.

• The Goliad Massacre on March 27, 1836, in which Santa Anna ordered the execution of nearly 350 Texan prisoners of war, fueled the rage that drove the final Texan charge.

• The Battle of San Jacinto lasted only 18 minutes and effectively ended the war for Texan independence.

• Santa Anna was captured hiding in a swamp wearing a private's jacket, and his capture forced the negotiation of the Treaties of Velasco.

• Texas operated as an independent republic for nine years, from 1836 to 1845, before being annexed as the 28th state.

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How long did the Battle of San Jacinto last?

The Battle of San Jacinto lasted approximately 18 minutes on April 21st, 1836. Despite the brevity, it was the decisive engagement of the Texas Revolution. Texan forces under Sam Houston caught Santa Anna's army off guard during an afternoon rest, and the resulting victory effectively ended the war.

Q2: What were the Treaties of Velasco?

The Treaties of Velasco were two agreements signed on May 14th, 1836, by Santa Anna while he was a prisoner of war. The public treaty committed Mexico to withdrawing its troops from Texas. The secret treaty had Santa Anna agree to recognize Texan independence. Mexico later disputed both treaties on the grounds that a prisoner of war lacks the authority to bind his government.

Q3: Why was the Goliad Massacre significant?

On March 27th, 1836, Santa Anna ordered the execution of approximately 350 Texan prisoners of war at Goliad after they had already surrendered. The killings violated the conventional laws of war and outraged both Texans and American observers. 'Remember Goliad' became a battle cry alongside 'Remember the Alamo' at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto.

Q4: How long was Texas an independent republic?

Texas operated as an independent republic for nine years, from 1836 to 1845. During that period it had its own president, congress, army, and diplomatic relationships. The United States recognized Texan independence, as did France and Britain, though Mexico never did. Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845 and admitted as the 28th state.

Q5: What does 'Come and Take It' mean in Texas history?

The phrase refers to the Battle of Gonzales on October 2nd, 1835, the opening engagement of the Texas Revolution. Mexican troops demanded the return of a small cannon the town of Gonzales had been given for defense. The Texans refused, raised a flag emblazoned with a cannon and the words 'Come and Take It,' and repelled the Mexican soldiers. The phrase became an enduring symbol of Texan defiance.

The Lexington of Texas

The Texan War for Independence opened on October 2nd, 1835. Known as the Lexington of Texas, the Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the revolution. The conflict that day was sparked by Mexican troops attempting to reclaim a cannon. The Texans raised a flag bearing these words: "Come and take it." Along with the battle cry "Remember the Alamo," the flag became the revolution's most enduring symbol of defiance. It would spur the victory over Mexico and inspire the birth of the Republic of Texas. Following the Battle of Gonzales, victory soon followed for the rebels. On October 10th, 1835, Texans captured the garrison at Goliad. A little less than three weeks later, a Texan force led by Jim Bowie defeated a larger Mexican scouting party in the Battle of Concepción.

Texan morale was on the rise. Between October and early December, Texans led by Benjamin Milam besieged then captured San Antonio de Béxar. The Mexican garrison there was the Alamo. Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos was allowed to return to Mexico. Then came the Battle of the Alamo. This time the Texans defended the garrison against the Mexican army. After a two-week siege on March 6th, Santa Anna and his army overwhelmed the Alamo and killed every man defending it. The defining act of Texan defiance had come weeks earlier at the siege we cover in our episode on the Alamo.

Texas Declares Independence

Five days earlier, on March 1st, the Convention of 1836 had commenced at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Delegates convened for two main purposes: to formally declare independence and to draft a constitution for the new Republic of Texas. The next day, March 2nd, 1836, the convention formally adopted the declaration. Texas joined a line of new republics in the Americas. After hearing of the defeat at the Alamo, General Houston ordered Colonel James Fannin and his approximately 450 men to retreat from Goliad and join the rest of Houston's army.

The colonel hesitated, giving just enough time for the Mexican forces to surround the Texans. After a two-day standoff at Coleto Creek near Goliad, Fannin surrendered to Santa Anna on March 20th. On March 27th, 1836, Palm Sunday, the general ordered the execution of the colonel and nearly 349 Texan prisoners of war. It came to be known as the Goliad Massacre. Texas would operate as a sovereign nation for almost a decade before joining the United States, a path that led to the conflict we cover in our episode on the Mexican-American War.

San Jacinto: Eighteen Minutes

On April 21st, 1836, in the final and decisive battle of the war for Texan independence, Texan forces led by General Sam Houston launched a surprise attack on Santa Anna's camp. As the Texans unleashed their attack, shouts rang out: "Remember the Alamo."

The Battle of San Jacinto, near modern-day Houston, Texas, lasted only 18 minutes. The resounding Texan victory effectively ended the war. Santa Anna fled from the battle and sought an escape by way of Vince's Bridge, which stretched over the impassable waters of the bayou below. He discovered that the bridge had been destroyed. That night, the general hid in the nearby swamp, only to be discovered the next day. He was wearing the jacket of a Mexican private. His captors brought him before General Sam Houston, who lay on the ground, he had been shot in the ankle. Santa Anna's capture forced him to negotiate the Treaties of Velasco, which laid the groundwork for Texas self-governance. On May 14th, 1836, the treaties were signed. Santa Anna agreed to withdraw Mexican troops and, in a secret treaty, recognize Texan independence.

The Lone Star Republic

Later, the Mexican government disputed the validity of both treaties since Santa Anna was a prisoner of war when he negotiated them. All the Mexican troops retreated south of the Rio Grande. Mexico's prisoners of war were released and Santa Anna was given passage to Veracruz.

While Mexico refused to formally recognize Texan independence, Texas operated as a sovereign nation for nine years until annexation by the United States in 1845. Texas would become the 28th state in the American Union, known as the Lone Star State, so named for its iconic flag. The annexation of Texas would soon draw the United States into another war, this time with Mexico, that would reshape the entire continent. The president who would later annex Texas owed his rise to the political revolution we cover in our episode on Andrew Jackson and the rise of Jacksonian democracy.