Annexation- to add new land to your country (making Texas a state is an example) Veteran- someone who served in the military

President Sam Houston: Hosted by O.C.

Why did Houston Win? San Jacinto! Houston was popular after whipping the Mexican army and defeating Santa Anna. He was the man of the moment! The Election of 1836 Houston v Austin v Some Other Guy Houston- 5,119 Austin- 586 The Other Guy- 736 “A successful military chieftain is hailed with admiration...but the bloodless pioneer of the west...attracts no notice.”- Austin

This was the first Texas flag.

This was the first capital of Texas: Independence Hall at Washington on the Brazos. This is where Texas declared Independence from Mexico on March 2nd, Washington on the Brazos- 1 st Capital

View from Washington on the Brazos, looking down at the river, where the ferry was located.

Columbia on the Brazos The Second Capital of Texas

The Death of Stephen F. Austin Austin got a job as Secretary of State for the Texas government. He was broke, and had to live in a shack in Columbia. He caught pneumonia and died. Henceforth, Austin shall be known as the “Father o’ Texas.”

Why did the Texas government choose the city of Houston to be the capital? Capital City Sam Houston chose “Houston” to be the capital of Texas. He did this because it was a safe location, and Texas got the capital building for free. Houston was a miserable city! Swampy, hot, and muddy! 1 in 8 died of yellow fever! Hogs roamed free, eating the trash! Silence, you meddling kid! Houston was far away from the Comanche and close to the coast, which was good for trading!

First Capitol Building in Houston

The Texas “White House”

How should Texas treat the Indians? Houston wanted peace with the Indians. He realized that peace would save lives and money. (One example was giving the Cherokee tribe a bunch of land in East Texas.) “If I could build a wall from the Red River to the Rio Grande (to separate the Indians from the Texans) the white people would go crazy trying to devise a means to get beyond it.” (Actual quote)

Texas Debt/Government Spending The Texas government had little money. Houston spent wisely: small army, small government, no wars. He also raised taxes. “We owed 1.25 million dollars for the equipment we bought and borrowed to fight the Texas Revolution. Most Texans refuse to pay taxes. We must save as much money as possible.” Deaf Smith

Annexation Houston WANTED Texas to be annexed. Most Texans came from the U.S. Texas and the U.S. shared a common culture. Texans wanted U.S. protection. The U.S. said no, because it would have 1. Caused a war with Mexico 2. It would have upset the balance between slave and non-slave states. “Texas needs the protection of the U.S. Mexico could invade at any time.” United States Please ?

Texas Army Texas could not afford to pay a large army, and the soldiers it did have wanted to invade Mexico. Houston sent most of the soldiers home and kept a small army for emergencies. Texas basically had NOT army when Houston was president. “If we attack Mexico and they whip us, then all our work is for nothing! Better to leave Mexico alone. They’ve got enough problems.”

Who was the first president of Texas? What were 3 problems Texas faced as a new country? Would you have voted for Sam Houston if you lived back then?