This unit explores the roles of individuals in history. Individuals' characteristics and how actions impact history. The questions is how and why? What makes a leader, innovator, influencer, and changer in history? And what are the complexity of their role in regards to each other during significant events in history?
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Causes: why it happened-7th period
What were the causes of the Texas Revolution? Give me your person's perspective about this topic with quotes, evidence and elaboration on why this revolution happened. Please respond to someone else comments in addition to your initial comment. Please leave your name for credit and make sure your are in the correct class period posting. Due: March 4th
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I, Stephen F. Austin believe that this war that brought us Texans peace was only caused by Texans trying to gain the freedom we deserved instead of being controlled by Mexico and their dictator, Santa Anna. I believe he was a dictator because of he locked me in jail only for voicing my own opinion, which as all should believe is a given right amongst humans, men, women and all. A quote that shows just how much I believe in my statements is: "If we fight, we fight for our rights nothing else". Another thing that pushed us over the edge was that the Mexicans wouldn't allow us to have our own area but force us into a state called Coahuila y Tejas. If you ask why us Texans did such things as take the cannon, write "Come and Take it" on our flags, fight for the Alamo, sign our own Declaration of Independence, and fight at San Jacinto. I will say that we fought for the thing all humans deserve: freedom.
ReplyDeleteStone Chen
Bernice Tsao
ReplyDeleteI am James Bowie. I was very practical in fighting. "Keep under cover, boys, and reserve your fire...we haven't a man to spare." My captain was always Sam Houston, and I trusted his orders. I shared command of the intrepid 189 with William B. Travis at the Alamo. I fought till the end during my last battle on my cot.
Bernice Tsao (James Bowie)
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the war was very important, and I would die fighting for the freedom of my state and for my family. I fought the Spaniards on my cot with pneumonia during the Battle of the Alamo. But I also believe that we need to conserve during war. Every bullet wasted could have taken a Spaniard down. As I always tell my troops, "Keep under cover boys, and reserve your fire; we haven't a man to spare." However, with that belief, i still think that every pistol i emptied out on the Spaniards was worth our freedom.
As Juan Almonte, Santa Anna’s personal assistant, I believe that the Texan Revolution was all a rather pointless bloodbath, all caused by discontent that would never have spawned had Santa Anna not excluded the Texans from the rights they were entitled to. When then-president Bustamante appointed me as Santa Anna’s assistant, I was tempted to ally myself with rebel forces; in the end, I remained loyal to my native country, Mexico. When my statistical report of Texas was completed in 1834, I concluded that “…Texas is the most valuable possession that the [Mexican] Republic has, and God grant that our neglect does not cause us to lose so precious a part of our territory.” I understood the Texans’ feelings – hadn’t we the Mexicans felt the same about Spain? However, Texas was too valuable an asset to lose in the name of liberty. At the Alamo, it was I who was willing to accept any surrender the defenders offered, but Santa Anna insisted any surrender must be unconditional. When it was clear the Texans would triumph at San Jacinto, I surrendered my troops to spare them from meaningless slaughter. Mexico’s name had already been soiled once during the Goliad Massacre!
ReplyDeleteStephen F. Austin: I too was shocked at your arrest. As I wrote to Santa Anna, “[Austin] remains arrested only because he is accused of having wanted to excite a rebellion in the colonies against the Government of Mexico; but that it is believed that he will be liberated and that he will return to the enjoyment of a peaceful citizenship.” I completely understand, for on one occasion, I too was forced into hiding because I had accused President Bustamante (via newspaper) of being overly lax in regards to Mexico’s political affairs.
-Tory Songyang
I, Juan Seguin beleive that the Texans wnated it's own form of government, not the form Mexico had. Even though I am I mexican subject I must state that I,"A victim to the wickedness of a few men... a foreigner in my native land; could I be expected to stoically endure their outrages and insults?" I wrote in 1858. "I sought for shelter amongst those against whom I fought; I separated from my country, parents, family, relatives and friends, and what was more, from the institutions, on behalf which I had drawn my sword, with an earnest wish to see Texas free and happy." I if I had a choice would never go under the rule of Santa Anna for he did not know what was right for anyone only for himself.This is what the Texans thought also so they fought for victory or for death. One way or another, they fought to be free of Santa Annas rule and was able to be free to develop it's own nation the right way.
