In 1824 Mexico enacted a constitution establishing a representative republic style of government similar to that of the United States.  Congress was made up of a Chamber of Deputies, which consisted of 1 member for every 80,000 Mexican residents; and a Senate, consisting of two senators for each Mexican state.  Also established by this constitution was an 11-member Supreme Court, and an executive office in which the President and Vice President would be elected to four-year terms by the individual state congresses.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna had risen through the ranks of the Mexican military, opportunistically switching loyalties as it suited him.  After siding with Augustin de Iturbide, the Emperor of Mexico, in 1821, he was rewarded with the rank of General.  By 1823 he was siding against the Emperor in the plan to overthrow him and make Mexico a republic.  The overthrow was successful; the republic was not.

Santa Anna was elected President in 1833, replacing assassinated Vicente Guerrero.  In 1835 a new "constitution" was drafted, essentially a set of documents declaring martial law, abolishing states rights, and giving Santa Anna himself dictatorial power.

Armed rebellions broke out throughout Mexico.  Several Mexican states attempted to secede.  Yucatan seceded to form the Republic of Yucatan.  Coahuila (the southern portion of the state of Coahuila y Tejas), Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas joined together to form the Republic of the Rio Grande.  The rebellions in the these states were quashed and the errant states were forced to once again become part of Mexico.

Having put down the rebellions closer to home, Santa Anna and his forces began heading north to Texas.  On February 16, 1836, they crossed the Rio Grande.

to be continued...