The Texas revolution took place in the 19th century. The revolution led to the battle of San Jacinto and since them many reasons for the war have been discussed. Some blame the loss of Texas from Mexico on the Anglo Americans.
The Anglo Americans are blamed for taking over Texas through any means necessary. On the contrary, some blame Mexico for losing part of its territory on its dictatorial rule that led to the revolution and eventual annex of Texas. This paper will discuss some of the reasons and heroes associated with the Texas revolution.
Territory expansion
Many reasons led to the Texas revolution. First, the United States had been expanding its territory plan and a number of Americans crossed over to Texas. Texas bordered Louisiana, and its land was fertile and desirable to the Americans. Texas was home to about four thousand Tejanos- people of Spanish heritage- and Pueblo and Plains Native Americans.
The Spanish settlers encouraged more settlers to come to defend Texas against the Native Americans and people from America. Thus, to attract people the Spanish government offered land for sale in Texas and Moses Austin took that opportunity to ask for permission to start a colony. He got the permission on condition the settlers followed Spanish laws.
Cultural differences
However, after Mexico gained its independence, he had to renegotiate the terms of his colony under the Mexican government. The settlers had to become Mexican citizens, and follow the Roman Catholic Church. He attracted many settlers, but they did not live harmoniously with their neighbors.
They had great cultural differences, and the Americans resisted learning Spanish and preferred to use English. They also rejected the Mexican laws. Tension among the people living in Texas started to build up as the different cultures prevailed. The mistrust among the American settlers and the Tejanos escalated and took a racial turn as the different communities thought the other considered themselves superior.
Slavery
The other reason that led to the revolution was slavery. The Anglo Americans had slaves back in the United States, and brought them to Texas. Later, Mexico started measures to abolish slavery, and the Americans did not like the new laws. They had many slaves working in their lands, and could not afford to lose their source of labor.
They started to wish for freedom from Mexico to continue practicing slavery without restrictions. Owning slaves was very important to them and the thought of losing the laborers was very emotive, and led to a buildup of tension that contributed to the Texas revolution.
The revolution
Consequently, the Mexican government moved in to curtail the tensions and introduced taxes to the Texan people. The new requirement to pay taxes led to angry protests, and Austin took recommendations to the Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to allow Texas to govern itself. He was loyal to the government, but a letter saying if the government rejected the recommendations he would break away was intercepted, and he was jailed for rebellion.
Moreover, Santa Anna increased his troops, and Sam Houston took charge of the Texas army to fight for their freedom. The number was small and James Fannin led four hundred and twenty men. William Travis led a hundred and eighty three men. Travis passed a message to all Americans and told them there would be no surrender or retreat. However, the Texan troops lost the war at Alamo. Later on Houston led his men to the San Jacinto war and they defeated Santa Anna’s men, and he had to sign a treaty that gave freedom to Texas.
Conclusion
After Texas become independent, it was called the Lone Star republic led by Sam Houston. The Anglo Americans living in Texas, had strong ties to the United States, and they still considered themselves as Americans. They wanted to become part of the United States, and eventually Texas was annexed to the Union.