ReplyDelete-Minela S.
I, Jim Bowie, believe that there is one major cause of the Texas Revolution, and that would be because of lousy, unsatisfactory leaders or I should say dictators. Even though many lives were lost, I still think that the Texas Revolution was very significant. It helped Texans get their liberty and the rights that every human deserves. I, along with my men, fought till we got every last shed of respect and freedom the Mexicans could give. We fought for the freedom of our families and friends. As I have said once before, “I will do as I have been commanded; as for what that is…” Under the guidance of my captain Sam Houston we defeated those “bean eaters” as we all did what we were commanded.
ReplyDeleteJuan Almonte: I agree yet I disagree with your thoughts on the Texas Revolution. I do believe that in the beginning the Texas Revolution was a “pointless bloodbath”, but we couldn’t stop Santa Anna from becoming a dictator; so we did what we thought was the best and that was declare war for our freedom.
- Ecem S. Kilic :)
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI, James Bowie, believe that this whole darned revolution really began when that kid ova there, Austin, was denied his bit o' land. Darn Mexican government treated the kid harsh, that's sure. And then that no good, lying, cheating,arrogant, Mexican takes office. Never saw anything so awful. He has an evil smell 'bout him they say. Ain't got the chance to meet him, 'else i woulda knocked 'im outta his fancy lil' chair. Arrogant lil' scum. However, as I was saying, the Revolution all started when that bit of Austin's land was refused, and Austin was thrown in jail. Came back a different man they say....
ReplyDeleteBut I was saying, he came back, angered by the Mexicans and began rabble rousing. Getting the locals to want to fight Santa Anna. Now, that really was trouble in those days. You see, he got thrown in jail for a nasty letter that got into the wrong hands. An' then, them mexicans go and arrest Travis and other folk. Now that really got us Texans mad. We wanted revenge. The mexicans thought they could calm us down, they did, HA! Only when we're all dead I told my mates.
The first war of the Texas Revolution was the Battle of Gonzalves. And my, did that lead to tons of blood bath! Never seen anything like it, but I'm sure we'll win, we have to. So many losses, on both sides! Lives lost, healthy men injured.
In a letter to Governor Smith, I remember telling him, "the salvation of Texas depends in great measure on keeping Bexar out of the hands of the enemy. It serves as the frontier picquet guard, and if it were in the possession of Santa Anna, there is no stronghold from which to repel him in his march toward the Sabine."
Amen, to that. But all Texas needs is a little luck and a little God, and then, we're home free.
And oh, I forgot, the last post that was about Jim Bowie, not Bernice's, was mine
ReplyDelete-Karina George
I am Stephen F. Austin. On October 2, 1835 the Texas Revolution started. When it comes to war and things such as those, I always try to stay in peace. Some of the causes of this war was "freedom", we were tired of being controlled by Mexico and the dictator, Santa Anna. They began to rule everything! We had to share land- Texas y Coahuila and then when we decide to fight back for our rights they want war?! We needed to show that we could not be pushed around and taken for a joke. After we tried by sending letters and other things, I, Stephen F. Austin was put in jail. As I wrote to Houston, "The country must have organization, promptness and energy in the Consulation is all important. All depends on it". That is why, we had to fight back. For rights and things that were imporant to the Consulation and freedom was a part of that.
