Subject: RE: BS: Remember the Alamo
From:
Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Mar 06 - 08:06 PM
Those at the meetings that led to the Texas Republic took advantage of the fact that under Santa Ana and his rich landowner support, many in the area considered their freedom was restricted and the constitution had been subverted. Of those who formed the Republic, only 2 were native Texans, one had been born in Mexico, and the majority were from the United States and Europe. Only ten had been in Texas in 1836. Those at the meetings at Washington-on-the-Brazos were a mix of developers, entrepreneurs and politicians. Sam Houston, a close friend of President Jackson, and chosen commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army, had been governor of Tennessee and a U. S. Congressman. George Childress, who had recently visited President Jackson, presented the resolution calling for independence.
Now some might think that Jackson's hand was behind the movement for independence- and the war with Mexico already in his plans.
In 1836, Texas had a population of about 38000, of whom 5000 were slaves. It is true that actions of the Mexican government threatened slavery in the region, and kept some planters from the old South from emigrating or expanding to the rich lands of east Texas, but the real expansion of slavery came following the acquisition of Texas by the United States.
Data from The Handbook of Texas.
Concerning the Alamo itself, holing up at the old mission was a mistake, as Little Hawk notes, but Santa Anna was a really great blunderer. It is doubtful, however, that Mexico could have held on to the Southwest since Jackson and other leaders in the U. S. government were determined to push to the Pacific.
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