The Republic of Texas Photo from http://www.srttexas.org/Graphic/Texas%20Flag%20Redone.jpg

REPUBLIC OF TEXAS IN 1836

Texans took these steps in building their new nation: Sam Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas. Mirabeau B. Lamar was elected vice-president. A constitution was adopted.

Problems in the New Republic The Mexican government refused to recognize Texas’s independence. Mexico and Texas were still at war. Other nations also needed to be persuaded that Texas is independent. The new government was in debt from the Texas revolution. Indians are now way out numbered and Anglo Americans are taking over their territory. Indians threaten to declare war on the Texans.

How can Houston solve these problems? Houston was cautious. He tried to prevent another war with Mexico or with Native Texans. Houston limited government spending. Houston thought the best solution to Texas’s problems was annexation to the United States. Houston’s well appointed cabinet helped him with these problems. (Stephen F. Austin served as secretary of state.) Cabinet – council that advises the chief executive

The First Attempt at Annexation The addition of Texas to the United States made sense to many. Texan Anson Jones went to the U.S. Congress and tried to get them to accept Texas into the Union. Texas would have been considered a slave state, and many members of the U.S. congress opposed slavery. This decision was delayed, and Houston ordered Jones to withdraw the request. Houston didn’t want Texas to be embarrassed by having its request delayed any longer.

Houston's Native Texan Policy Texas not only had conflicts with Mexico but also the Native Texans. Remember, the Native Texans were promised by Houston the title to their land they occupied in East Texas. The Texas Congress refused to uphold this treaty (promise) Houston had agreed upon. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0306805863.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

Houston's Native Texan Policy Many Texans wanted the Native Texans out because the land they occupied was the richest farmland in Texas. Houston, unlike most Texans, was sympathetic to the Native Texans. The Texas Rangers had to be called in to patrol the frontier. Attacks on both sides continued.

ELECTION OF 1838 Mirabeau B. Lamar Since the Texan Constitution did not have back to back terms, President Houston had to hand over the government in 1838. Vice-President Lamar was elected as the second president of the Republic of Texas. Mirabeau B. Lamar http://dl.tamu.edu/Projects/sodct/images/mlamar.jpg

A Different Vision for Texas Photo from http://www.srttexas.org/Graphic/Texas%20Flag%20Redone.jpg

LAMAR HOUSTON was bold liked flashy clothing worked on keeping peace with Mexico and the Native Texans. spent little money promoted annexation of Texas to the U.S. liked quiet reading did not shy away from conflicts with Mexico and the Native Texans. wanted to get rid Texas of ALL Native Texans spent LARGE sums of borrowed money on military expeditions wanted Texas to remain independent and expand its borders

Clashes with Native Texans Unlike Houston, Lamar wanted to kill or force all of the Native Texans out of Texas. Lamar’s generals forced the Cherokees out of East Texas. The Cherokees went to live in present-day Oklahoma.

Lamar’s actions only increased tension between Mexico and Texas. Relations with Mexico Lamar thought that sending rebels to revolt in Mexico would help Texas. Lamar’s actions only increased tension between Mexico and Texas. Lamar also upset New Mexico by assuming that the land west of Texas, along the Rio Grande, was Texas’s. Lamar felt he was entitled to this land under the Treaties of Velasco that was signed by Santa Anna in 1836. http://images.google.com/images?q=schoolhouse+rock&hl=en&lr=&start=80&sa=N

A New Capital Lamar did not like Houston being the capital of Texas. Lamar wanted a more centrally located capital. He choose 100 miles north of San Antonio. He named this site Austin, in honor of Stephen F. Austin. http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/02/25/mardi.gras.melee/map.texas.austin.jpg

EDUCATION Lamar is best known for his contributions to public education. Lamar believed that a strong educational system would make Texas a great nation. The Texas Congress set aside almost 18,000 acres of land in each county for public schools. Although few schools were actually build during Lamar’s administration, he became known as the “FATHER of EDUCATION IN TEXAS”.

