Independence for Texas

Clash of Cultures Davey Crockett a Congressman from TN was noted for his frontier skills. Crockett lost his seat in the House in 1835 and moved to Texas. Crockett wanted to help Texas win its independence from Mexico Later his deeds would bring him fame from the Battle of the Alamo.

Clash of Cultures Crockett was a political enemy of the policies of Andrew Jackson. Most notably the Indian removal Act. Crockett’s opposition to Jackson led to his electoral defeat in 1834.

Clash of Cultures Conflict over Texas began in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase. Americans claimed the land in Texas was part of the Louisiana Territory. In 1819 with the Adams-Onis Treaty the U.S. dropped any claim to Texas.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants In 1819 only about 3,000 people lived in Texas. Most were Tejanos or Mexicans who claimed Texas as their home. Apaches, Comanches and Kiowas also lived in the area.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants The Spanish encouraged settlement of Texas by offering large tracts of land through grants. The people who obtained these grants were called empresarios.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants Moses Austin received the first land grant in 1821. Before he established his colony he died from pneumonia.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants After Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821 Austin’s son Stephen F. Austin asked the Mexican government to acknowledge his father’s land grant, and after confirmation began setting up his colony.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants Stephen F. recruited 300 families to settle the area along the Brazos and Colorado Rivers. These settlers became known as The Old 300.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants Most received 960 acres each along with addition land for each child. Some received larger ranches. Austin’s success demonstrated leadership among the American settlers in Texas.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants From 1823 to 1825 Mexico passed colonization laws. The laws offered large tracts of land at low prices with reduced or no taxes for several years.

Clash of Cultures Land Grants In return the settlers agreed to learn Spanish Convert to Catholicism Obey Mexican law.

Clash of Cultures Growing Tensions By 1830 Americans far outnumbered Mexican Nationals. These Americans had not adopted Mexican ways During this time the U.S. offered to buy Texas from Mexico twice.

Clash of Cultures Growing Tensions Mexico viewed American influence in Texas with alarm. In 1830 Mexico issued a decree which stopped all immigration from the United States. Decree- Official Order

Clash of Cultures Growing Tensions At the same time the decree encouraged immigration from of Mexican and European families with generous land grants. Trade between Texas and the U.S. was discouraged by placing a tariff on imports from the U.S. Quiz 12-2A

Clash of Cultures Growing Tensions These policies angered Texans. Prosperity among Texans depended upon trade with the U.S. Many settlers had friends and family who wanted to come to Texas.

Clash of Cultures Growing Tensions In addition those Texans who had slaves were uneasy about Mexico wanting to end slavery.

Attempt at Reconcilliation Clash of Cultures Attempt at Reconcilliation Some Americans called for Independence. Some wanted to stay with Mexico, but on better terms.

Attempt at Reconcilliation Clash of Cultures Attempt at Reconcilliation 1833 General Antonio de Santa Anna became President of Mexico. Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City with demands from Texans

Attempt at Reconcilliation Clash of Cultures Attempt at Reconcilliation Remove the ban on American settlers moving from the United States. Make Texas a separate state. Santa Anna agreed to the first demand, not the second.