Quest for Freedom

Quest for Freedom

Instructional Objectives (4th Grade)

1. The student will understand why most Texians wanted to be free from the rule of Mexico.

2. The student will understand major events that fueled the Revolution.

TEKS

SOCIAL STUDIES History (4.3.A, 4.3.E ) The student can analyze the causes, major events, and effects of the Texas Revolution. The student can identify leaders important to the founding of Texas as a Republic and state such as Sam Houston.

Materials

Blank chart entitled "Major Events of the Revolution" (download chart)
Pens and markers
Computer
Props or costumes, if desired

Resources

The Handbook of Texas Online (articles specified in the Explanation) www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online
Pictures of the eight pencil sketches by Charles Shaw from the museum's "Road to Independence" exhibit

Getting Ready for the Lesson

Background information:

1. Reasons that settlers in Texas did not want to be under Mexican rule:

The Law of April 30, 1830 which prohibited immigration from the United States
Mexico had discouraged trade between Texas and foreign countries by imposing customs duties on imports to Mexico.
Santa Anna had failed to accept the Mexican Constitution of 1824 which gave the settlers many rights.
Mexico had poor court and postal systems.

2. Some Texians were loyal to Mexican rule, but more and more resented regulations on immigration and refused to pay the tariffs on imports.

Preparation of the Learning Environment

Teacher should print copies of the blank chart entitled "Major Events of the Revolution" for each student. Teacher should also be prepared to show the pencil sketches from the museum exhibit to the class on the computer, or download them to show the class.

TEACHING PROCEDURE:

Motivation

Lead the students in a discussion on how they would feel if one day their teacher came into the classroom and informed them that the classroom rules had changed. The new rules were unfair and did not follow the school's policies. Students were also going to be charged a fee for going to recess and going to the library. What would they do?

Explanation

Have the students read each of the following articles that detail an event of the Revolution. The titles below can be found in The Handbook of Texas Online.

ANAHUAC DISTURBANCES:

In May of 1832, William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack were arrested and imprisoned on orders from the Mexican commander at Anahuac, John Bradford. As a strict enforcer of all Mexican laws regarding tariffs, Bradford became very unpopular with the Texian colonists and was eventually removed from his duties. He did not like the fact that Travis had organized a civil militia and he worked to discourage immigration by Anglo - Americans.

BATTLE OF VELASCO:

On June 26, 1832 while trying to pass through Velasco, a fierce battle was fought between Mexican troops led by Domingo de la Ugqartechea and a group of Texians with John Austin and Henry Smith. They were trying to bring a cannon by ship to help the Texians at Anahuac. The Texians won, but found out Travis and Jack had already been freed when they got to Anahuac.

GONZALES "COME AND TAKE IT" CANNON:

On October 2, 1835 at Gonzales the first battle between Mexican troops and Texian colonists was fought when the colonists would not give up a cannon that they had been given to protect themselves against Indian attacks. Mexican General Cos considered this as an outbreak of war.

GOLIAD MASSACRE:

In the spring of 1836, Texian soldiers were willing to fight and die for independence at many places such as San Antonio, San Patricio, and San Jacinto. The ruthless actions by Santa Anna (especially at Goliad) made them more determined to be free from Mexican rule.

ALAMO:

The Mexican army advanced to fight the Texians. All the Texians were killed in the battle on March 6, 1836.

LYNCHBURG, TEXAS:

On April 20, 1836 the Texas army seized the Lynchburg Ferry. It was located on the San Jacinto River below Buffalo Bayou. Santa Anna did not want the Texian army retreating across it, but now he was the one who lost it.

VINCE'S BRIDGE:

On April 20, Deaf Smith destroyed Vince's Bridge. Its destruction would keep reinforcements from reaching Santa Anna. It is also reported that this is the place close to where Santa Anna was captured.

BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO:

Independence from Mexico came on April 21, 1836 when the Texas army, led by Gen. Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna's army at San Jacinto.

Practice

The students will use the information from the articles to fill in the chart entitled "Major Events of the Revolution." Each student should have a chart. Teachers may want divide the class into eight groups and assign each event to a different group. They can research the information to fill in their assigned event on the chart, then share their information with the class. The class will fill in their charts, based on each group's presentation.

Extension

The students can role play the "Major Events of the Revolution." Using the eight pencil sketches from the museum exhibit to get ideas, each group can present their own interpretation of the event they researched. Props or costumes could be added for a more effective presentation.

Evaluation

Groups can be graded on the accuracy of their information.

Closure

Have the class vote on whether or not they think Texians should have declared themselves free from Mexico, based on the information they gathered for their charts.

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