Amid increasing tension between its Mexican rulers and Anglo-American occupants, revolution broke out in Texas on October 2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales. Joined by many Tejanos—or Texans of Spanish or Mexican heritage—the settlers formed a volunteer army to fight the thousands of Mexican troops commanded by General Antonio López de Santa Anna that had crossed over the Rio Grande. After crushing losses at both the Alamo and Goliad, the rebel forces defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, forcing Santa Anna to withdraw all of his troops from Texas.

The following month, the general met with ad interim president David G. Burnet to sign the Treaties of Velasco, which ended hostilities, recognized Texas independence, and ordered the Mexican army beyond the Rio Grande—thereby establishing the river as the border between the two countries. While the Republic of Texas became a de jure state in the eyes of many nations, Mexico rejected the terms and refused to recognize Texas independence. Consequently, Texas—and particularly the land between the Rio Grande and the Nueces River, known as the NUECES STRIP—was considered disputed territory by Mexico.

Texas: The Tejanos, Part II
Hosted by Houston news anchor Bill Balleza, “Texas: The Tejanos” is part of a 1970s educational film series produced by KHOU-TV. Part II highlights the experience of native Texans during various military conflicts in the 19th century, such as the Mexican War of Independence, the Texas Revolution, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War.