Revolutionary Events Graphic Organizer Notes
The Constitution of 1824
Created a federal system of government. Divided Mexico into 19 states and four territories. Texas and Coahuila y Tejas merge. Texas could be a single state once the population grew large enough.
Date
1824
Outcome
Passed the colonization Law of 1824, which allowed states to establish their own colonization laws.
Mexican Perspective
Mexican liberals are in favor of the constitution. Santa Anna wanted to honor the constitution created by the Federalists.
Colonists’ Perspective
Settlers are in favor of the constitution.
The Fredonia Rebellion
Claimed that Mexico no longer claimed the area. Dispute over land grants near Nacogdoches between old settlers and new settlers.
Date
December 1826
Outcome
Mexican officials sided with previous settlers. Mexican military along with support from Stephen F. Austin traveled to Fredonia.
Mexican Perspective
Growing concern. Mexican nationalists worried that Anglo settlers were trying to take over Texas.
Colonists’ Perspective
Colonists were on the side of the Mexican government.
Law of April 6, 1830
Outlawed immigration to Texas from the United States and cancelled all empresario grants that were not fulfilled. Slaves could not be brought into Mexico. Customs duties were placed on all U.S. goods going to Texas.
Date
April 1830
Outcome
Mexican troops sent to collect taxes. Increase in the number of Mexican troops.
Mexican Perspective
Those who believed in states’ rights did not agree with the law.
Colonists’ Perspective
Colonists were angry and felt their rights were violated. Worried about economic effects.
Trouble at Anahuac
An American came in search of his escaped slaves. Settlers marched on Anahuac. Skirmishes erupted between the settlers and John Davis Bradburn for the arrest of Patrick Jack and William B. Travis.
Date
May 1832
Outcome
John Davis Bradburn is removed as a Mexican army officer. Texans divided into War Party and Peace Party.
Mexican Perspective
Growing concern
Colonists’ Perspective
Slavery should be legal.
Turtle Bayou Resolutions
Settlers declared support to Santa Anna and liberalism.
Date
June 1832
Outcome
Bradburn removed. Texas divided into War Party and Peace Party.
Mexican Perspective
Growing suspicions
Colonists’ Perspective
In support of Mexico
The Convention of 1832
Stephen F. Austin presided over the convention. Delegates proclaimed loyalty to Santa Anna. Wanted the Law of April 6, 1830 repealed. Wanted Texas to become a separate state. Wanted exemptions from customs duties, the creation of public schools, and immigration restrictions lifted.
Date
October 1832
Outcome
Plan to create militias. The delegates created committees. Their requests were not delivered to the Mexican government. Another convention was called.
Mexican Perspective
They felt the conventions were illegal. They did not want an Anglo-dominated Texas.
Colonists’ Perspective
The delegates were proud of their accomplishments but upset over some decisions made by the Mexican government.
The Convention of 1833
William H. Wharton presided over the convention. The delegates wanted to repeal the anti-immigration law and additional defense against American Indians. They also wanted to become independent by splitting Coahuila and Texas, judicial and postal service reform, and tariff exemptions. They passed resolutions prohibiting African slave traffic in Texas.
Date
April 1833
Outcome
Proposed and approved a state constitution. The constitution was given to Stephen F. Austin to present to the Mexican government.
Mexican Perspective
Made concessions for the colonists to try and smooth things over.
Colonists’ Perspective
Some remained neutral but others became agitated and impatient for change from the Mexican government.
Stephen F. Austin’s Arrest
Traveled to Mexico City to present the petitions and constitution from the delegates of the Convention of 1833. Austin was arrested for treasonous acts. While imprisoned, Austin wrote a letter to the Texians stating they should go ahead and start planning their own state governments.
Date
January 1834
Outcome
Austin is eventually released.
Mexican Perspective
They saw Stephen F. Austin as a traitor.
Colonists’ Perspective
The colonists were angry and saw Austin’s arrest as an infringement on their rights.
The Battle of Gonzales
Mexican soldiers demanded the return of their cannon. Texians refused to return the cannon and fired on the Mexican troops. A banner that read “Come and Take It” was attached to the cannon.
Date
October 1835
Outcome
More Texians became supporters of the fight for independence.
Mexican Perspective
Engaged in battle with the Texians.
Colonists’ Perspective
Supportive of the cause.
Issues over States’ Rights
Texas wanted to become a separate state from the Mexican state. Texians wanted exemptions from customs duties, the creation of public schools, and immigration restrictions lifted. They eventually created a declaration pledging to support the Mexican Constitution but refusing to support the dictatorship of Santa Anna. Texians wanted a democratic government.
Date
Ongoing; the meeting to create the declaration occurred in 1835.
Visual
Answers will vary; students should support their visual with textual evidence.
Outcome
Texians created a temporary government.
Mexican Perspective
Were offered land in exchange for their support. Some supported the Anglo cause and some remained loyal to Santa Anna.
Colonists’ Perspective
Encouraged the support of everyone including Mexican people.
Issues over Individual Rights
Anglo-Americans in Texas believed they should have the right to bring slaves to the state although the state constitution banned the importation of slaves.
Date
Ongoing
Outcome
Some slave owners forced their slaves to sign a contract stating they were not slaves and just workers working to pay off their debt.
Mexican Perspective
Mexican liberals were against slavery.
Colonists’ Perspective
Slave-owning settlers were worried that Mexico would abolish slavery in Texas.
Santa Anna’s Rule
President of Mexico; escaped the field of battle but was later captured and forced to sign a treaty removing all Mexican troops from Texas.
Date
1833–1836
Outcome
Treaty of Velasco
Mexican Perspective
Opinions varied. Some Mexicans remained loyal to Santa Anna and some favored the Anglo cause. Colonists’ Perspective
Rebellion; colonists wanted to be independent.