Tensions Rise Between Mexico & Texas

1. Tensions Rise Between Mexico & Texas Chapter 9.1

2. Tensions Begin • Although most Texas colonists accepted Mexican law, some kept many of their Anglo customs & began establishing their own schools & newspaper. • As a result, the Mexican government began to worry that Texas colonists were becoming too independent.

3. States’ Rights Government • The Mexican Constitution of 1824 established a states’ rights government. • Texas settlers supported this since they had more local control in Tejas y Coahuila.

4. Nationalists Mexican nationalists worried that too many Anglo settlers were moving to Texas. They feared that having a strong state government would encourage Anglos to take control of Texas & join the U.S.

5. Think Pair Share • What is the difference between a States’ Rights Government & a Nationalist Government?

6. Haden Edwards • Haden Edwards was an empresario who found that there were already Mexican & Cherokee families living in his land grant in Nacogdoches. • Edwards then required these families to show him proof of ownership, which many did not have.

7. Haden Edwards • Edwards then said that settlers who could not prove legal ownership of their land would lose it. • Many settlers were angered & wrote letters to the Mexican government to complain & won their case.

8. Edwards Overturns An Election • Haden Edwards also overturned an election for Alcalde of Nacogdoches in order for his son-in-law to win. • The Mexican Governor, Victor Blanco, reversed the election decision, took away Edwards’ land grant & ordered he & his brother to leave Texas.

9. Fredonian Rebellion (1826) On December 16, 1826, Benjamin Edwards led a group into Nacogdoches, declared independence from Mexico & waved a flag that read “Independence, Liberty and Justice”.

10. Fredonian Rebellion (1826) • Edward’s group of Anglos & Cherokees removed the alcalde, took over the Old Stone Fort for 1 month & claimed it as the capital of Fredonia. • This rebellion confirmed the Mexican government’s fear that Texans intended to take control of Texas.

11. Fredonian Rebellion (1826) Stephen F. Austin worried that Edwards’ disloyalty would reflect badly on Texas colonists & decided to send a militia to join Mexican troops to crush the Fredonianrebellion.

12. Fredonian Rebellion (1826) • In January 1827, the Fredonians gave up even before Mexican soldiers arrived in Nacogdoches, with Haden & Benjamin Edwards fleeing to safety in Louisiana.

13. Attempt To Purchase Texas • Tensions increased even more when U.S. President John Quincy Adams sent Joel R. Poinsett to Mexico in 1826 to offer $1 million for Texas. • Mexican officials were offended that the U.S. would think that Mexico would sell part of their country.