The Road to Revolution

Differences Arise The population of Texas by Anglo settlers grew and grew. Some settlers established their own : Newspapers schools Some settlers: Kept their own customs Did not become Catholic Mexican government officials worried that colonists were becoming too independent

Mexico’s Constitution of 1824 Changed country’s name to United States of Mexico Recognized Catholicism as the official religion of Mexico – did not protect religious freedom Gave the states more control, so Texas supported this. Some Mexican nationalists were concerned that too many settlers from the U.S. and local control could cause colonists to seize Texas and join the U.S.

Fredonian Rebellion 1825 – Empresario Haden Edwards won a contract for a huge land grant to settle 800 families in an area near Nacogdoches. When he got there, he found that there were already settlers there. He forced them to prove their ownership. When they couldn’t, he made them pay for the land they had settled. 1826 –Mexico revokes his land grant and orders him and his brother out of Texas.

Edwards and others form Fredonian Republic and declare it free from Mexico. First attempt by anglo settlers to secede from Mexico Stephen Austin’s militia joined Mexican troops to defeat the Fredonians Edwards quickly gives up and leaves Texas. Causes Mexican government further suspicion about Texas colonists.

The Mier y Teran Report An increasing number of settlers from the U.S., the Fredonian Rebellion, and the offer from the U.S. to buy Texas (1827 & 1829) fueled concerns of the Mexican nationalists (Mexico was worried) Mexico sent Manuel Meir y Teran, a commander in the Mexican army, to investigate the conditions in Texas. Toured Texas for two months and then wrote a report

The Mier y Teran Report Teran reported that the Anglo settlers outnumbered the Mexican settlers 10 to 1 Expressed concern that the United States influence was growing in Texas Made it clear that prompt action was needed – place more troops and try to get more Mexican and European settlers Mexican President Vicente Guerrero responded by attempting to make Texas less attractive for future colonists

The Law of April 6, 1830 Outlawed immigration to Texas from the U.S. (Friends & Family) Further outlawed importing of slaves. (Fear of ending slavery) Placed custom duties, or tax, on goods brought into Texas from U.S. Sent Mexican troops to Texas Angered colonists and violated Constitution of 1824 Purpose was to control Texas colonists

Unrest in Texas The Law of April 6, 1830, marked a turning point in the relationship between Texas colonists and the Mexican government. The most obvious sign of this strained relationship was the sending of Mexican soldiers into Texas. The Texans resented the presence of the Mexican troops. They not only disliked the show of military force by Mexico, but were upset about having to pay new taxes. Stephen F. Austin tried to negotiate with Mexico, but it was obvious that damage had been done.

Santa Anna’s Rise President Anastasio Bustamante set up a strong national government and ignored the Constitution of 1824 that let the states exercise local control. Mexican citizens were upset, like the Texans, that the Constitution was being ignored. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna launched a revolution against Bustamante in 1832 and posed as a supporter of the 1824 Constitution. Texans, including Stephen F. Austin, supported Santa Anna’s revolution. Texans would soon find out that Santa Anna wanted all power in his government (centralist government)

The Disturbance at Anahuac W.T. Logan hires a young attorney named William B. Travis to help him retrieve 2 slaves that ran away to Texas. John Bradburn, an Anglo Mexican official was sheltering the 2 slaves and refused to release them. In May 1832, William B. Travis is arrested after embarrassing John Bradburn. 150 Texas settlers march towards Anahuac to demand Travis’s release. Bradburn says he will release Travis if the group retreats but once they do, he refuses. The colonists camp between Anahuac and Liberty at Turtle Bayou Meanwhile, Bradburn takes the opportunity to reinforce his troops and prepare for a fight. Bradburn Travis

Turtle Bayou Resolution The settlers camped at Turtle Bayou send John Austin to Brazoria to bring back a cannon. In the meantime, they draft a statement known as the Turtle Bayou Resolutions. In the resolutions, the colonists pledge loyalty to Mexico but not the Mexican Government, but rather support for Santa Anna because he claimed to support the constitution of 1824. A Mexican official from Nacogdoches learns of the trouble and releases Travis and dismisses Bradburn from his command. Turtle Bayou document

Battle of Velasco John Austin loaded the cannon on a ship in Brazoria and sailed towards the Gulf. At Velasco, met by Mexican troops who refused to let them pass. First time fighting broke out between Texans and Mexican troops. Mexicans ran out of ammunition and surrendered. Ordered to return to Mexico.

Convention of 1832 56 delegates met in San Felipe in Oct. 1832 to draft resolutions. Pledged support for Constitution of 1824 and asked for immigration from U.S. and repeal of custom duties. (Law of April 6, 1830) Also, requested public schools and protection from Indians. Finally, asked that the state of Coahuila y Tejas be divided so each have own government.(Texas be a separate state) However, the resolution was refused by Mexico…

Convention of 1833 April 1, 1833, delegates met to draft same proposals but this time drafted a constitution for their new proposed Mexican state of Texas. This included a new delegate: Sam Houston. The steps taken by the members were similar to those taken by the Americans when developing new states of the U.S. Many took this as defiance of government.

Stephen F. Austin Arrested July 1833, SFA travels to Mexico City to deliver the Texas resolution to Mexican officials. The trip takes nearly 3 months. When he reached Mexico City, it was in turmoil after a successful revolution led by Santa Anna to rid Mexico of President Bustamante While waiting for a meeting with Santa Anna, Austin sends a letter back to Texas suggesting they create new resolutions that made Texas and Coahuila separate states. SFA meets with Santa Anna, and he agrees to many of Texans resolutions like allowing immigration. (except separate statehood). When returning, Austin was arrested and accused of treason after Mexicans intercepted the letter he wrote. He would spend a year in prison and months more under house arrest in Mexico City. He was allowed to return home in 1835. SFA was convinced now that independence was the only resolve.