The Lone Star Republic

Houston Forms a Government (1836) Sam Houston was elected as the first president of Texas and Mirabeau Lamar as the vice president.

Houston Forms a Government (1836) Stephen F. Austin was named secretary of state but died after a few weeks of pneumonia. He was only 43.

Houston Forms a Government (1836) The capitol was moved to Houston. The capitol was moved to Houston.

United States Delays Annexation of Texas Texas wanted to be annexed since most Texans were from the U.S. Several reasons for the delay:

United States Delays Annexation of Texas Mexico did not recognize Texas as independent and U.S. did not want to damage relations with Mexico.

United States Delays Annexation of Texas Texas was a slave state; the U.S. did not want to tip the power over to the slave states by adding another one.

Problems in the Republic Texas had problems being recognized as independent. Eventually, the U.S. recognized Texas and later European nations did too.

Problems in the Republic Natives resented the Anglos and continued attacking until the Texas Rangers were brought in. The Texas Rangers were first organized by Stephen F. Austin to protect colonists, but eventually became a police force in all of Texas.

Problems in the Republic Texas was largely in debt (1.25 million). They placed tariffs on several goods imported into Texas. By the end of Houston’s term, they were 2 million in debt.

Lamar becomes President Since Houston could not serve consecutive terms as stated in the Constitution, Lamar was elected President. Lamar did not want annexation. He thought Texas would become great. To do this, he believed firmly in education and set up public schools.

Lamar becomes President The capitol was moved to Waterloo which was later named Austin after Stephen F. Austin.

Lamar becomes President Lamar removed the Cherokees from East Texas where Houston had said they could live. (1839)

Council House Fight The Texans wanted the Comanche out since they had raided and kidnapped Anglos. The Comanche agreed to meet in San Antonio and bring the Anglo captives. They brought one female all beaten and bruised. The Texans responded by taking the Comanche negotiators hostage.

Council House Fight They resisted and a fight ensued. This is known as the Council House Fight. (7 Texans and 35 Comanche killed) The Comanche killed the hostages as a result. The Texas Rangers were called in to rid Texas of Natives.

Santa Fe Expedition (1841) Texans wanted to control Santa Fe for the trade location. They set out and when they reached Santa Fe, they were exhausted. They were defeated by the Mexican army and prisoners were forced to march to Mexico City where most died if they survived the march.

Financial Difficulties Lamar’s campaigns were costly. (Navy, expeditions, schools) The debt rose to 7 million. Paper money known as redbacks lost their value. One dollar in Texas was worth about 15 cents.

Houston Regains Presidency He eliminated official positions, limited the size of the army and recalled the Navy all in an attempt to save the government money.

The Archives War (1842) Mexico retaliated for the Santa Fe incident by invading Texas reaching San Antonio. Houston wanted the archives moved out of Austin and back to Houston. The citizens of Austin did not want the capitol moved. A small skirmish ensued and the capitol remained in Austin.

The Archives War (1842)  Mexico again invades but was defeated at San Antonio. On the way home the Mexicans killed a company of volunteers.

The Archives War (1842) Texans invade Mexico and were defeated at Mier. The prisoners (176) escaped and were recaptured. For punishment 1 out of every 10 was to be executed. They drew beans to see who died. The rest were marched to Mexico City.

The Archives War (1842)  Houston also faced trouble in East Texas over land grants. People were killing one another over land. He had to send 600 soldiers to resolve the situation.

The Texas Question Houston again pushed for Texas to become annexed. A treaty was signed by U.S. representatives making Texas a territory.Houston again pushed for Texas to become annexed. A treaty was signed by U.S. representatives making Texas a territory. The Senate rejected the treaty because Texas was a slave state and they feared a war with Mexico.The Senate rejected the treaty because Texas was a slave state and they feared a war with Mexico.

Polk Becomes President Americans believed in manifest destiny, which meant they were destined to expand and this included Texas.

Polk Becomes President Texas was to be annexed in 1845 if Texas wanted it. Texas would keep its public land and sell off some to pay its debt. It could also break up into 5 states with approval of Texas and the U.S.

Polk Becomes President President Anson Jones of Texas presented this to the Texas government and Texas was annexed by President Polk and the U.S. in 1845 and became the 28 th state.