7th- 12th Grade
Grade Level
Time Requirement
90- 120 Minutes
Introduction
The War for Mexican Independence (1810—1821) and the age of the empresarios (1820s – 1830s) both had an enormous influence on the conflict that evolved into the Texas Revolution. The Mexican Independence movement planted seeds for a democratic, representative government in the hearts and minds of those living in Texas.
The war was devastating for San Antonio. Nearly half of its population perished during the struggle for independence. Frequently the target of raids by indigenous people and never having received appropriate government support, San Antonio’s existence was not guaranteed. Furthermore, colonists immigrating to Texas in the age of the empresarios brought with them similar notions of representative government. In contrast to their Mexican counterparts, Anglo’s coming to Texas were more philosophically informed by the United States own struggle for independence fifty years before.
The Texas Revolution might seem like an isolated event, but it is deeply rooted in the intersectional histories and events of a diverse group of stakeholders in the decades that preceded the short-lived Republic of Texas (1836—1845). Historians are tasked with synthesizing complex histories into comprehensible narratives. They must decide what information is worthy of inclusion. In this activity, students step into the shoes of historians and collaboratively construct a timeline of events leading up to the Texas Revolution.
Objectives
Timelines can be an effective tool to help students organize events, identify relationships, and explore causality. Texas Independence was not a foregone conclusion, and it didn’t happen in isolation. In this lesson, through a collaborative activity and group discussion, students should critically assess the events that led to the movement for Texan independence. Through a collaborative protocol, each student has an opportunity to have their ideas, understandings, and perspective enhanced by hearing from others. Using this lesson, students can explore the holistic historical narrative of the period leading up to the Texas Revolution and question why certain events are considered important and why others are lesser known.
Standards
Social Studies
7.1(A) identify the major eras in Texas history, describe their defining characteristics, and explain the purpose of dividing the past into eras, including... Mexican National; Revolution and Republic;
7.1(B) Explain the significance of the following dates: ... 1821, Independence from Spain; 1836, Texas independence;
7.2(C) Identify important events and issues related to European colonization of Texas
7.2(D) Identify the individuals, issues, and events related to Mexico becoming an independent nation and its impact on Texas, including Texas involvement in the fight for independence, Jose Gutierrez de Lara, the battle of Medina, the Mexican federal Constitution of 1824, the merger of Texas and Coahuila as a state, and the State Colonization Law of 1825, and slavery
7.2(E) identify the individuals, issues, and events related to Mexico becoming an independent nation and its impact on Texas, including Father Miguel Hidalgo, Texas involvement in the fight for independence, José Gutiérrez de Lara, the Battle of Medina, the Mexican federal Constitution of 1824, the merger of Texas and Coahuila as a state, the State Colonization Law of 1825, and slavery
7.2(F) identify the contributions of significant individuals, including Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt, during the Mexican settlement of Texas
7.3(A) describe the chain of events that led to the Texas Revolution, including the Fredonian Rebellion, the Mier y Terán Report, the Law of April 6, 1830, the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, and the arrest of Stephen F. Austin
7.3(B) explain the roles played by significant individuals during the Texas Revolution, including George Childress, Lorenzo de Zavala, James Fannin, Sam Houston, Antonio López de Santa Anna, Juan N. Seguín, and William B. Travis
7.6 (F) respond using newly acquired vocabulary as appropriate
Materials
Click the links below to download the materials.