The Lone Star Republic Chapter 12 Texas History Coach Fletcher

Question: On a sheet of paper write a couple of sentences to the three questions: How would we be considered a Republic in the following areas: A Nation A State A Town

Objective: After finishing this lesson you should be able to: Know the significance of the Treaty of Velasco. Compare and Contrast Houston’s Administration with Lamar’s Administration. Evaluate the points of views of Texas Annexation.

Republic of Texas A republic is a form of government in which voters elect representatives to carry out the wishes of the majority of citizens. Texas was known as the Republic of Texas. Capital located in Houston.

Treaty of Velasco After the battle of the Alamo, the Texas government was moved to Velasco at the Mouth of the Brazos River. There Santa Anna was taken to sign two treaties called the Treaty of Velasco.

Treaty of Velasco Santa Anna signed two treaties: 1. Was Made Public- A. Santa Anna promised to never fight Texas again B. ordered all Mexican soldiers out of Texas C. exchange of Mexican and Texas soldiers back to each side D. all property Mexico took from Texas had to be returned

Treaty of Velasco 2. Kept Private-In exchange for Santa Anna’s freedom he agreed A. to get the Mexican government to recognize the independence of Texas B. Texas would secretly escort Santa Anna back to Mexico C. The Texas-Mexico border was to be set at the Rio Grande After the Battle of the Alamo Santa Anna was put on a ship called the “Invincible”

Treaty of Velasco Signature

Election of 1836 Elected leaders of Texas: 1. President- Sam Houston 2. Vice President- Mirabeau Lamar Also approved: 1. Constitution of 1836 2. Expressed wishes of annexation, or becoming a part of the U.S.

Sam Houston “The Raven” Sam Houston didn’t like having to work on the farm with his brother so when he was about 14 yrs old Sam Houston ran away from home and was adopted by Cherokee Indian tribe. They named him “The Raven,” he lived with the tribe for three years.

Houston’s Administration Problems with Texas: 1. Texas government lack of order 2. County government lack of order 3. No clear land policy 4. Money scarce (lack of money) 5. Conflicts with Texas Indians 6. Military

Houston Solves Problems Military- replaced all men but about 600, also appointed new commander Albert Johnston. Money- added a poll tax, a tax on voters, also printed more money Land- government gave land to families, establishing population growth Indians/Mexico- establishing forts along Indian and Texas borders, this would also help Texas trade with Indians.

Election of 1838 Sam Houston couldn’t run for a second term as President. New leaders: 1. President- Mirabeau Lamar 2. Vice President- David Burnet Both men disliked the policies of Houston, Texas policy change was soon to come.

Mirabeau B. Lamar Lamar moved to Texas in 1835. His wife and daughter died of sickness, which made Lamar go through a period of deep depression.

Lamar’s Administration Lamar was most famous for his policies towards education. The government set aside land for public schools and universities. First private college was Rutersville College at La Grange.

New Capital 1839, Congress established a new centrally located capital. Located at the small village of Waterloo, later renamed Austin. Early complaints were that it was too dangerous and that the Comanches would attack the capital.

Lamar’s Problems The largest problem during Lamar’s term of office was money. The government was spending more than it was making. The Texas government was spending too much money on military. The Texas dollar called “redbacks” was only worth about 2 cents by 1841.

Texas Three Dollar “Redback”

Texas Five Dollar “Redback”

Texas Fifty Dollars “Redback”

Texas “RedBack”

Texas vs. Indians Lamar disliked the Indians, and in 1839 Lamar declared that the Indians of Texas had no rights to land. Lamar goal was to remove the Cherokee tribes from Texas and to push the Comanche Indians west. Many raids on the Indians continued through out the 1830’s.

Debate over Annexation Annexations means for one country to join another country or territory Points of View- 1. Texas- the Texans felt they weren’t strong enough to remain an independent country without the U.S. 2. U.S.- had two main reasons: not to join A. U.S. Northerners didn’t want Texas to join the U.S. because it would give the Southern states more support towards the “slave issue” B. many U.S. officials didn’t want to damage relationships with Mexico 3. Mexico- hadn’t recognized Texas as an independent country

Treaty of Velasco Signed When Signed At Public Promises Private Promises After the Signing Election of 1836 President Vice President Problems Solution to Problems Accomplishments Annexation Debate Annexation Means U.S. Views Texas Views Mexico Views My Views Election of 1838 President Vice President Problems Solutions Accomplishments

Battles against the Indians Battles between the Texans and Indians includes: 1. Battle of Neches 2. Council House Fight 3. Battle of Plum Creek The total Indian wars cost Texas $2.5 million.

Election of 1840 The voters returned to the polls to elect a new president. The voters were unhappy with: 1. The constant wars with the Indians 2. The worthless Texas redbacks (money) 3. The rising national debt. They reelected Sam Houston as President http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

Reduction of Texas Government Sam Houston did the following to help reduce government spending: 1. Workers salaries cut 2. Make the Texas army and Texas Rangers staff smaller 3. Create a peace policy with the Indians, helping reduce military spending

Blacks in the Republic of Texas The Texas Constitution of 1836 made it legal to have slavery in Texas. The number of slaves increased from about 5,000 in 1836 to about 46,000 by 1846. By 1860, there were only about 200 free blacks in Texas.

Foreign Relationships The main goal of Texas was to have other countries recognize that Texas was now an independent country. Once the United States recognized Texas as being independent from Mexico other European countries did the same. It was Mexico who refused to recognize Texas as an independent nation. Mexico rejected the Treaty of Velasco

Mexicans Invade Texas 1842- Mexican forces enter Texas and invaded San Antonio, Goliad, and Refugio. September 11, 1842- The Mexican army had gained control of San Antonio. The Mexican army was forced to leave back to Mexico, Houston at this time orders General Somervell and 750 troops to follow the Mexican soldiers out of Texas.

The troops following the Mexican forces were there to make sure they left the Texas borders. Once the Mexicans left the border the Texas troops were to leave and head back to San Antonio. It was at this point about 300 Texas soldiers refused to stop chasing the Mexican soldiers. The Texas soldiers continued to attack into a small Mexican town called Mier

The Mier Expedition Stationed at the town of Mier was 2,000 Mexican soldiers. A fight between the 300 Texans and the 2,000 Mexican soldiers broke out. The Texans were captured and marched to Mexico City to face execution. About half of the Texans escaped, while the others were to be executed.

Mexico recognition of Texas Through the efforts of England and France, Mexico in 1845 agreed to recognize the independence of Texas. Texas later joins the United States on December 29, 1845. February 19, 1846- Texas President Anson Jones officially turned over the powers of government to the first governor of Texas James Pinckney.