The Alamo was under siege when 59 delegates gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos for the Convention of 1836.
The colonists had petitioned Mexico for statehood. They had asked for relief from high taxes. They asked for fair treatment under the 1824 Constitution. Santa Anna refused.
On March 2, 1836 they stopped asking. Instead they gathered to formally declare their independence from Mexico. They justified their action by claiming
- that the Mexican government had stopped protecting the lives, liberty, and property of the citizens,
- that the once restricted federal republic had become a consolidated central power headed by a military dictator,
- that when the people of Texas had complained, their agents (i.e. Stephen F. Austin) had been thrown into prison,
- that the welfare of Texas had taken a back seat to the interests of Coahuila (the southern part of the Mexican state),
- that the government had failed to provide public education, fair trials by jury, religious freedom, and other essentials,
- that the government had stirred up the Indians to attack and kill Texas settlers,
- that the Mexican government had invaded Texas with a hired army to “lay waste” to the territory,
- and that the Mexican government had been overthrown by military revolutions until it “continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrannical government.”
There would be a long battle ahead, but from this date Texians considered the Republic of Texas a free and independent nation.
Teaching Tips:
If at all possible, plan a field trip to the Star of the Republic Museum at Washington on the Brazos to see the birthplace of Texas.
If you haven’t already, now would be a good time to download your FREE copy of our Texas Timeline Game!