ReplyDelete<3 Ryan Williams
As Stephen F. Austin, I must agree with Juan Almonte that it was mostly Santa Anna's fault. My colonists respected me greatly, and I must say, I felt that I understood their feelings better than most. I will tell you that the colonists were very suspicious of the Mexicans and the Mexicans were wary of us too from the start. I suppose it was just our cultural differences; we simply did not understand each other well. Santa Anna was not wise to worsen these tensions. I tried my best to make peace and negotiate with Mexico, but of course it was in vain. Santa Anna had already not let Tejas be its own state, forced the colonists to be Mexican citizens and be Roman Catholic, limited immigration, and when he tried to control what crops we grew he really pushed it. I will also admit that Mexico rather neglected us in the beginning; they were too busy meddling with their own government affairs. They did not pay us much attention and I suppose this contributed to the colonists' resentment. Again I tried to help the colonists as best I could, but then I was imprisoned. I will not dwell on that period but I will say that was the most miserable time of my life. By the time I got out the revolution was already in full swing. I knew better than to try to stop the colonists; they were already so angry, so charged with the momentum of the revolt. It was either, like my good friend Travis said, victory or death at that point.
ReplyDeleteJuan Almonte: I completely understand your position of which side to take during the revolution. I imagine Juan Seguin had much the same dilemma as well. Santa Anna, your commander, was certainly your country's downfall. I know that you did not want such a revolution to happen; Santa Anna simply pushed the rights of the colonists too far. They simply, as free people, could not take such degradation.
-Megan Shen
The war? Why, it was quite a controversial thing. The Texians demanded freedom and their rights, which by all means us Mexicans owed to them. However, it is also understandable that our side could refuse and attempt to keep our grasp on Tejas. This was, of course, absolutely NO excuse for bloodshed. Why on earth it was necessary to prance about in a reign of terror in the sweet jewel of Tejas, rather than settle things in a simple negotiation, escapes my mind. I have traveled the land far and wide with Col. José María Díaz Noriega, and I must say that it was the Republic's most priceless asset. It was a shame for even me to see it go. And of course it put me to great shame when i was forced to surrender at San Jacinto and my capture as Prisoner of War. Although... the past is the past... and i pray there be no more devastation over sweet, sweet Tejas.
ReplyDeleteThe whole revolution was unnecessary. Many people- Mexicans and Texans alike- could’ve been spared. They didn’t have to die. If the Mexicans had left us alone (instead of turning paranoid and enforcing all these rules), the Texas revolution wouldn’t have happened. But no Texan want to live by the Mexican rules, so we decided to claim what was rightfully ours- independence.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the Mexican authorities caused the Texas Revolution. We wanted to speak our language, keep our culture, have our children go to our own schools separated from Mexicans, trade with the United States, and own slaves. Was that so hard for the Mexicans to accept? Obviously, it was. Mexican authorities became suspicious of us. They became paranoid that the United States was trying to take over Texas by using the colonists. Their result was to try to “take back” Texas; the Mexican government made its Constitutional prohibition against slavery known officially, established a chain of military posts occupied by criminal soldiers, restricted trade with the United States, and put an end to any further American immigration. These rules were too much. It seemed to me that the Mexicans had just given us the right to declare war on them. “Let your tongue speak what your heart thinks.”
-Sydney Stafford
(Davy Crockett)
Response: Jim Bowie
ReplyDeleteA prime example of the senselessness of the fight! I must admit that I love Tejas and wish it were part of Mexico today, but there was simply no need for all the struggle and strife! We could have worked things out diplomatically, rather than fighting like mad orangutans in ditches! My God, you were fighting with pneumonia! I know i probably shouldn't have sympathy for the enemy, but who could not when they are in such a condition!
-Juan Almonte (chaz neal)
I am Santa Anna. I am the leader of the Mexican Army. I led my troops to fight the Texans at the Alamo to bring back Texas under Mexico's control on March 6 1836. We killed 187-250 Texan defenders and later executed more than 350 Texan prisoners at the Goliad Massacre. Later, I was defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The next day, i was captured by a band of Texans led by James Sylvester. I was then forced to sign the Treaties of Velasco for the sake of my life, witch meant that Texas would be known as an Independent Republic."in his official character as chief of the Mexican nation, he acknowledged the full, entire, and perfect Independence of the Republic of Texas." said David G. Burnet. I was then returned back to Mexico City but i no longer served as the leader of the Mexican army.
