Texas Revolution of 1836 - Essay Example

?Texas Revolution of 1836 Texas Revolution of 1836 The following report is about the books ‘The Texan Revolution of 1836: a concise historical perspective based on original sources’ written by the author Roger Borroel in the year 1989. This book is about the Texan revolution that initiated in the year 1835 and ended in 1836. This book is a historical perspective which is based on original sources as suggested by the title of the book. The sources used are authentic and there is enough detail provided regarding each source used. Interested readers and researchers can also trace down the sources in order to ensure the credibility of the sources. The use of original sources is the fact that adds towards the credibility of the books. Roger Borroel, the author of the book, is a Vietnam veteran who was in the 101st Airborne Division during the year 1968-1969. He graduated from Purdue University in 1980. He has conducted significant research and published over 15 works on the Texas Revolution of 1836. From the sources presented in the book, it can be said that the author has done enough research on the subject matter and he has presented it in a convincing manner. It can be inferred that he retains enough qualifications for writing this book. The Structure of the Book The book is written as a concise historical perspective and in order to add concreteness to the information given in the book, the author has also added numerous illustrations in the book. There are twenty-four pictures, drawings and other illustrations and the book is stretched over 238 pages. There is a comprehensive index provided at the start of the book which makes it easier for the reader to find out any specific piece of information. Since there are a number of events that are relevant with the Texan revolution, therefore it is normally difficult for readers to find out a specific event in the history, however this book is written in a chronological sequence of events which makes it significantly easy for the readers to find out a relevant event or document. The sources used in the book are; official governmental papers, reports, intelligent opinions, diaries, reports, and noted personal observations. This book includes translated Mexican Army documents which were never translated before in order to let the reader have an insight regarding the war. This is one of the factors that add to the credibility of the books therefore the title of the book also suggests that the historical perspective is based on original sources. Book Summary The Texan revolution was a conflict that grew into a war between Mexico and the settlers in the Texas which was a part of a state of Mexico. The war officially started from 2 October 1835. The events that triggered the conflict between the government and the American settlers in Texas were the series of legislative changes brought by the Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. He modified the Mexican constitution and turned it into a more centralized constitution which empowered the government and endangered the rights of the citizens. One of the most prominent factors was the Siete Leyes (Seven Laws) passed in 1835 by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. These laws modified the very basis of the structure of the Mexican government. The first law provided that citizenship will be granted to those who were able to read and had a specified annual income except domestic workers. The second law gave power to the President to close Congress and overpower the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation. Military officers were also disempowered from assuming this office. The third law provided for a bicameral Congress of Deputies and Senators which would be elected by the government. The fourth law specified the manner of selection of the President and Vice president. The fifth law specified the manner of selection of the 11 member Supreme Court. The sixth law holds significant important as this law was responsible for the increased centralization brought the by these laws. The sixth law replaced the federal republic’s states with departments which were more centralized whose legislators and governors were designated by the President. The seventh law prohibited any modification of the new laws for a period of six years. The above mentioned laws hold significant importance in triggering the Texan revolution as they were focused on empowering the President and they held back the rights of the states. The rights of the citizens were also impaired due to the introduction of the new criteria for citizenship. The settlers in different states started feeling insecure about their rights and thus the rebellion was set off. On 2nd October 1835, the Battle of Gonzales began and the Texan settlers retained their side. After the Battle of Goliad, the settlers occupied the presidio at Goliad. The army started marching towards San Antonio afterwards. Later, the Mexican troops retreated after the Battle of Concepcion. The Texans embraced one after another victory against the Mexican forces which were compelled to retreat. In November, the Texan consultation met in order to form a new government. The consultation determined to bring back the previous constitution which was modified by the President Santa Anna. On 1st February 1836, elections were held in Texas for a convention for independence. These elections hold significant importance in the history of Texan revolution as they represent the will of the settlers to break free from the unjust government and to have an independent piece of land. On March 2nd 1836, Texas Declaration of Independence was signed and as a result, Republic of Texas was declared. The Mexican army kept trying to take back the control of Texas under the directions from Santa Anna but the Texans kept them at bay and compelled them to retreat at each step. Texan and Mexican armies kept clashing at different places but ultimately, on 21 April 1836, Texan army under the directions of San Houston defeated Mexican army in the Battle of San Jacinto and secured Texas as independent. Afterwards, treaties were signed between Texans and Mexican officials and Texas was declared and accepted as independent1. Conclusion From the subject matter of the book and the authentic manner in which it is presented, it can be concluded that this book is one of the best works regarding the Texan revolution of 1836. It provides a concise but accurate account of the events that led the revolution along with the original documents and other credible sources. Therefore, I would recommend this book to others because a reader can acquire an authentic account of a very important part of the history from this book. Works Cited Borroel, Roger. The Texan Revolution of 1836: a concise historical perspective based on original sources. East Chicago, IN: La Villita, 1989. Read More