Texas Invades New Mexico
Santa Anna II
Lead: On April 21, 1836 the surprise defeat of Santa Anna by Sam Houston at San Jacinto assured the independence of Texas.
Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.
Content: In early 1836 Mexico’s president and military general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna marched his army into Texas, then part of Mexico, to quell a rebellion of settlers who were fighting for Texas’ independence. At the Alamo Santa Anna issued a “take no prisoners” order and word of the resulting massacre began to spread. 1,400 new volunteers swelled the ranks of Sam Houston’s rag-tag army. Through artful maneuvering, Houston was able to avoid direct confrontation while he built and trained his men in anticipation of the showdown with Santa Anna.
Santa Anna I
Lead: In February 1836, Mexican troops, led by General Santa Anna, surrounded, attacked, defeated and killed a group of rebellious Texans at the Alamo.
Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.
Content: Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was born in Jalapa, Mexico, in 1794. He began a long and controversial military career at the age of 16 gaining prestige when he led Mexican resistance to Spain’s 1829 attempt at re-conquering the country. Four years later he was elected President. Gaining a reputation as an erratic leader, he then led a coup against his own government and established himself as dictator. The colorful, flamboyant Santa Anna loved glory, luxury, ceremony, beautiful women and opium. Not necessarily in that order.
Mexico: Spanish Conquest and Rule
Lead: For almost 300 years after 1521, Mexico was a colony of Spain and known as “La Nueva España” or New Spain. It was the crown jewel in Spain’s holdings in the New World.
Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.
Content: After the Spanish conquered the Aztecs in 1521, Mexico grew to include most of present day Central America and the southwestern United States. The colonial period lasted until the revolt of 1810 – which was led by a priest, Miguel Hidalgo, known today as the father of Mexico’s independence.