The Republic of Texas: 1836 - 1845 Section 1: Houston’s First Term Section 2: Lamar Takes Office Section 3: Houston’s Second Term Section 4: Anson Jones and Annexation Section 5: Daily Life in the Republic

Launching the New Government Under Sam Houston’s leadership, the new congress began work in October of 1836. His first task was to form a cabinet. Houston named Stephen F. Austin as secretary of state. Austin would be in charge of relations with other countries. Columbia became the site of the new capital. Later, the capital moved to the town of Houston.

Launching the New Government A cabinet is a group of people who take charge of certain duties.

Relations With Other Nations 1 Houston had two main foreign policy goals. Foreign policies are a government’s plan to deal with issues outside the country. Texans voted to ratify the Constitution of 1836 and to support annexation by the United States. Annexation is when one country takes over all or part of another country. The United States was the first nation to recognize Texas. Great Britain, France, and other nations waited to see if Texas could hold on to its freedom.

Relations With Other Nations 2 Relations between Mexico and Texas were tense. Mexico rejected the Treaty of Velasco. Mexico rejected the Rio Grande as the border of the new Republic. Texas objected to Mexico’s offer to sell Texas to the United States. Texans believed that this offer suggested that Mexico still owned Texas.

Houston’s Policies at Home 1 Domestic policies are a government’s plans to deal with issues inside the country. Armed forces - Most of Houston’s new troops were from the United States. They had missed the Texas Revolution, and they wanted to attack Mexico. Houston sent many of them home on leave. This would save money and keep them from causing trouble.

Houston’s Policies at Home 2 Relations with Texas Indians - Houston sent messages of friendship to several tribes. He tried to make treaties and set up trading posts. He had little support from Congress. Economic policies- Houston tried to cut government spending and impose taxes. However, few Texans could pay. He printed money, which proved to be worth very little.

A New Capital Chapter 9, Section 2 In 1838, Mirabeau Lamar became president of the Republic. During his three years in office, he undid many of Houston’s policies. He also changed the flag of the Republic to the Lone Star flag. Lamar persuaded Congress to move the capital to a small frontier settlement called Waterloo. As Waterloo grew, Congress renamed it Austin, in honor of Stephen F. Austin.

Lamar’s Foreign Policy Toward Mexico Lamar offered Mexico $5 million to resolve the ongoing conflict between Texas and Mexico. In return, Mexico had to: recognize Texas independence accept the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas Mexico rejected the offer. Peace talks failed because Mexico refused to negotiate with Texas. Lamar tried to convince Santa Fe and eastern New Mexico to join Texas. His Santa Fe expedition angered Mexico. Expedition - a journey made for some special purpose

Lamar’s Foreign Policy/Other Nations Lamar wanted the Republic of Texas to become a great nation and compete with the United States. France became the first European nation to recognize the Republic of Texas and agree to trade with the new nation. Great Britain was next, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Lamar’s Domestic Policies Chapter 9, Section 2 Armed forces - Lamar strengthened the army and navy. He fired Houston’s soldiers and built a new army. He recruited soldiers from the United States and paid them with land. Relations with Indians - Lamar believed that Native Americans blocked the Republic’s westward expansion. He used the newly strengthened army to drive the Indians from the frontier. Economic policies - Lamar ordered millions of paper dollars printed. He planned to back the money with a loan from France, but the loan fell through. This mistake lost him much support among the voters.

Houston Resumes Command Chapter 9, Section 3 Houston began his second term as president. Texas was bankrupt, and Indian raids still threatened the frontier. The Texas Economy Under Houston Houston reduced government spending by millions, but interest caused the debt to keep growing. Interest is the price paid for the use of borrowed money. Native American Peace Treaties Houston convinced many tribes to attend a “grand council” where a peace treaty was signed. He supported trade posts set up by the government.

Continued Conflict With Mexico 1 The Battle of Salado Creek Mexican troops captured San Antonio. A group of Texans hid near Salado Creek and lured Mexican troops into a trap. Though outnumbered, the Texans were victorious. In a nearby battle, Dawson’s Massacre, 50 Texans were killed, even though they surrendered to the Mexicans.

Continued Conflict With Mexico 2 The Archives War Fearing attack by the Mexicans, Houston ordered Rangers to move the archives from Austin to Houston. Archives are collections of important public documents, such as constitutions and other public records. The people of Austin resisted this move and attacked the Rangers. The archives remained in Austin.

