Exploros | Two Revolutions: Texan and American

Engage

Overview

In this experience, students review basic information about the Texan and American Revolutions. Then, they compare and contrast the two. Next, they explore the life of Tejano officer Juan Seguín. Finally, they write a letter from a veteran of the Revolutionary War to his grandson who is considering volunteering for the Texan Army.

You may want to allow extra time for the students to prepare their comparisons and to review one another’s work.

Note that there is no quiz at the end of this experience.

Objectives:

Review the causes and course of the Texan Revolution.
Compare and contrast the Texan Revolution and the American Revolution.

In this experience you will identify similarities and differences between the Texas Revolution and the American Revolution.

Objectives:

Review the causes and course of the Texan Revolution.
Compare and contrast the Texan Revolution and the American Revolution.

many men look on as two men discuss matters. One is lying on the ground

The Surrender of Santa Anna, by William Henry Huddle

men in different uniforms hold a discussion outdoors

The Surrender of General Burgoyne (at Saratoga), by John Trumball

First, study the two paintings shown above: The Surrender of Santa Anna at San Jacinto, marking the end of the Texas Revolution, and the Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, a key American victory considered the turning point of the American Revolutionary War.

Make some observations about the paintings—what are some similarities and what are some differences in the scenes?

Post your answer

Students may notice some of the following similarities and differences:

Similarities:

The general from the mother country is surrendering to the general of the revolutionaries.
Both surrenders took place under large trees in the field instead of in a tent or office.

Differences:

The Texas general (Sam Houston) is injured; the American general (George Washington) is not.
The Texan army does not have formal uniforms; the American army does.
The only weapons shown in the painting of Santa Anna’s surrender are rifles; the painting of Burgoyne’s surrender shows a cannon and a horse.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next part.

You have been studying the Texas Revolution. In order to compare it to the American Revolution, let’s see what you know about this earlier war.

Submit a fact you know about the American Revolutionary War. If someone has already posted the fact you know, try to think of a different one to post.

Students do not need to post a response in order to be able to move on to the next scene.

Review the following points about the American Revolutionary War with students:

It was between the British royalty and the American colonists.
The colonists wanted independence from England.
The colonists had many grievances against the British, including taxation without representation and the mercantile system.
The war lasted for 8 years, from 1775 to 1783.
George Washington was Commander-in-Chief for the colonists.
The first shots were fired in the Battle of Lexington and Concord.
There are many legends about it, like the ride of Paul Revere.
France gave support to the American colonists against the British.
The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.

When everyone is ready to continue, unlock the next scene.