ReplyDelete~Justin Hu
◕ ‿‿ ◕
As Juan Seguin, I believe that the Texas Revolution was very important. Life or death, I would still fight till the end for our independence and freedom from the Mexicans! I do believe that all of our efforts against the Spanish for freedom were worth it. “…on behalf which I had drawn my sword, with an earnest wish to see Texas free and happy." I believe that all of the Texan citizens should have equal rights and fight for it.
ReplyDelete-Dana Shay
As Sam Houston,commander-in-cheif, I think that the main cause of the revolution was racism. Another direct cause was a desire/need for freedom of being able to participate in our own government. "Texas will again lift it's head and stand among the nations. It ought to do so, for no country upon the globe can compare with it in natural advantages." During the war, American colonists in Texas obtained the independence of the area from Mexico and subsequently established a republic. I led a successful retreat, and other insurgents(people who rebelled) were defeated and massacred later in March. "I would lay down my life to defend any one of the States from aggression, which endangered peace or threatened its institutions. I could do more for the union, but I wish to do more; for the destruction of the union would be the destruction of all the States. A stab in the heart is worse then a cut in a limb, for this may be healed."
ReplyDeleteOther causes:
1.) The fact that Mexico expected the settlers to become (Mexicans/Spanish)was a cause because they provided no real (incentives/enticements) to do so.
2.)All settlers were (expected/forced) to become Roman Catholics-causing many to create conflicts.
3.)Settlers were to pay taxes, but the government provided no services. The government also didn't protect the Indians.
4.)The Mexican laws banned slavery, but many settlers brought slaves with them and fully expected to continue taking advantage of them. They resisted the government's efforts to end slavery.
5.)Settlers were also forced to speak Spanish, but most of them refused and wanted to continue speaking their native language. (Similarly, like #2, this also created conflicts.)
As a leader, I believe that all of these issues be addressed because "A leader is someone who helps improve the lives of other people or improve the system they live under."
- Amritaa Sreeram (SAM HOUSTON)
With all my heart and soul, I believe that the Texas Revolution was Santa Anna's own fault. He tried to keep us Texans (and the rest of Mexico) under lock and key by choking us of our freedom and doing away with the federalist Constitution of 1824. Naturally, we saw the dreadful Santa Anna supported by an all-powerful government as a threat, so we did what Texans do best: rise up above the enemy and FIGHT.
ReplyDeleteI give thanks to the brave fellow soldiers who died fighting for our freedom, and the almighty Lord who I had prayed to before the Battle of the Alamo. Other than the government, the Texans are also cause for the Texan Revolution (hence the name). If it weren't for their unceasing determination to be granted freedom and equal rights, a descendant of Santa Anna would most certainly still be in control nowadays.
I kept my word when I said that if I wasn't re-elected into the House of Representatives again, "…they could all go to hell and I will go to Texas," meaning that I'd join the Revolution. Additionally, Juan Almonte: I agree with you entirely. Your heart seems to be in the right place when you say that you understand how the Texans feel, but I don't understand why you remained loyal to Mexico. Bravo, on the other hand. It takes a gentleman to surrender their troops.
~Davy Crockett (Tiara Tanugraha)
I, Stephen F. Austin, have always been loyal to Mexicans, but all that changed when I realized that the politics in Mexico City soon became widly out of control. One minute Iturbide was made emperor and the next Santa Anna became emperor. There were unfair tax collectors who took more money than necessary while there were immigrants taking land and committing crime in Texas. There was also Santa Anna who was unfair to everyone including myself. I have tried to influence these problems, but I haven't succeed. "I had an ignorant, whimsical, selfish, and suspicious set of rulers over me," he later wrote,"a perplexed, confused colonization law to execute, and an unruly set of frontier North American republicans to control who felt...that they were beyond the arm of government or of law." After I was released out of jail, I spoke the truth to my people, " WAR is our only recourse."
