How did William Travis’ actions contribute to the beginning of the Texas Revolution?
• Travis led attacks on San Antonio to instigate Mexican troops to start a war.
• Travis led attacks on Mexican officials at Anahuac to get Texas to rebel against Mexico.
• Travis led attacks to seize control of Goliad to capture Mexican soldiers.
• Travis led attacks along the Brazos River to create a blockade for Mexican troops.
To determine how William Travis' actions contributed to the beginning of the Texas Revolution, we need to evaluate the provided options.
1. Travis led attacks on San Antonio to instigate Mexican troops to start a war.
This option suggests that Travis actively initiated attacks on San Antonio, provoking Mexican troops to engage in a conflict. However, historical records do not support this claim. Travis did participate in the Texian (Texan colonists) rebellion, but he did not solely instigate Mexican troops to start a war through attacks on San Antonio.
2. Travis led attacks on Mexican officials at Anahuac to get Texas to rebel against Mexico.
Attacks on Mexican officials at Anahuac did occur during the Texas Revolution. However, it is important to note that the Texas Revolution was already underway at this point, and Travis' actions were part of a broader movement rather than being solely responsible for the rebellion.
3. Travis led attacks to seize control of Goliad to capture Mexican soldiers.
This option suggests that Travis played a role in capturing Mexican soldiers at Goliad. While Travis did participate in the siege and capture of the Mexican garrison at the Presidio La Bahía in Goliad, he was not the sole leader. His actions, along with those of other Texian rebels, contributed to the beginning of the Texas Revolution by actively opposing Mexican rule and capturing Mexican soldiers.
4. Travis led attacks along the Brazos River to create a blockade for Mexican troops.
There is no historical evidence to suggest that Travis led attacks along the Brazos River to create a blockade for Mexican troops. It is unlikely that this option accurately describes Travis's actions during the Texas Revolution.
Based on the evaluation of the options, the most accurate statement is that Travis led attacks to seize control of Goliad to capture Mexican soldiers. This action contributed to the beginning of the Texas Revolution by actively opposing Mexican rule and capturing Mexican soldiers, ultimately escalating the conflict between the Texian rebels and Mexican forces.