Financial Difficulties Texas’s financial problem got worse during Lamar’s presidency. Lamar expanded the use of bills known as “redbacks”. They were called “redbacks” because of the color of ink that was used. The redbacks went down in value. Lamar spent money on battles that he didn’t have. Public debt increased to almost $7 million by the end of Lamar’s term. Public debt – amount of money a national government owes

Houston's Return Leads to Annexation Photo from http://www.srttexas.org/Graphic/Texas%20Flag%20Redone.jpg

Problems Solutions Mexico not recognizing Texas as independent Raids by Indians DEBT Promissory notes Cut Spending Reduce military (ie: Felix Huston who wanted to start war) Texas Rangers Solutions

Sam Houston as President Again Since the Texas constitution stated that you could not be president for two consecutive terms, Lamar was not eligible to run for president….BUT Sam Houston was. Although not everyone agreed with Houston’s plan and ideas for Texas, he was reelected in 1841.

A Return to Houston's Policy Once in office, Houston put his plan back into action. reduced government spending pulled Texas military out of Mexico

Houston’s Efforts to Gain Annexation Since his first administration, Houston had urged the U.S. to annex Texas. John Tyler, the current U.S. president, agreed to annex Texas; however, the Senate rejected the ballot by one vote. Many Texans were very disappointed.

THE ELECTIONS OF 1844 In TEXAS: In the U.S.: The Texans elected Dr. Anson Jones as president. Edward Burleson was elected vice-president. In TEXAS: In the U.S.: CANDIDTATES: Martin Van Buren – Free Soil Party Henry Clay – Whig Party James K. Polk – Democratic Party Polk, who among his party favored the annexation of Texas, won the election.

TEXAS BECOMES A STATE On February 26, 1845, the U.S. Congress approved a joint resolution, agreeing to accept Texas as the 28th state. On February 19, 1846, President Jones announced the annexation of Texas. Joint resolution – formal ruling passed by both houses of the legislature and intended to become a law

Last Years of the Republic

LAMAR, HOUSTON AND THE ELECTION OF 1844 Republic was divided in the election of 1844 and voters either supported or opposed Houston, who supported Anson Jones Many Texans associated the problems of the Republic with Lamar so his support hurt Edward Burleson Jones wins the election

ISSUES FACING TEXAS DURING JONES’S PRESIDENCY Faced the problem of the debt of the Republic of Texas Making peace with the Indians Debate over annexation to the U.S.

The Last Years of the Republic Presidential Election of 1844 Candidate Supporter: Houston positive OR negative Supporter: Lamar Anson Jones Edward Burleson during second term: helped Texas avoid war with Mexico; saw Texas economy improve unpopular because many Texans associated the Republic’s problems with his presidency Winner Anson Jones

Elected Presidents of the Republic of Texas 1836–1845 David Burnet Term: March 16, 1836– October 22, 1836 Selected as interim president of Texas during the Texas Revolution. Sam Houston Terms: 1836–1838, 1841–1844 Policies: Limited government spending, established peaceful relations with Mexico and Native Americans, encouraged annexation. Mirabeau B. Lamar Term: 1838–1841 Policies: Used military force against Mexico and Native Americans, wanted Texas to remain independent, promoted education in Texas. Anson Jones Term: 1844–1845 Policies: Supported annexation.

First 3 Republic of Texas Presidents Lamar Houston Jones increased government spending faced financial problems “Redbacks” issued encouraged war with Mexico and Indians supported military expeditions established public education wanted TX to be independent served as president of the Republic of Texas served 1 term limited government spending faced financial problems promissory notes was peaceful with Mexico and the Indians reduced the army eliminated the navy supported annexation served as president of the Republic of Texas served 2 terms announced the annexation of Texas supported annexation served as president of the Republic of Texas served 1 term

Your next assignment: Copy the chart from the next slide onto a sheet of notebook paper:

First two presidents of Texas Sam Houston Mirabeau Lamar spending What type of money Policy with Mexico Feelings towards Indians Use of Texas Rangers Feelings on annexation # of terms served Fill in this chart using slide #29