Santa Anna's move to bring Texas under the political domination of Mexico City pushes the Texans to secede from Mexico on November 7, 1835, and to declare their independence in March 1836.

In 1835 Santa Anna marches north in the direction of San Antonio with an army of three thousand men.

He reaches San Antonio in March 1836 and learns that about one hundred and fifty armed Texans have taken refuge at an old Franciscan mission, called the Alamo

He lays siege to the mission for several days before the final attack on March 6, 1836.

The Mexican force takes the mission the next day, killing all but five of the defenders in battle (the five prisoners are later executed).

On March 23, the Texan town of Goliad is surrounded by Mexican forces, who compel the Texan commander in charge to surrender.

On express orders from Santa Anna, three hundred and sixty-five prisoners were executed.

The events at the Alamo and at Goliad stir strong anti-Mexican sentiment in the United States.

Volunteer fighters pour into Texas to stage a decisive blow against Santa Anna.

The Mexican commander in chief and his army are ambushed and roundly defeated near the San Jacinto River by a force commanded by Sam Houston on April 21.

Santa Anna, who had fled the scene of the battle, is captured by the Texans two days later.