ReplyDeleteSanta Anna is unfair to have sent myself, Stephen F. Austin, and you, Juan Almonte for jail. I had not a chance to prove that my letter to my friends in San Antonio was not a crime they could charge me against. I have always supported Mexico and to be treated like this was a disgrace. I also believe we are not the only ones who were ordered to jail unfairly. In my time in jail, I discovered that there were many educated men among my fellow prisoners. I hope this will stop or if not, there may be a war in the near future.
ReplyDeleteI, Sam Houston, believe that the Texas Revolution was caused by the citizens of Texas feeling that they were being treated unjustly. "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may." We were not willing to stand for how Mexico and Santa Anna, the villainous leader, treated us.
ReplyDeleteI am very proud to be the commanding general of the revolution army for Texas. I led the Texas army to victory over Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21st, 1836). I am very joyful that we are now free!
Juan Almonte: I am glad that you realize and understand the faults of Santa Anna and why we feel the way we do, but I wish that you DID ally yourself with rebel forces. There might have not been as many deaths during this war. You're lucky that you decided to surrender your troops, however, because we would've slaughtered them, easily, just like you thought we would!
-Kobe Ing
I, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, believe that the Texas Revolution was caused by the American settlers and their avarice for Mexican land. The Mexican Congress was kind but foolish in their decision to grant the filibusters a generous amount of land, as I stated in my autobiography. "These colonists were in possession of the vast and rich lands which an earlier Mexican Congress-with an unbelievable lack of discretion-had given them." In a way, this also puts the imprudent Mexican Congress at fault.
ReplyDeleteAfter the colonists acquired a large amount of land from Mexico, their lust for what they considered as "human rights" still was not quenched. Even our generous endowment of land was not enough, as the colonists desired their so-called "rights." As we would not grant them these rights, the colonists declared war.
Sam Houston (Kobe): You may feel that your men were being treated unfairly; however, nobody compelled you to live in Mexico. If you were dissatisfied with our centralized government, you had an opportunity to leave Mexico for the United States, where you would have obtained the rights and land that you desired. However, since you decided to remain in our country, you were forced to abide by our constitution, and should not have expected to receive further rights which were not granted to you.
*Amritaa agrees with Kobe's post very strongly- not so much with Tiara *
ReplyDeleteI support the fact that the Revolution was caused by the peoples of Texas because not everyone always agrees with one-another. Almost everyone has their own opinion about something until someone else suggests something that to them is better. < I hope that made sense.> When these dissagreements occur, people create conflicts & REVOLUTIONS!!!
...However, I really like the wording of Tiara's blog! :>...
- Amritaa Sreeram
Chaz(Juan....),
ReplyDeleteThe bloodbath was necessary if we wanted freedom. Peace does not exist yet, and I doubt, though I am upset to say it, that it ever will. There is nothing that can be done right without blood. Though we may wish it, it is always that the fittest come out strongest. We humans are only animals, hungry for more. We cannot help but thirst for more. Even if things were to be settled peacefully, it would never be perfect. With war, things are kept in balance, peace would only leave more confusion. And war also brings out the inner person, it helps us to realize who we are. It makes men manly. Though I would like peace throughout the world, a dream like that....I'm afraid is impossible. Even in households and communities alike, war goes on, war CANNOT, and WILL NOT be ended.No matter how much we thirst for peace, the great god intended it so.
~James Bowie
(Karina George)
(A continuation of my last blog post)
I think that the texas revolution was caused by texas wanting to be independent and not have a government like mexico. I , Juan Seguin said,"The Texans shall never surrender or retreat!", to the enemy lines during the Alamo. I was chosen to spread this message, because I can speak a little english and spanish.
ReplyDelete-Peter
I, David Crockett, believe that the Revolution was caused by us Texans because we wanted freedom. A few reasons were because our capital was so far away we wanted to be a free country and not be ruled by Santa Anna. "The party in power, like Jonah's gourd, grew up quickly, and will quickly fall."
ReplyDeleteI dissagree with you ,Juan Almonte (Tory Songyang) the revolution gave us our feedom from Mexico.
