CHAPTER 11 Notes

The Republic of Texas 1. Sam Houston became 1 st President 2. Mirabeau B. Lamar became 1 st Vice- President

Initial Problems of the Republic 1. Trouble w/the Army 2. Recognition 3. Financial Difficulties 4. Native Americans

Felix Huston was leader of the army. Houston sent them all home on leave but never recalled them. Texans wanted to renew war with Mexico. 1. Trouble with the Army

The 2 nations were still at war. Other nations wouldn’t recognize Texas until Mexico did. Mexico refused to recognize Texas independence. 2. Recognition

Government collected taxes. Owed $1 million Issued promissory notes. 3. Financial Difficulties

Congress refused to ratify (accept) the treaties. Natives threatened war. Houston made fair treaties with them. 4. Trouble with the Natives

Felix Huston was leader of Army. Chief Bowles was leader of Cherokees.

A New Capital 1. John & Augustus Allen built a new city, named it Houston. 2. It became the capital.

The First Attempt at Annexation 1. When Houston was elected President, a majority also voted to seek annexation to the U.S. (become a state)

2. 1st attempt was blocked because of slavery. (TX would be a slave state) 3. Houston withdrew TX 1st request for annexation to avoid embarrassment.

Houston’s Policies 1. Was for U.S. annexation 2.Wanted peace with Natives & with Mexico 3. Tried to spend little $

Election of TX Constitution limited the 1st President to a 2 year term – Houston could not run again.

A Different Vision for Texas – Mirabeau B. Lamar 1. Lamar’s Plan for the Republic

2. Lamar’s aggressive vision for TX is best exemplified by his quote: “If peace can be obtained only by the sword, let the sword do its work.”

1. A New Capital Houston was too rainy & humid. Changed capital to Austin. Named after Stephen F. Austin

2. Clashes with Natives Lamar hated the Natives. Council House Fight- Texans & Commanches,1840, peace talks went bad, deaths on both sides He wanted to drive them out of Texas or kill them all.

3. Relations with Mexico Sent TX Navy to help Mexican rebels. Santa Fe expedition- tried to get Santa Fe to join TX Wanted to continue war.

4. Finances Issued Redbacks – worthless paper money debt rose to over $7 million Money problems worsened Bought 7 Navy ships Funded expansion expeditions

Mirabeau B. Lamar’s Plan for Texas A new Capital Houston was too rainy & humid. Changed capital to Austin. Clashes with Natives Lamar hated the Natives. He wanted drive them out of Texas or kill them all. Relations with Mexico Sent TX Navy to help Mexican rebels. Santa Fe expedition- tried to get Santa Fe to join TX Finances Issued Redbacks – worthless paper money debt rose to over $7 million Money problems worsened Bought 7 Navy ships Funded expansion expeditions Council House Fight- Texans & Commanches,1840, peace talks went bad, deaths on both sides Wanted to continue war. Named after Stephen F. Austin

Contributions to Education 1. What he’s best known for 2. Set aside land for public schools, A&M, & UT 3. Is known as the “Father of Education in Texas”

“Star Money”

Expansion Policy 1. TX govt. used offers of land to attract new settlers and pay debts. 2. Tried to force people in Santa Fe to join TX

Santa Fe Expedition 1. Lamar sent TX troops to try to force Santa Fe to join TX 2.Texans were captured & taken to MX City to prison. 3. Cost lives & money TX didn’t have

Houston’s Return Leads to Annexation - Sam Houston was elected again in He cut back on Lamar’s expansion policy.

Houston’s Policies: 1. Prevent war with Mexico 2. Spend little money 3. Join the U.S. ASAP

1. Mexicans invaded San Antonio then retreated to MX with hostages 2. Texans pursued them into Mier, MX Mier Expedition

Texans were captured at Mier & taken to MX City 4. Santa Anna ordered every 10th prisoner to be executed by firing squad at Salado, MX. 5. “Black Bean Lotto”

Archives War 1. War was the struggle to decide the location of TX capital. 2. Houston tried to move archives (public records) to Houston. Austin citizens fought to keep them & capital.

Regulator-Moderator War 1. fighting in East Texas between settlers with differing views 2. Houston sent troops to stop the fighting

Houston’s Efforts to Gain Annexation 1. John Tyler, a Southerner, became U.S. President

2. TX requested annexation again, didn’t get U.S. Senate approval (because of possible war w/MX & slavery) 3. TX annexation became a key issue in 1844 U.S. Presidential election.

Elections of Anson Jones was elected Pres. of TX & was Pres. when Texas became a state. (supported Houston and his policies)

2. James Polk was elected Pres. of the U.S. a. Polk was a Southerner who supported Texas annexation b. His election showed that the U.S. public wanted to annex Texas, too.

Manifest Destiny – idea that US should stretch from East to West coasts. 1. People said it was God’s will 2. Was the U.S. Government’s way of justifying taking land from the Natives.

TX Becomes a State 1. U.S. Congress approved a joint resolution (simple majority, not 2/3) on Feb. 26, 1845, accepting TX as the 28th state.

2. Great Britain & France offered to recognize TX and tried to force MX to do so also if TX would vote “NO” to annexation. 3. But, Texans voted for annexation and wrote a state Constitution.

4. Texas became the 28th state on Feb. 26, “The Republic of Texas is no more.” Dr. Anson Jones