The Republic of Texas

1836-1845

Sam Houston 1836-1838

• Constitution was written in 1836 based on the U.S. Constitution

• Annexation – The people voted for Sam Houston and for annexation to the U.S.

• This didn’t happen immediately because of concerns the U.S. had about slavery and continued problems with Mexico.

• Houston wanted annexation so the U.S. could help with our debt and for protection from the Indians.

Sam Houston

• Financial problems• Debt – over $ 1,000,000• Houston held govt. expenses to a minimum

and raised revenue through property taxes and customs duties.

• Financial problems did not improve

Sam Houston

• Mexico• They refused to recognize the Treaty of

Velasco• Many Texans wanted war but Houston knew

we didn’t need war so he sent what was left of the army home ( didn’t have to pay them either).

Sam Houston

• Native Americans• Houston was sympathetic to the Cherokees ) he had

lived with them for a while).• Houston had signed a treaty for them to have title to

their land in East Texas if they were peaceful. Congress refused to honor the treaty.

• Settlers wanted rid of the Indians. Indians didn’t like the settlers on their lands.

• Houston had the Texas Rangers patrol Texas and keep settlers safe from Indian attacks.

Mirabeau B. Lamar1838-1841

Lamar

• Indians• He wanted them forced out or extinguished• Cherokees in East Texas removed to Oklahoma• Council House fight – 7 Texans killed and

Comanche leaders• The Battle of Plum Creek – This was in response

to Comanche killings of white prisoners after Council House fight

Lamar

• Mexico• Sent the Texas Navy to help rebel groups

fighting Mexico – this increased tensions• Santa Fe Expedition – He thought the Rio

Grande river extending into Colorado made that our territory. He sent an expedition to claim it and they were captured and held in Mexico as prisoners until 1842.

Lamar

• Moved capital to Austin• Education - “Father of Public Education”• Set aside 18,000 acres for public schools• Set aside 220,000 acres for universities• Texas – Great Nation if educated

Lamar

• Money• Debt increased to over $ 7,000,000• He spent money on Indian battles and expeditions

into Mexico, and New Mexico, as well as on Education.

• Land• Texas gave away a lot of land to settlers who were

already here, immigrants, and men who served in the army.

• The government sold land to private investors.

Sam Houston 1841-1844

Houston

• Money• Cut back government spending• Reduced army and cut navy• Tried to move capital to Washington-on-the-

Brazos, including state archives• The archives stayed in Austin as well as most

of the seat of the government

Houston

• The Mier Expedition• The Mexicans in 1842 on two occasions attacked San

Antonio and captured some residents taking them as hostages.

• Houston sent a force to go after them.• They followed them to the Rio Grande but would not cross

into Mexico.• Eventually the Texans appointed a new leader and went

into Mexico and were eventually captured at Mier, Mexico. They were taken to Mexico City and many were executed.

Houston

• Annexation• Houston again tried diligently to get Texas annexed to

the U.S.• John Tyler was the new president.• The vote for annexation fell one vote short.• Houston tricks the U.S. into believing that Texas would

become an ally of Britain unless they are annexed.• The next president in 1844, James K. Polk campaigned

for Texas annexation, it probably would not be long.

Anson Jones 1844-1845

Anson Jones

• Jones defeats Edward Burleson for the presidency of Texas in 1844.

• Jones carries on with most of Houston’s policies, especially the annexation of Texas to the U.S.

• The Texas Congress and the people agree to be annexed by the U.S.

• A new state constitution is ratified in 1845.• Mexico offers Texas total recognition as a separate country

if they do not join the U.S.• The U.S. congress in 1845 approve a joint resolution to

accept Texas as the 28th state.

Anson Jones

• 10..“The Lone Star of Texas, which ten years since arose amid clouds over fields of carnage, and obscurely shone for a while, has passed on and become fixed in that glorious……American Union….The Republic of Texas is no more.”

• What was Jones referring to in this speech in 1846?• A. Texas becoming a country• B. Texas annexation to the U.S.• C. Texas Revolution• D. Texas becoming part of Mexico again

You complete the rest of the flow chart

• 1. One person in your group reads the information

• 2. How did the presidents deal with the following four areas?– A. Indians– B. Money or debt problems– C. Annexation to the U.S.– D. Mexico