In the early years of colonization the settlers worked hard at clearing land, planting crops, building homes and defending themselves against Indian attacks. Most of the early Anglo-American colonists in Texas took their pledge to become good Mexican citizens very much to heart. But the political upset following the Mexican 1828 presidential election raised doubts about the Mexican governments ability to function in a representative manner.
Unrest in Texas increased when the Mexicans began reinforcing existing garrisons and setting up new ones. But a major point of contention came with the decree of April 6, 1830. This move all but banned further American immigration into Texas. The decree also sought to control slavery in the colony. Many early colonist were not slave owners themselves, but most were Southerns and slavery was a cultural institution they supported.
Stephen Austin raised objections about the decree to the Mexican government. He felt that the prohibition against American immigration would not stop the flow of Anglos into Texas. He predicted that it would only stop the stable, prosperous Americans from coming. Austin was proven correct, as the population rose from 15,000 in 1830 to 35,000 by 1836.
More turmoil came when Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna assumed supreme authority of the Mexican government and began dismantling the federalist system. One of Santa Anna's most offensive dictates was the reduction of state militias to one man per 500 population. The intent was to eliminate possible armed opposition. But liberals in the state of Zacatecas in central Mexico rebelled. Santa Anna's response was swift and brutal. Even after victory over the insurgents, the state capital was sacked. Santa Anna wanted to make an example that he hoped would stop any further rebellion.
The Coahuila y Texas legislature at Monclova criticized Santa Anna's reputation on federalism in 1834, by spring of 1835 Santa Anna had broken up the state government at Monclova and installed a new one at Saltillo. Texas were in a state of upset over the breakdown in state government. Texas politics were becoming polarized. One faction wanted to break away from Mexico altogether, while another urged calm and ride out the storm. Most of the settlers chose neither side, but a wait and see stance.
Santa Anna, fresh from putting down the rebellion in Zacatecas, turned his attention to Texas. He was determined to regarrison the state and the settlers were set to keep the soldiers out. The settlement at Gonzales had borrowed a six-pound cannon from the local garrison to fight Indians. On October 2, 1835 the Mexicans made an attempt to retrieve the cannon. Officials at Gonzales refused and placed a flag that read "come-and-take-it" over the cannon. A brief skirmish with the Mexican troops became the first battle of the Texas Revolution.
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