Conflicts between Americans and Mexicans existed years before
the Texas Revolution. Many quarrels resulted from differing opinions on how to deal with various issues accompanied with diversity of
cultures and tradition. Based on Spanish heritage, Mexicans had no religious tolerance and believed that Catholicism should be the only religion.
Conflict arose when Americans began moving into Texas keeping their religious beliefs, primarily Protestant, and not obeying Mexican laws.
Afraid United States President Andrew Jackson would try to claim Texas as American territory, the Mexican Congress made settling in Texas illegal
for United States citizens. The Mexican government also combined Texas and Coahuila making one large state to supervise Texas. American settlers
opposed the Mexican government and began protesting in 1832-1833. Around this time, Mexico had acquired a new commander-in-chief, Antonio Lopez
de Santa Anna.
Santa Anna, a poor leader, increased tensions between the United States and Mexico. In 1834, he declared a dictatorship saying, “Mexico was not
ready for democracy,” and in 1835 he eliminated local governments in order to closely oversee disputed territory.
The map shows the disputed territory that caused Texas to want independence from Mexico. After the Texas Revolution,
Texas would gain the disputed area possessing the land through the present. Map courtesy of The Alamo by Dennis Fradin.
The conflict worsened in October 1835 when the small town of Gonzales, just outside of San Antonio, resisted the dictator’s control. The town was
given one cannon to use for protection against Native American attacks; however, the citizens resisted Santa Anna’s power so the Mexican army was
sent to retrieve the cannon. The Mexicans were unsuccessful because the community had gathered together and began firing at the army. Santa Anna
was furious and ordered all rebellious Texans to be disarmed and arrested; the order was to be carried out by 700 soldiers led by Martin Perfecto de Cos.
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