Texas Responds to the Mexican Invasion Chapter 9, Section 3 Somervell’s Expedition Houston sent General Alexander Somervell to make sure that the Mexican army had left Texas. He was told to invade Mexico only if he could beat the Mexicans. He felt he could not, so he withdrew his troops. The Mier Expedition Some 300 of Somervell’s men refused to go home. Instead they attacked the Mexican town of Mier. When they ran out of supplies, they surrendered. Many escaped but were recaptured. As punishment, Santa Anna ordered 10 percent of them executed. In the Black Bean Episode, a lottery selected which 17 Texans would die.

Anson Jones Becomes President 1 Anson Jones’s Early Life Practiced medicine in Brazoria Fought in the Texas Revolution Served in Congress Appointed Minister to the United States by Sam Houston Later served in the U.S. Senate Served as secretary of state during Houston’s second term

Anson Jones Becomes President 2 Presidential Policies Maintained Houston’s peace policy toward Native Americans in Texas Tried to make peace with Mexico Tried to convince Mexico to recognize the independence of Texas Tried to convince the United States to annex Texas

Arguments For and Against Annexation Arguments For Annexation Being part of the United States would protect Texas from being retaken by Mexico. Joining the Union would enable Texans to use U.S currency, or money. Many Texans had family ties in the United States. Arguments Against Annexation As a slave state, Texas would upset the balance of free and slave states in the U.S. Congress. The United States was reluctant to admit a state so deeply in debt.

Negotiating an Agreement 1 The Treaty of 1844 Most Texans agreed to the Treaty of 1844, but it was vetoed by the United States Senate. Texas would become a territory of the United States. Texas would give up its public lands (lands owned by the government rather than by individuals). The United States would pay the debts of the Republic. Jones’s Strategy Jones enlisted the help of Great Britain to win a better deal for Texas. Britain was willing to help Texas in the hope that the Republic would remain independent.

Negotiating an Agreement 2 The Joint Resolution of 1845 Texas would join the United States as a state after its people approved a constitution. Texas would keep its public lands. Money used from the sale of public lands would be used to pay off the Texas debt. Texas could divide into as many as four states. Texas would be a slave state. Mexico offered to recognize Texas independence—if Texas rejected annexation by the United States. Joint resolution - an act of both houses of Congress that has the power of law

The New Texans 1 Chapter 9, Section 5 Between 1836 and 1845, many people moved to Texas for its abundance of cheap land. Texas leaders gave land to veterans and families of Texans killed in the revolution. No land was offered to African Americans or Native Americans. Veteran - a person who served in the armed forces

The New Texans 2 Chapter 9, Section 5 Texas required new settlers to live on the land for three years before they were given full ownership. The government did this to discourage land speculators. To speed up settlement, the government brought back the empresario system.

Population Growth of Texas, 1834 - 1847 Chapter 9, Section 5 How much did the population increase from 1834 to 1847? (Do the math)

Life on Farms Farmers The majority of farms in the Republic were small family farms. Most farmers practiced subsistence farming. They grew just enough crops to support the farm. Some planted cash crops, crops that are sold for profit.

Life on Ranches Ranchers Cattle ate for free on public grazing land. Cattle meat supplies often outpaced demand. Ranchers were challenged by thieves, drought, and disease. Sheep ranching grew as U.S. textile mills began requesting wool.

Life in Towns Chapter 9, Section 5 Towns - Most towns grew when farms and ranches appeared in an area. Some grew around one business. Towns offered goods and services not available on the farm. Many townsfolk were immigrants. Most Texas towns stayed small.

Life in Forts Chapter 9, Section 5 Armed forces - All fit men between 17 and 50 were eligible to serve. The military was mostly volunteer. Types of troops included infantry, artillery, and rangers. Daily life in the armed forces was routine, and consisted of drills and assigned tasks. Meals included salted beef, beans, and hardtack (stiff wafers of bread).

Education Chapter 9, Section 5 Schools The first Texas public school opened in Houston in 1839 and closed in 1840. Children were needed on the farm, so mothers often taught their children at home. Religious groups built the first places of higher learning in Texas. Rutersville College opened in 1840. Baylor University is the oldest continually operating university in Texas.

Worship Religion The Republic of Texas had no established church. Chapter 9, Section 5 Religion The Republic of Texas had no established church. The fastest growing religious groups in the Republic were Protestants. They held revivals to attract new members. A revival is a meeting designed to reawaken strong religious beliefs. Churches also published newspapers and built schools.