Texas History- New Republic TX History Unit 11

Texas Constitution The Constitution of 1836 was adopted quickly by the people of Texas. Presidents could not serve consecutive terms. Houston became the temporary capital of Texas, but Austin eventually became the permanent capital.

1st President-Sam Houston-Conflicts with Mexico Texas built up a substantial debt of approximately $1.25 million during the Texas Revolution. Congress attempted to levy taxes, including an import tariff, to raise money; however, it was very difficult to enforce the collection of these taxes. In 1838, the Cordova Rebellion is uncovered by citizens of Nacogdoches. The plan was established by a prominent Nacogdoches resident, Vincinti Cordova. Cordova turned against the Republic and attempted to establish an alliance with Mexican loyalists in Texas, Mexico, and the Cherokee against Texas. The insurrection was short lived, and Cordova was driven permanently out of Texas.

1st President-Sam Houston-Native Americans President Houston believed in establishing fair and generous policies with Native Americans. The Cherokees had been promised land titles for remaining neutral during the Texas Revolution. William Goyens, a free slave from South Carolina and friend of Houston’s, had assisted in negotiations over land with the Cherokee. Houston wanted the treaties established with the Cherokees during the Texas Revolution upheld by the government of the Republic of Texas, but the Senate refused to recognize Cherokee land claims, and Anglo settlement continued onto land that the Cherokee considered to be theirs.

2nd President- Mirabeau Lamar-Conflict with Mexico The Santa Fe Expedition was an exploratory expedition established by President Lamar. Lamar’s plan would allow Texans to establish trade and gain control of the territory. In June of 1841, a group of Texans headed to Santa Fe. However, the expedition faced many problems along the way, including Native American attacks and a severe shortage of basic supplies. The Texans were eventually captured by the Mexican military. They were forced to march to Mexico City. Many of the members of the expedition did not survive the march, and others died in Mexican prisons; the surviving prisoners were eventually be released following negotiations between the U.S., England, and Mexico. The Santa Fe Expedition failed to gain control of the Santa Fe territory. It also further damaged relations between Texas and Mexico. Mexico invaded Texas after the failed Santa Fe Expedition. This invasion led to the Archives War. Houston was concerned that official Texas documents could be damaged or destroyed during an invasion by Mexico. He ordered the removal of the documents from Austin to Houston. Angry residents of Austin feared that President Houston was planning on moving the capital from Austin back to Houston, and subsequently fired upon government officials while they were attempting to take the documents from Austin. The documents never left Austin and Austin will remain the capital.

2nd President- Mirabeau Lamar-Native Americans He was also concerned about a Mexican/Cherokee alliance. Lamar demanded an immediate removal of the Cherokee from Texas. The Texas army began raiding Native American settlement in East Texas. During these raids, approximately 100 Cherokee were killed, including their leader, Chief Bowles. The remaining Cherokee were forced off their lands. Problems also arose with the Comanches. In September 1840, the Comanches had agreed to negotiate peace terms with Texas officials. During the meeting, negotiations broke down when an Anglo prisoner of the Comanche revealed that 13 other captives were being held prisoner outside of San Antonio. A brief skirmish between Texas troops and Comanche representatives broke out when the Texans attempted to take the Comanches as hostages. This event is known as the Council House Fight. The fighting led to the death of 7 Texans and 35 Comanches. Many of the Anglo captives of the Comanche were later killed in retaliation for the Comanche deaths. Mary Maverick, Texas pioneer, described the events of the Council House Fight in her memoirs. Any plans for peaceful negotiations with the Comanches ended following the Council House Fight. Fighting with the various tribes in Texas will continue for many years. Lamar’s policies toward the Native Americans were very costly. During Lamar’s term, the Indian Wars cost the Republic of Texas approximately $2.5 million. Lamar also spent a substantial amount of money on the expansion of the Texas navy. He was unable to negotiate financial aid from the U.S. or European nations.

