The Republic of Texas

1. The Republic of Texas Photo from http://www.srttexas.org/Graphic/Texas%20Flag%20Redone.jpg

2. Results of the Election of 1836 President: Vice President: Congress: Constitution: Annexation: The Early Republic Sam Houston Mirabeau B. Lamar elected senators and representatives approved the Texas Constitution of 1836 voted to seek U.S. annexation of Texas

3. was bold liked flashy clothing worked on keeping peace with Mexico and the Native Texans. spent little money promoted annexation of Texas to the U.S. liked quiet reading did not shy away from conflicts with Mexico and the Native Texans. wanted to get rid of ALL Native Texans spent LARGE sums of borrowed money on military expeditions wanted Texas to remain independent and expand its borders LAMAR HOUSTON

4. Council House Fight • Lamar also wanted the Comanches out of Southwest Texas. • Many skirmishes took place Texas troops vs Comanches. • Finally the Comanches agreed to meet in San Antonio (March - 1840) to discuss peace. • The Comanches promised to release all Anglo captives. • One Anglo girl released looked as though she had been tortured. The Texans were outraged!

5. The Texans refused to let the Comanche leaders leave without having all the Texas captives released from all Comanche bands. • When the Comanche leaders tried to leave, they were attacked. This fight was known as the Council House Fight. • 7 Texans were killed. • MANY Comanche leaders were killed. • The Comaches were outnumbered and unarmed.

6. BATTLE OF PLUM CREEK • When news of the Council House Fight reached the Comanche villagers, they were FURIOUS! • They thought their leaders should have been safe while attending the PEACE talks. • The Comanches killed the rest of the Texas prisoners and raided the towns of Linnville and Victoria (South Texas.) • The Texans fought back killing more than 100 Comanches in a battle called

7. EDUCATION • Lamar is best known for his contributions to public education. • Lamar believed that a strong educational system would make Texas a great nation. • The Texas Congress set aside almost 18,000 acres of land in each county for public schools. • Although few schools were actually build during Lamar’s administration, he became known as the “FATHER EDUCATION IN TEXAS”.

8. Mexican Troops Return ...and take Texans hostage! • In September of that same year, Mexican soldiers invaded Texas again. • General Woll led 1,400 Mexican soldiers to San Antonio where they captured San Antonio again and took 67 Texas hostages with them. • Houstonsent a group of 300 militia to pursue Woll and his men. • This Texas militia was led by General Alexander Somervell.

9. Somervell's forces chase the Mexican soldiers. • Before Somervell’s forces could reach the Mexican troops, they had already crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico. • Somervell stopped the chase because he thought his orders prohibited him to cross into Mexico. • Many members of the militia were upset. • They didn’t want to leave without a fight. • They thought they didn’t have enough supplies to return across South Texas. • In revolt, the militia elected William Fisher to lead them into Mexico. • They crossed the Rio Grande on December 23, 1842.

10. The Mier Expedition • Once in Mexico, the Texans demanded that the citizens of Mier (a small town) provide them with needed supplies. • While the Texans waited, Mexican general Pedro de Ampudía and his troops arrived and captured them. • Santa Anna ordered one of every ten prisoners to be put to death. (The others would be imprisoned for LIFE!)

11. How did they decide which of the Texans would be killed? Thomas Green, a member of the expedition, explained how the Mexican leaders decided which men would be killed: “…by the drawing of black and white beans from a small earthen mug. The white ones signified exemption, and the black death. One hundred and fifty-nine white beans were placed in the bottom of the mug, and seventeen black ones were placed upon the top of them.” • If the prisoner drew a black bean, they were shot by a firing squad. The ones drawing a white bean were imprisoned. • Many of the Texans died in prison and the others were released in 1844.

12. THE ELECTIONS OF 1844 In TEXAS: • The Texans elected Dr. Anson Jones as president. • Edward Burleson was elected vice-president. In the U.S.: • CANDIDTATES: • Martin Van Buren – Free Soil Party • Henry Clay – Whig Party • James K. Polk – Democratic Party Polk, who among his party favored the annexation of Texas, won the election.

13. TEXAS BECOMES A STATE • On February 26, 1845, the U.S. Congress approved a joint resolution, agreeing to accept Texas as the 28th state. • On February 19, 1846, President Jones announced the annexation of Texas. Joint resolution – formal ruling passed by both houses of the legislature and intended to become a law

14. First 3 Republic of Texas Presidents Lamar Houston Jones • increased government spending • faced financial problems • “Redbacks” issued • encouraged war with Mexico and Indians • supported military expeditions • established public education • wanted TX to be independent • served as president of the Republic of Texas • served 1 term • announced the annexation of Texas • supported annexation • served as president of the Republic of Texas • served 1 term • limited government spending • faced financial problems • promissory notes • was peaceful with Mexico and the Indians • reduced the army • eliminated the navy • supported annexation • served as president of the Republic of Texas • served 2 terms