Warm Up Look at the chart above to answer the following questions: According to the chart, which department had the largest population? Which cities were in the department with the greatest population? What was the combined population of the departments that included the cities of Mina and San Antonio de Bexar?

Warm Up Which group of people made up most of the settlers of Stephen F. Austin’s colony? What was the Mexican Constitution of 1824? What did it allow?

Road to Revolution

Fredonian Rebellion 1825: Hayden Edwards received an Empresario contract to settle 800 families near Nacogdoches. When he got there, he found out that many families were already living in Nacogdoches. Edward’s contract said that he had to respect land titles that had already been given on his land. He asked the settlers to show him their land contracts. They didn’t have any. So Edwards required them to buy contracts from him.

Many settlers refused, saying they had been living on the land for years and owned the land. Edwards threatened to sell the land. The settlers alerted the government and an official told Edwards he couldn’t charge for the land. He protested. 1826: The government cancelled his contract. His brother, Benjamin, took action.

Benjamin Edwards gathered a small group of settlers, including some Cherokee and claimed a part of East of Texas as the Independent Republic of Fredonia. Dec. 1826: Edwards and supporters rode into Nacogdoches and took over a fort named the Old Stone Fort. They adopted a Declaration of Independence

Most Texans, both Tejano and U. S Most Texans, both Tejano and U.S., opposed the Edwards brothers and the Fredonian Rebellion. SFA called out the militia. The rebels fled. The rebellion itself was a minor incident, but attracted a lot of attention. U.S. newspapers reported about it. The Mexican government heard that Texans were rebelling and got very worried that others in Texas wanted to revolt.

What were the causes and effects of the Fredonian Rebellion? On top of all of this, in the 1820s, the U.S. made several offers to purchase Texas from Mexico. Mexican Government thought that the Fredonian Rebellion was a U.S. attempt to free Texas. They immediately sent Mexican troops into East Texas. They also sent a General, Manuel de Mier y Teran, into Texas to investigate. His report would throw Texas into Revolt. What were the causes and effects of the Fredonian Rebellion?

Mier Y Teran Report 1828: Teran begins his tour of Texas in San Antonio. Traveled to San Felipe and met with SFA. Austin expressed his loyalty to Mexico. Traveled to Nacogdoches. Wrote a letter to the President of Mexico. He noted that Mexican influence decreased as you moved northward and eastward. U.S. settlers outnumbered Mexicans by 10 to 1. Warned that American influence was growing stronger each day. How did the Fredonian Rebellion lead to the Mier y Teran Report?

“I tell myself that it could not be otherwise than that from such a state of affairs should arise an [unfriendly relationship] between Mexicans and foreigners…. Therefore, I am warning you to take [quick] [actions]. Texas could throw the whole nation into revolution.” ----Manuel de Mier Y Teran

Teran made several recommendations to the Mexican President. Trade between Texas and Mexico should be increased in an effort to discourage trade with the U.S. More soldiers needed to be sent to Texas to increase Mexico’s control over the region. Mexico should encourage more Europeans and Mexicans to settle in Texas Teran hoped that these actions would reduce U.S. influence and show Mexico’s power and determination to keep Texas.

Law of April 6, 1830 1829: The Mexican President, Vicente Guerrero, outlaws slavery in Mexico. Texas slaveholders protested the decree. They were exempt from the law. 1830: In response to the Teran Report, the Law of April 6, 1830 was passed. Banned U.S. immigration and made it illegal to import slaves into Texas. Suspended unfulfilled empresario contracts. Taxed imports coming into Texas from the U.S.

The Mexican Army moved into Texas. Conflicts soon arose. The Law angered many Texans. They feared the new restrictions would harm the economy. Also, many relatives and friends from the U.S. were banned from coming to Texas. SFA disagreed with the law as well. The Mexican Army moved into Texas. Conflicts soon arose. Why would Mexico welcome European settlers to Texas but not American settlers?

Tensions grow in Texas

Conflict at Anahuac 1830: Mexican troops build a fort at the mouth of the Trinity River on Galveston Bay An important trade route and immigration point. The troops would now be able to enforce import taxes and immigration laws. John Davis Bradburn was in charge. Feb. 1831: Bradburn arrests Francisco Madero, who was surveying land for titles in the area. Many Texas became upset with the arrest. He then disbanded the town government in Liberty. He used slaves for projects without paying their owners.

November 1831: All ships coming into Texas are required to pay customs duties at Anahuac. Made it difficult for ships not docked at Anahuac. SFA: The rules were “utterly impractical and their execution is impossible.” 1832: William B. Travis and Patrick Jack are arrested, further angering citizens. Groups of Texans demand their release. A force is organized of more than 150 people. They marched on Anahuac.

Turtle Bayou Resolutions The Texans exchanged gunfire with Mexican troops, and captured some Mexican troops as well. Bradburn agreed to release Travis and Jack in exchange for the soldiers. The Texans retreated to Turtle Bayou. A resolution was drawn up. (Turtle Bayou Resolutions) Declared that the events were not a rebellion, but a defense of their rights and a defense of the Constitution of 1824. Pledged support for Santa Anna.

Conventions 1833: Santa Anna elected President of Mexico. Texans liked him, and believed he would restore the Constitution of 1824. Texans thought SA might approve some reforms, or changes, in “unfair” policy. They held a convention to discuss the changes. Each district in Texas was asked to send delegates to San Felipe on October 1, 1832.

Convention of 1832 Convention of 1832 They asked the Mexican government to allow legal immigration from the U.S. They requested that Texas become a separate Mexican state instead of being joined with Coahuila. The Texans asked that customs duties be removed for three years. Asked for land for public schools Officials would not accept the resolutions.

Convention of 1833 SFA tried to get the Tejanos in San Antonio to support the reforms so they would pass. While SFA was in San Antonio, impatient Texans called another Convention. Held on April 1, 1833. Sam Houston was there. William H. Wharton was President. They wanted change for Texas. SFA was upset they held a convention without him. It adopted many resolutions from the first Convention. SFA was chosen to present it to the Mexican Government. He left for Mexico City on April 22, 1833.

Austin goes to Mexico City It took Austin three months to get to Mexico City. He presented the resolutions to the Vice President, Valentin Gomez Farias. It was put on the back shelf. A cholera epidemic had swept the city and the government was busy. Austin pressed Farias for a decision, but didn’t get one. He wrote back to Texans, advising them to meet “without a moment’s delay for the purpose of organizing a local government for Texas.” Santa Anna finally approved the resolutions, and Austin left for Texas on December 10, 1833.

He made it as far as Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila y Texas. He was arrested. The Mexicans had intercepted his letter to Texas. He was charged with treason. Back in Mexico: Santa Anna created a centralist government. Mexico tightened its control over Texas. More troops were sent. A consultation was held, SFA returned, and supported independence for Texas. “There is no other remedy but to defend our rights, ourselves, and our country, but by force of arms.”