QCA 2 Study Guide

1 | Mexican National Era

Spain built missions and presidios in Texas because they were worried
about France trying to take over Texas. Because of this, they began to colonize.
Spanish missionary Francisco Hidalgo wished to build more missions in East Texas.
Mexico did not make Texas into its own state because there were not enough
people in Texas yet. In turn they combined it with Coahuila.
Moses and Stephen F. Austin were looking for reliable people that could
populate the province and defend it from Native American attacks in exchange for
cheap land. After being selectively chosen, The Old Three Hundred faced
difficulties, such as Native American attacks and harsh climate.

2 | Empresarios
Moses Austin | Moses Austin received a land grant from Spain to establish an
Anglo-American colony in Texas. This was his dream, however, death forbade him
from pursuing it.
Stephen F. Austin | Stephen F. Austin is known as the Father of Texas. After his
fathers tragic death, he carried on Moses Austins legacy and brought 300
families to Texas.
Green Dewitt | Green Dewitt was an empresario who brought early settlers to
Texas. He is thought to be the second most empresario.
Martin de Leon | Martin de Leon founded the town of Victoria with his wife,
which is what he is well known for. He was an empresario who brought early
settlers to Texas, much like Green Dewitt.

3 | Reasons for Settlement in Texas

Spain | Spain wanted to spread Catholicism and keep other nations from settling
in the area. Because of this, they sent mostly soldiers and priests to colonize the
area.

Mexico | Mexico wanted to expand and populate their territory to protect it.
Anglos | Anglos were drawn to Texas for various economic reasons. Most of the
settlers were families.

4 | Road to the Revolution

The Mexican Federal Constitution | This was created after Mexico gained
independence from Spain. The states and federal government shared authority
and power. This document satisfied the Texans that pledged loyalty to it to settle
in Texas.
Fredonian Rebellion | This was begun by Haden Edwards. It made Mexico
worried about Texas, so in turn they sent Mier y Teran and his men to inspect.
Mier y Teran Report | After Mier y Terans inspection, he discovered many things
that shocked him. He found that Texas was almost completely under American
influence, which was not intended. Anglos outnumbered Mexicans ten to one.
They were using American money as well as speaking English, and they had not
changed to Catholicism.
Law of April 6, 1830 | This law was created by the Mexican authorities to limit
American influence in Texas as a result of the Mier y Teran report. They included
several of his suggestions from his report.
Turtle Bayou Resolutions | Texans created this because they were angry about
Law of April 6, 1830 they had stated they pledged to the Mexican Federal
Constitution, not the president. They claimed the law unconstitutional, as Santa
Anna did, which made them turn to him.
Austins Arrest | Stephen F. Austin was arrested after his request for Texas to be
a state was denied. When he was released, he found that this was the last straw
for many Texans.

5 | Texas Revolution Era

Battle of Gonzales | Texans refused to return the Mexicans cannon, and rebelled
by making a sign that stated, Come and Take It. They fired on the Mexican
soldiers to begin the battle, although none of the Mexican leaders wanted
violence.
Siege of the Alamo | Santa Anna demanded that the defenders of the Alamo
surrender, but Travis and his men were determined to continue fighting.
Eventually they were all slain, except for a slave and the women and children,
who were set free.
William B. Travis Letter to the World | The Texans at the Alamo needed
reinforcements in order to defend themselves against a much larger Mexican
force, but would fight to the death. William B. Travis wrote this very famous letter
to symbolize determination and perseverance.
Texas Declaration of Independence | Texas officially declared independence
from Mexico because they believed they were being denied their individual and
political rights. This caused them to fight for their freedom.
Surrender at Goliad | Over 300 Texans were killed in Goliad after James Fannin
surrendered to the Mexican soldiers who had captured them on their way to the
Alamo. This outraged the other Texans and made them want to fight harder.
Battle of San Jacinto | The Battle of San Jacinto was the last battle of the Texas
Revolution. Sam Houston captured Santa Anna and forced him to sign the Treaty
of Velasco.
Treaty of Velasco | This treaty was signed in order to free Santa Anna. He gave
Texas their freedom and independence, which officially ended the war.

6 | People of the Texas Revolution

Lorenzo de Zavala | Lorenzo de Zavala was a Mexican politician who denounced
Santa Annas dictatorship, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, and
became the first ad-interim vice president of Texas.

Juan Seguin | Juan Seguin was the leader of Spanish-speaking Tejano volunteers
who helped defend the Alamo against General Santa Anna. They fought for Texas
independence and freedom from Mexico.
George Childress | George Childress was the writer of the Texas Declaration of
Independence, believing the fact that Texans were being denied their individual
and political rights and supporting freedom from Mexico.
Sam Houston | Sam Houston was leader of the Texas army. He defeated Santa
Anna at San Jacinto, captured him, and forced him to sign the Treaty of Velasco.
He also became President of the Republic of Texas twice, serving two terms first
and third, out of four total terms.
William B. Travis | William B. Travis was defender and leader of the Alamo. He
wrote a famous letter asking for help and declaring victory or death. Texans
followed him because of his tactics and intelligence.
Santa Anna | Santa Anna was the Mexican dictator and leader of the Mexican
army. He had no mercy during his reign, until he was captured. Only for his life to
definitely be spared, he signed the Treaty of Velasco. He overthrew President
Bustamante by winning over the Texans satisfaction.
James Fannin | James Fannin answered William B. Travis call for help as leader at
Goliad, but unfortunately failed to arrive at the Alamo. He and his men were
captured and promised the sparing of their lives, but instead were killed alongside
one another at Goliad.