1. Issues Faced By the Republic of Texas
Grade 7, Unit: 06 Lesson: 04
Issues Faced By the Republic of Texas
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Grade 7 Unit 6, Lesson 4

2. President Houston 1836-1838, 1841-1844 Frontier bold and popular
First president of Texas
Limited government spending
Established peaceful relations with Mexico and American Indians
Encouraged annexation
Image credit: Library of Congress. Brady, M. (Photographer). ( ). Sam Houston [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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3. Stephen F. Austin Dies Appointed Secretary of State 43 years old
Died of pneumonia
The Father of Texas is no more…The first pioneer of the wilderness has departed. – Sam Houston
Proclaims a 30-day period of mourning
Image credit: (1840). Stephen F. Austin [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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4. The Location of the Capital
Supports Houston as the capital
Named in honor of Sam Houston by the founders, the Allen Brothers
Designated as the capital for 3 years
People complained of muddy streets, crudely built buildings, and swarms of mosquitoes
Image credit: Texas General Land Office. Houston, TX – Main Street and Texas Avenue, April 19, 1837 – 1839 [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
First Capitol Building, 1837
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5. Recognition As A Nation State
The Republic was…
NOT RECOGNIZED by Mexico
NOT RECOGNIZED by the United States until March 1837
RECOGNIZED by France, Great Britain, and the Netherlands starting in 1839
Houston thought if European countries recognized Texas, the United States would be interested in annexing.
Image credit: Ashbel Smith [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
Ashbel Smith, Minister Plenipotentiary from the Republic of Texas to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and France
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6. Denied Annexation to the U.S.
Supported by Sam Houston
Supported by most Texans
Not originally supported by the United States even though it could lead to western expansion
U.S. was worried about damaging relationship with Mexico and tipping the balance of power of the U.S. slave states
Image credit: National Park Service. (Designer). (2007, March 28). South Texas, Between 1836 and 1848 [Web Map]. Retrieved from
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7. Debt 1836 – $1.25 million Placed a tax on.. Imported goods (tariff)
Property
Businesses
Land Title Fees
Reduces army and eliminates the navy
Houston worked hard at reducing the size of the government and collecting taxes, but by the end of the Republic, Texas was in debt $10 million
Image Credit: Texas State Library and Archives Commission. (Photographer). (2011, August 30). Texas Currency 1839 [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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8. Republic of Texas Military
Army
1836 Sent all but 600 soldiers home on leave
1841 Reduces the army and uses Texas Rangers to patrol the frontier
Captain Jack Coffee Hays was one of the most famous Texas Rangers
Navy
A drain on the nation’s finances
Houston sells ships
Mexican blockades and constant threat of an invasion by Mexico
Texas Rangers – law enforcement group initially formed to protect settlers along the frontier; later became a police force in Texas; assisted U. S. army during U.S. – Mexican War
Image credit: Brady, M. (Photographer). (1857). Jack Coffee Hays [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
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9. Mier Expedition desending the Rio Grande
Relations with Mexico
Threats and blockades
Mexico invades taking control of San Antonio but retreats
Archives War – Results in conflict over removal of archives in Austin
Texas Rangers protect the border
Mier Expedition – Texans invade Mexico without the authority of Houston
Houston works hard at maintaining peace with Mexico
Image credit: Texas State Library and Archives Commission. McLauglin, C. (Artist). (1845). Mier Expedition desending the Rio Grande [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
Mier Expedition desending the Rio Grande
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10. Relations with American Indians
Mostly peaceful
Houston was sympathetic to the American Indians because of his past relationship with them. Most Texans were not.
Houston tried to negotiate a peace treaty with Cherokees, but it was not approved by Congress
Built frontier forts
Used Texas Rangers to control attacks by Natives
Image credit: Smithsonian Museum of American Art. Catlin, G. (Artist). (1834-5). Comanche Village, Women Dressing Robes and Drying Meat [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
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11. President Mirabeau Lamar 1838-1841
Well-educated and refined
Used military force against Mexico and American Indians
Supported the Republic of Texas
Opposed annexation
Promoted education
Increased debt
Relocated capital to Austin
Image credit: Mirabeau B. Lamar [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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12. Debt Loss of the Invincible
Issued more paper money called “Redbacks” worth 15 cents on the U.S. dollar
Cost of Indian Wars – $2.5 million
Financed the failed Santa Fe Expedition
Kept Texas Navy active and bought several ships.
$7 million in debt by the end of his term
"Loss of the Invincible" by Fred Toler, from a series of paintings of ships of the Texas Navy. Depicts the Texan schooner of war "Invincible" engaging the Mexan Brigs "Libertador" and "Iturbide" on August 26, 1837.
Toler, F. (Artist). Loss of the Invicible [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
Loss of the Invincible
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13. New Capital First Statehouse
Lamar disliked the present capital being named in honor of Sam Houston
Many thought the capital needed to be more centrally located
Congress authorized Waterloo as the new capital
Waterloo renamed Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin
Image credit: Texas State Library and Archives Commission. First Texas State Capitol Building [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
First Statehouse
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14. Relations With Mexico Cordova Rebellion
Defeated Mexicans and American Indians still loyal to Mexico living in Nacogdoches
Edwin Moore, Commodore of the Texas Navy, aided Mexican rebels. Dishonorably discharged by Houston
1841 Santa Fe Expedition
Sent troops without Congressional approval to Santa Fe (Mexico) to claim it as Texas territory
Texans surrendered, taken prisoner, and increased tensions with Mexico
Image credit: Route of the Santa Fe Expedition [Web Map]. Retrieved from
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Santa Fe Expedition

15. Relations with Texas Indian tribes
Wanted to eliminate or force them out of Texas
Forced the Cherokee tribe to Oklahoma and had Chief John Bowles killed
Large number of raids and kidnappings
Council House Fight – A miscommunication between the Comanche tribe and Texans to discuss peace led to the death of Texans and Comanche leaders
Image credit: (1849). San Antonio Plaza [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
The Plaza and the Council House in San Antonio
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16. Education
Image credit: Bump, J. (Photographer). (2012). Hall of Noble Words, University of Texas [Print Photo]. Retrieved from
Texans listed “failure to establish public” schools as a grievance in the Declaration of Independence.
Improving education was Lamar’s goal
Set aside 18,000 acres of land in each county for public schools
Set aside 220,000 acres for two public universities
Known as the “Father of Education in Texas”
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17. President Anson Jones 1844-1845
Involved in the development of the Republic of Texas
1841 – Served under Sam Houston as Secretary of State
Supported annexation
Image credit: Hathorn, B. (Photographer). (2010, August 17). Anson Jones Statue, Anson TX [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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18. Relations With Mexico
Mexican government offered to recognize Texas independence if they rejected annexation.
Mexico will consider war with the United States over annexation.
Image credit: Library of Congress. Disturnell, J. (Designer). (1847). Mapa de los Estados Unidos de Méjico [Web Photo]. Retrieved ct000127))
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19. Annexation to the U.S.
Ratified by the U.S. Congress December 29, 1845
Annexation ceremonies on the step of the capitol February 19, 1846
State government turned over to Governor James Pinckney Henderson
Becomes the 28th state
“The final act in this great drama is now performed: the Republic of Texas is no more.”
Farewell Address
President Anson Jones
Image credit:
National Archives and Records Administration. (Photographer). (1844, December 12). Joint Resolution for annexing Texas to the United States [Web Photo]. Retrieved from
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20. Republic of Texas
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