On This Day, October 2, 1835, a pivotal event in American history occurred as tensions between Mexico and Texas escalated into open conflict in the Battle of Gonzales. This clash marked the beginning of the Texas Revolution, a fight for independence from Mexico.
The immediate cause of the battle was a small cannon given to the settlers of Gonzales by the Mexican government years earlier for protection against Native American raids. As hostilities grew, Mexican authorities decided to retrieve the cannon to prevent its use in a rebellion. However, the people of Gonzales, rallying behind the now-famous slogan “Come and Take It,” refused to surrender the cannon, seeing the demand as a symbol of the increasing oppression from the Mexican government under President Antonio López de Santa Anna.
When Mexican soldiers arrived to retrieve the cannon, they were met by Texan settlers who resisted, leading to a skirmish known as the Battle of Gonzales. Though the battle was relatively minor in terms of casualties and tactics, it had a significant psychological impact, igniting the Texan war for independence.
The Texan Revolution, which ensued following the Battle of Gonzales, was a crucial chapter in the history of both Texas and the United States. It led to the establishment of the Republic of Texas and, later, the annexation of Texas into the United States. The events at Gonzales on October 2, 1835, set in motion a series of events that would profoundly shape the region’s history.