- Leila Sebbar
I, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, believe that the Texas Revolution began with a series of political and cultural clashes long before the first shots fired in Gonzales on October 2, 1835. The basic differences between the national habits and experiences of our Mexican rulers and the Anglo American settlers in Texas initially led to problems between the two groups. Misunderstanding was aggravated in the minds of our people by our conviction that the United States government was making use of the colonists to cause trouble in the hope of acquiring Texas by purchase or revolution.
ReplyDeleteMilitary incidents occurred in 1826, 1832, and 1835 preceding the decisive march to war in the fall of 1835.
"Without blood, without tears, there's no glory."
-Adam Garcia
(\_/)
(o..-)
(0=0)o
I, Sam Houston, think that there were three major things that led to the battle.
ReplyDelete1) Santa Anna not following the Constitution of 1824 and not giving Texans the freedom that they deserve. I understand his motive, because, I am too a general, and I know that we are both in search for power, all the power that we can get. But, I would say that Santa Anna tried to acquire it in the wrong way.
2) The Texans desire for freedom was obviously one of the greatest contributors leading to the war. But, do not think me wrong, I am not saying that the Texans did wrong wanting freedom, even though it may sound like it, all I am saying is that the Texans' desire for freedom, which was completely natural and acceptable, was a major contributor leading to the war. The citizens of Texas felt as if they were being treated badly, and not getting the basic rights that they very well deserve. I believe that the Texans had a very valid reason for being angry with Santa Anna, and I am willing to fight with them.\
-Anushka Madhuvarshi :)
I strongly agree with Kobe Tiara. As Kobe said, the Texans were, in fact, very unjustly treated, and had every reason to act upon it. Also, Tiara was right, because Santa Anna was a major contributor to the start of this war and he was mostly the reason this war ever happened. Though, to be honest, I thank Santa Anna for the way he acted, because even though he was completely wrong for gaining power in the way he was doing it, he led to the war, which was, in my belief, great for Texas and Texans because they got the freedom the deserved.
ReplyDelete-Anushka Madhuvarshi :)
Hello, I am Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and the Texas scum think to beat my glorious army of Mexican troops and battle. Who do they think they are? I have 6,000 well trained infantry, and they wish to fight me simply because they feel I am a dictator and not given them equal rights? Ha! They will be put back in their place, the dogs. Santa Anna will treat vermin as vermin should be treated!
ReplyDeletePalmer Funk
In response to Lielas comment:
ReplyDeleteYou think you could take me down? Even if, against all odds, you win, you cannont possibly run a whole country, for I am a great leader, the Napolean of the west, and none can match me for brilliance!
palmer funk
great job on the causes: sydney, stone, megan, chaz, and anthony: strong characterization by christine, tory and quote by Tiara:
ReplyDeleteI Juan Almonte, Santa Anna’s assistant, I think that the Texan Revolution was a pointless war, caused by miscommunication that would never have happened if Santa Anna had not excluded the Texans from their right. When the president appointed me as Santa Anna’s assistant, I remained loyal to my native country which was Mexico. When my report of Texas was completed, I concluded that Texas is the most valuable item that the Mexico has. I understood the Texans’ feelings, we felt the same way about spain. However, Texas was too valuable to us to lose. At the Alamo, it was I who was willing to accept any surrender the defenders offered, but Santa Anna insisted any surrender must be unconditional.
ReplyDeleteSam Houston Belives that Santa Anna was the cause of the Texas Revolution because had he not attacted at the Alamo, restricted trade,growing, and immigration as well as take away Texan land then the whole ordeal could have been avoided. Santa Anna became power mad and belived the since he was leader of Mexio that he could restrict the rights of his people and turned his government into a dictatorship. The only reason for conflict was because Myself and many other Texans and Mexicans were unhappy with Anna's rule. This conflict was accelereted when he unneccesarily massicered everyone at the Alamo alone with the unneccesary murder of commander James Fannin and his troops after they surrendered and were arrested. I here rest my case the Santa Anna was the caause of the Texas Revolution.
ReplyDelete