Republic of Texas Leaders

4. Expenditures & Debt $$

7. Annexation

3. Political Issues

9. Houston v Lamar Overview

6. Native Americans in TX

2. Background

8. Presidents of the Republic of Texas

5. Government Location

1. Map: 1519-1845

Index

Texas: 1519 - 1845

From exploration, to Mexican Statehood, to the Republic of Texas, to United States statehood in 326 years.

• Spain began expoloring what we now call Texas in 1519. There were already numerous Native American tribes living in all parts of Texas.
• Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1810 and won its independence in 1821. This included the area we now call Texas. What we now call Texas became part of the state of Coahuila y Tejas, Mexico.

Background

• Moses Austin had gained permission from Spain to settle a group of settlers in Texas. After he died and after Mexico gained its independence, his son (Stephen F. Austin) was given permission to be an empressario and a colony in Texas.
• In 1824, Stephen F. Austin settled "The Old 300." These were the first 300 families settled in Austin's Colony.

Background

• The revolution began in 1835 with the Battle of Gonzales, and Texas officially declared its independence in March 1836. In April of 1836, the Texian Army defeated Santa Ana and the Mexican Army. Texas was now the Republic of Texas.

Background

First, as a new nation what were the primary issues Republic of Texas presidents had to deal with?

• MONEY! Expenditures and Debt
• LOCATION: Capital & Capitol
• Mexico Relations & Conflicts
• Native American Relations & Conflicts
• Annexation or Empire?

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Expenditures and Debt

The new Republic of Texas government did not have enough money to pay its leaders or its army. It also owed $1.25 million in public debt from the cost of the revolution.

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Capital & Capitol Location

One of the first tasks of the new government was to decide where the capital, and therefore the the capitol buidling, would be located. The current site was Columbia (just west of modern Houston), and it was too small and rugged for a seat of government.

Native American Conflicts & Policies

President Houston worked to improve relationswith the Natives. He struck a deal with the Cherokees, who were living in East Texas, and they promised to remain peaceful if they were granted legal title to their land. However, the Texian senate refused to accept the treaty, and more and more settlers moved onto Cherokee territory.

The Waco, Comanche, Kiowa, and other Native American groups resented the Texans living on their lands. The Comanche and Kiowa were especially hostile. As white settlers increased in Central Texas, Native Americans launched raids on farms and settlements in central Texas.

Annexation (click for more info)

In the 1836 Republic of Texas elections, Texians had voted that they would like to join the United States. Most Texians were from the United States and they liked the U.S. Constitution and government. They wanted their new home to become part of the old one. They hoped to have Texas debt erased and were fearful of attacks by Mexico; they wanted U.S. protection.

Republic of Texas Presidents (elected)

Sam Houston

He served as president twice. His first term was from 1836 - 1838.

Mirabeau Lamar

He was the second president and served from 1838 - 1841.

Sam Houston

His second term as president was as the third president. He served from 1841 - 1844

Dr. Anson Jones

He was the fourth and last president of the republic. He served from 1844 - 1846.

• 2nd president of Texas
• Anti-Annexation - he was against annexation and wanted Texas to remain an independent nation and eventually become an empire.
• He did not trust Native Americans and wanted them to all leave Texas.
• Made Austin the capital of Texas.
• He spent money building the Texas Navy and trying to expand Texas.

VS

Mirabeau Lamar

• 1st & 3rd president of Texas
• Pro-Annexation - he was in favor of annexation and wanted Texas to become a state in the U.S.
• He tried to improve relations with Native Americans and wanted to work with them.
• Made Houston the capital of Texas.
• He worried about the Texas debt and worked on cutting costs.

Sam Houston

The End