Mock Trial of Santa Anna
An entire class can participate in a mock trial of Santa Anna. The defendant is accused of crimes against the state (the overturn of Mexican constitution of 1824 and making war) and crimes against the citizens of Texas (including murder). The scene is a pioneer courtroom (perhaps a frontier house) following the Battle at San Jacinto (which won the Texas Revolution and resulted in Santa Anna's capture). The participants are (1) a judge, (2) the jury, (3) a team of prosecuting lawyers, (4) a team of defense lawyers, (5) Santa Anna himself as the defendant, (6) one or more security guards to maintain order, (7) witnesses, and (7) perhaps a group of courtroom spectators. Witnesses can include soldiers in the Texas army, settlers, and both Texan and Mexican politicians.
- Debate Skills--This is a good opportunity to teach debate. It may be that many will not have had debate or speech training and will not understand simple skills such as speaking slowly and loud enough for all to hear, developing arguments as a list of definitive statements or conclusions, or defending a position in a positive and confident manner.
- The prosecution--It is not difficult for students of American history to take the prosecution against Santa Anna. The man was a tyrant who overturned the constitution of his own government to assume the powers of a dictator. He was ruthless in the handling of his opponents-summary executions, arbitrary punishments, public humiliations. There was no attempt on his part to follow the rules of honor in regard to captured prisoners--Texans captured in battle were executed as a group even though they had honorably surrendered. He used women.
- The defense--In any trial there must be a defense, and the defending team should try to say something positive about Santa Anna, regardless of personal sentiments. In fact, the man was a formidable Mexican leader. He pulled the nation of Mexico together, albeit by tyrannical means, during a time of great changes and instability in that country. He had a gift for motivating troops to battle on the field. He saw his duty to remove the American presence in Texas, and from his point of view, this was a sacred trust. He saw the Americans as a threat to his nation and he was true to his perceived obligation to remove the threat. In selecting defense lawyers (or a defense team) the teacher should try to select students with a gift for debate and the ability to argue either a pro or con position in an argument. Be sensitive that some students will not be able to take a debate position contrary to their personal feelings.
- Sam Houston's Choice--Santa Anna was captured at the Battle of San Jacinto, which was more than a month after the Alamo massacre, and was the battle which won Texas freedom. Sam Houston led the Texas forces. Houston made a wise decision with regard to Santa Anna after the battle. There were many who wanted him executed, but Houston preferred to bargain with Santa Anna and trade his life for Texas independence. A living Santa Anna could still make treaties in the name of the government of Mexico.