In Revolution and the New Republic (1835-1836), students in grades 6-8 will examine the chaotic and divisive period of the Texas Revolution. The region’s fight for independence from Mexico unfolded with widespread consequences for all its inhabitants. This book covers the events, conflicts, and major figures that shaped Texas’s path to becoming an independent republic.

During the Texas Revolution, public opinion was sharply divided. Some Anglo settlers feared the destruction that war could bring, while others, particularly newer arrivals, pushed for independence from Mexico. Most Tejanos viewed the conflict as part of Mexico’s larger civil war between Santa Anna’s centralist government and the federalists who supported restoring the Constitution of 1824. As the war progressed, enslaved African Americans sought opportunities for freedom by fleeing to the Mexican Army, and women in Texas were often left to care for their families alone while men went off to fight.

When fighting broke out in October 1835, the Texans were not united on their ultimate goal—some were fighting to restore Mexico’s Constitution of 1824, while others were determined to secure independence. In early 1836, Santa Anna’s forces advanced into Texas, besieging the Alamo. Shortly after, on March 2, 1836, a delegation of Texans declared independence, solidifying the region’s break from Mexico.

The conflict brought significant destruction to Texas. The fall of the Alamo, the massacre at Goliad, and the Runaway Scrape, where families fled advancing Mexican forces, all contributed to the widespread devastation. Both armies burned towns and homes as the war ravaged the region. Despite overwhelming odds, Sam Houston’s army won surprisingly at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, securing Texas’s independence.

Aligned with US History curriculum standards for grades 6-8, this book offers a detailed yet accessible look at the Texas Revolution. Through engaging narratives, maps, and illustrations, students will learn about the key events and figures of the revolution while gaining a deeper understanding of how the war impacted Texans from all walks of life and set the course for the creation of the Texas Republic.