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Texas Revolution is NOT Mexican American War
There’s so much to say about both the Texas Revolution and
the Mexican - American War but we must first learn that these military conflics
are not one in the same. Yes, the Texas Revolution may have been one of the
catalysts for the Mexican War, 10 years later, but truly, they are two
military efforts, akin to the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812.
History Review and
Timeline
Overview. We are
all familiar with The Alamo, Sam Houston, and the Battle of San Jacinto that
lasted less than 20 minutes, but what do they have in common? They are all
related to the Texas Revolution, also known as The Texas War of Independence, 2
Oct 1835 - 21 Apr 1836. American colonists, joined by Mexican settlers
(Tejanos) forced their independence from Mexico’s conservative government
which resulted in the Republic of Texas. With the help of Texas sympathizers from the US approximately 2500 men fought for this effort (against approximately 6000 Mexican troops).
Early settlers,
1820-1830, mostly from the US deep south, who entered the region of Tejas
of the Republic of Mexico were required to vow allegiance to Mexico and agreed to
being Roman Catholic. And although slavery had been outlawed by 1829 in Mexico, it was
allowed for an additional year (1830) in Tejas for the American settlers.
1835 War of Independence. It was
this year that conservative Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna,
known as Santa Anna, became the
President. It was this year that Santa Anna promoted his power by enforcing the
newly mandated conservative “Siete Leyes” (7 laws). The Siete Leyes established
a national government that abolished state legislature to include that of Tejas,
denying them of any independent state control.
1836 Revolution Ended.
The Revolution ended at the Battle of San Jacinto which lasted less than twenty
minutes on 21 April 1836.
1836 - 1845 The Republic of Texas. The Republic of Texas was independent of Mexico and earned
diplomatic status from the US, France and Britain. Sam Houston was elected President.
However, Mexico still claimed the Texas territory as part of the Mexico.
Dec 1845 Texas joined the Union
1846 Mexican - American War. Keep in mind that the Texas
Revolution ended in 1836. Know that the US declared war against Mexico 1846, abt 10 years later.
After the Texas Revolution, the United States claimed the Rio
Grande as its southern border, based on the Treaties of Velasco; whereas Mexico
claimed the border as Nueces River, north of the Rio Grande. Efforts to acquire
(purchase and negotiate) the Mexico territories of Alta California and Santa Fe
(NM), to include the Nueces Strip in Texas, failed. The first skirmish - the Thornton Affair (Thornton Skirmish) was
along the disputed Nueces Strip. This skirmish led President Polk to lead
Congress to declare war against Mexico 13 May 1846.
Of course it is well known that the Mexican - American war
resulted in the USA gaining California, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada and parts
of other states. And, it also quieted any questions regarding the southern border of Texas. To fully
understand this war and the importance of continental expansion, it is vital
that historians and researchers understand the American culture of the
1840’s and the role Manifest Destiny played in the decision for westward expansion.
5 Research
Resources
In addition to battle museums across Texas, researchers must know that Texan settlers were not exclusive
in serving in the Texas Revolution. There were the Georgian soldiers, Kentucky
(Mustangs), Alabama (Red Rovers), Mississippi
(Mauraders) and soldiers from the other southern states. Each state should be researched for relevant repositories. For example there
were about 120 militia men of the New Orleans Greys (13 Oct 1835) who joined the
efforts of the Texas Revolution. Here are 5 good repositories for research.
- New Orleans Howard-Tilton Library. Tulane University, LA
- Cushing Library & Archives, Texas A&M
- Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) website has an extensive article providing Research Help to Republic of Texas Military Records
- Officers and Men of the Texas Republican Army are posted by Company on Fold.
- Texas General Land Office. Texans who served in the Texas Revolution were extended land bounty and donation grants for 640 acres. For more information on the the issuance of bounty and donation grants reference TSHA –Land Grants.
Be sure to visit:
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy@gmail.com