Causes of the War for Independence

1. Causes of the War for Independence

2. Growing Tensions • By the 1820s, Anglo American settlers in Texas were becoming very independent, setting up their own schools and newspapers.

3. Growing Tensions • In 1829, the Centralist party gained control over the Mexican government. The party began to take steps to bring the states and provinces of Mexico under the authority of the national government.

4. Growing Tensions • In 1825 the Mexican government awarded an empresario by the name of Haden Edwards a vast tract of land in East Texas. He was permitted to settle 800 families in the Nacogdoches area. When he arrived in Nacogdoches he found many people already living on his lands.

5. The Republic of Fredonia • Benjamin Edwards, Haden’s brother, believed that the only way to settle the dispute was to declare the colony independent from Mexico. • Along with 15-30 armed settlers Edwards took control of the old stone fort in Nacogdoches. The flag they raised said “Independence, Liberty, and Justice.” This became known as the Republic of ….Fredonia.

6. The Fredonian revolt was put down by Mexican troops that came from San Antonio. Some Fredonians were captured, but most fled to the United States.

7. General Manuel de Mier y Teran Investigates • Mexico was afraid of losing Texas to the U.S.A. They sent Mier y Teran to Texas for surveying.

8. General Manuel de Mier y Teran Investigates • He returned and said Anglos outnumbered Mexicans by 5 to 1 and American influence was strong. • In 1829 a decree was issued which abolished slavery in Mexico. Although Texas was not included in the decree it caused fear among the Anglo American slave holders living in Texas.

9. Law of April 6, 1830 • Mexico issued new laws. • No more U.S. immigration unless they were provided with a passport by the Mexican Govt. It also suspended most empresario contracts that had not been completed. • New forts were established to prevent smuggling, slavery, and illegal land speculation. • Placed high customs duties or taxes on goods traded between U.S. and Texas.

11. Unrest among settlers. The prosperity of many citizens depended upon continued growth and trade with the United States. Many colonists had friends and relatives who wanted to come to Texas. The Law of April 6, 1830, was an early turning point in relations between the colonists and the Mexican Government.

12. Protest at Anahuac • Anahuac was a port town with a small Mexican garrison. It was commanded by Colonel John Davis Bradburn. • In May 1832, Bradburn arrested two lawyers William B. Travis and Patrick C. Jack for interfering with the enforcement of laws.

13. Protest at Anahuac • Led by Frank W. Johnson and William H. Jack 160 settlers marched to Anahuac and demanded the release of Travis and Jack. • A skirmish occurred between the settlers and Bradburn. Both sides called for reinforcements. • While waiting for reinforcements, the settlers adopted the Turtle Bayou Resolutions which said that they were not rebelling against Mexico, but supporting Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. • Colonel Piedras came from Nacogdoches and removed Blackburn and ended the rebellion.

15. Battle of Velasco • The Texans were returning to Anahuac with a cannon, but were not allowed to pass at Velasco. The Texans won the battle because the Mexican garrison ran out of ammunition.

16. Convention of 1832 and 1833 • Delegates from Texas met to make changes in Texas. • October 1, 1832 fifty eight delegates assembled in San Felipe. Stephen F. Austin was elected President of the convention.

17. Convention of 1832 and 1833 • RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONVENTION • Texas was to be made a separate Mexican State and immigration from the U.S. was to be permitted again. • They wanted an exemption from certain import taxes, improved educational facilities, better protection from Native Americans, and land titles for settlers in East Texas.

18. Convention of 1832 and 1833 • For various reasons, these resolutions were never presented to officials in Mexico. • The convention of 1833 had many new delegates including Sam Houston representing Nacogdoches. The convention adopted many of the same resolutions from 1832. However, the convention prepared a constitution for the proposed Mexican State of Texas. • (Main difference convention of 1833 created a constitution)

19. Austin’s Trip to Mexico • Austin left for Mexico City in April 1833, and arrived 3 months later, finding Santa Anna to be out of town. A cholera epidemic was killing thousands of people in the capital city, but Austin waited for Santa Anna’s return.

20. Austin’s trip to Mexico • Austin became discouraged after waiting for several months for Santa Anna to return. He wrote a letter to authorities in San Antonio encouraging Texans to form their own government.

21. Austin’s Trip to Mexico • In November 1833 Santa Anna returned, and agreed to many of Austin’s request. However, he did not grant Texas separate statehood. Austin was pleased and left the capital for Texas.

22. Convention of 1833 • Austin was arrested in Saltillo in northern Mexico for the letter he had written to authorities in San Antonio months earlier. He was put in prison and remained there for one year. He was released on bail Christmas day 1834, but was required to stay in Mexico City.

23. Reforms • In 1834, reforms were put into place. • English the official language for transactions • immigration from the U.S. reopened • better court systems • more Texas representatives on the state legislature • religious toleration granted

24. Trouble Again • Trouble in Anahuac erupted again over custom duties and a Texan by the name of Andrew Briscoe was taken prisoner. William Travis led a group and freed him and sent the Mexicans out of Texas.

25. Trouble Again • General Cos wanted the Texans to hand over Travis and others. The people called a convention known as the Consultation.

26. Trouble Again • The Consultation had mixed reviews with two parties forming: the war party and the peace party. Austin supported the Consultation and said Santa Anna was becoming a dictator