3rd President-Sam Houston Mexico invaded Texas after the failed Santa Fe Expedition. This invasion led to the Archives War. Houston was concerned that official Texas documents could be damaged or destroyed during an invasion by Mexico. He ordered the removal of the documents from Austin to Houston. Angry residents of Austin feared that President Houston was planning on moving the capital from Austin back to Houston, and subsequently fired upon government officials while they were attempting to take the documents from Austin. The documents never left Austin and Austin will remain the capital. During Sam Houston’s second term as President of the Republic of Texas, he attempted to lower the expenditures of the nation to reduce the debt.

4th President- Anson Jones Last President of Texas Many Texans, including Sam Houston, hoped to join the United States following the Texas Revolution. The issues of slavery and questions involving relations with Mexico prevented Texas from being automatically annexation by the U.S. Texas eventually joined the Union as a slave state, but those that feared the expansion of slavery in the U.S did not want Texas admitted. Mexico had also never officially recognized Texas as an independent nation. This made it difficult for the United States or any other nation to formally recognize the Republic of Texas. Therefore, the immediate annexation of Texas was not possible because many U.S citizens feared this would lead to a war between the U.S. and Mexico. In 1844, a treaty was signed between the U.S. and Texas. The treaty made Texas an official territory of the United States. The U.S. agreed to pay off the remaining debts of the Republic for the exchange of public lands in Texas. The U.S. Senate ultimately rejected the treaty.

The 28th State During a formal ceremony on February 19, 1846, Texas was officially recognized as the 28th state in the United States. President Anson Jones turned over the government of Texas to the first governor of Texas, James Pinckney Henderson. Texas wrote the first state constitution in 1845. It established a state government consisting of three branches. A governor would be elected for a two year term, and could only serve two consecutive terms. The state legislature would contain two houses, including the House of Representatives (two year terms) and the Senate (four year terms). The Constitution of 1845 also established a judicial system, consisting of a supreme court and lower courts. Judges within the state would be appointed.

Causes of the Mexican American War Rapid population growth of western territory by Americans. Approximately 4 million families moved westward during the years between 1820-1850. Factors for this population increase included a desire for land, high birth rates, and large European migrations to the U.S. “Manifest Destiny” belief that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Questions over the annexation of Texas, which involved the contested issues of the continued expansion of slavery in the U.S. and possible conflicts with Mexico. U.S. and Mexico dispute over the border between Mexico and Texas. U.S claimed the Rio Grande River was the border, and Mexico claimed the Nueces River (north of Rio Grande). United States offer to purchase California and New Mexico territory from Mexico which Mexico rejected.

Events of the Mexican American War In May of 1846, Mexican and American soldiers clashed in the disputed zone between the Rio Grande and Nueces Rivers. President Polk asked for a declaration of war against Mexico. Polk declared, “American blood has been shed on American soil.” By September of 1847, American forces commanded by Zachary Taylor occupied Monterrey, Mexico. While General Zachary Taylor was heading south, American forces were also taking control of Mexican territory in the west. Santa Fe was taken by August of 1847 without a single shot being fired. Americans led by John C. Fremont, also captured Monterey, California during the Bear Flag Revolt. In March of 1847, American forces led by General Winfield Scott arrived at Vera Cruz on the Mexico coast by sea. Vera Cruz was captured with little resistance few casualties. The American forces began their march to the Mexican capital of Mexico City. By September American forces occupied Mexico City.

Outcomes of the Mexican American War Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 1848 – Defeat of Mexico by the United States forced Mexico to grant the Mexican Cession to the U.S., expanding the nation to the Pacific Ocean. The Mexican Cession included present day California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. The Rio Grande was recognized as the southern border between the U.S. and Mexico. Gadsen Purchase (1853) – Purchase of land from Mexico that would include southern portions of New Mexico and Arizona. Following the Mexican War, the Compromise of 1850 was passed. The Compromise of 1850 was an attempt to settle the slavery issue between free and slave states. The Compromise of 1850 finally settled the western border dispute between Texas and New Mexico. The dispute was settled in favor of New Mexico. Texas gave up its claims to any New Mexico territory. In exchange Texas would receive $10 million to pay off its debts.