The Road to Revolution

1. The Road to Revolution

2. Constitution of 1824 • After Mexico won its independence it divided into states • Texas becomes Coahuila y Tejas

3. Mexican Constitution of 1824 • Mexico wrote a new constitution and modeled it after U.S. Constitution • President and Vice President (4 year terms) • Bi-Cameral Congress • Supreme Court • Catholic Faith is State religion • Each state drafted its own state constitution and was given certain state’s rights

4. President Bustamante • Was not following the Constitution of 1824 and instead gave the national government more power than the states • This was the exact opposite of what was outlined in the Mexican Constitution

5. Fredonian Revolt • Haden Edwards was given a land grant to settle Anglo Americans in Texas • When he got to his land he found people living there • Edwards told the settlersthey had to prove they had a grant and they could stay

6. Fredonian Revolt • The settlers appealed to the Mexican governor • The governor backed the settlers

7. Fredonian Revolt • Haden’s brother Benjamin took over Nacogdoches with a few men and declared it the free Republic of Fredonia.

8. Effect • Mexico sent in troops to recapture Nacogdoches • The Edwards brothers appealed to S F Austin for support • He refused to help them and sided with the Mexican officials • The Edwards brothers fled and for a short time tensions between Mexico and the settlers were eased

9. Mier y Teran Report • The Mexican government was concerned that there were too many Anglos in Texas • They were afraid they would lose Texas to the United States • General Manuel Mier y Teran was sent to report on the State of Texas

10. Mier y Teran Report • General Mier y Teran reported that U.S. influence was growing and Anglo settlers greatly outnumbered Mexican Settlers • This was unnerving for Mexico so….

11. Law of April 6, 1830 • The Mexican Congress passed the Law of April 6, 1830 • This act went against Constitution of 1824 • It laid out very specific state’s rights • Americans could no longer come to Texas • All Empresarial claims were cancelled • Slavery was abolished – in hopes it would deter any more Anglos from coming to Texas

12. Unrest in Texas • Citizens in Texas were very upset • Many of the settlers had come to Texas to get their new life started and left their families behind in the US • They had planned on bringing the rest of their families to join them • They also believed that the Mexican government was overstepping their power by telling the states what they could do

13. Unrest in Texas • Sensing the citizens uneasiness, Mexican officials sent troops to Texas. • Texans very much resented the presence of Mexican troops overseeing their day to day lives.

14. The Rise of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna • President Bustamante had proven he was a centralist • Supporter of strong national government • Ignored Constitution of 1824 • Angered Texans and was not in good favor with the State

15. Santa Anna’s Early Career • Was a cadet in Spanish Military • Served in mission to defeat the Gutierrez-Magee expedition • Shifted his loyalty from Spain to Mexico at the perfect time…. • ….Gained favor with the new government

16. Ambition • Made everyone think he was opposed to the Centralist • “Was actually a centralist himself” • 1832 Began a Revolution against Bustamante • Mexican Soldiers returned to Texas to fight

17. In Power • Stephen F. Austin told Santa Anna that the Texans supported him • They believed he supported their views • Again he was lying to gain power • Santa Anna becomes the leader of Mexico

18. Anahuac • George Fisher was a Mexican official charged with collecting customs duties. • Main job was to stop smuggling • First ordered all ships to report to the mouth of the Brazos to be checked • Did not work • Then ordered all ships to report to Anahuac at Galveston Bay before going to their destination

19. Problems • Galveston Bay was very much out of the way • Many had to go 200 miles inland to get papers to leave • Many captains ignored this order viewing it as unfair.

20. John Davis Bradburn • Mexican official directed to enforce laws • Arrested Francisco Madero for issuing land titles • Madero had not issued them to Americans, so he was not breaking the law • Bradburn then ordered the settlement Liberty be dismantled • Forced the settlers to rebuild Liberty and provide materials to do so.

21. William T. Logan • Showed up looking for his two slaves that had run away. • Bradburn was housing them • Hired lawyer William B. Travis to help him while he went to Louisiana to get his legal documents. • Travis told a guard Logan had returned armed.

22. Bradburn Freaks!!! • Logan never came and Bradburn looked silly • Bradburn unlawfully arrested Travis and his law partner • Settlers rose up and were ready to forcefully take Travis back • Bradburn told them he would release them if the settlers would retreat.

23. Bradburn Freaks!!! • Settlers retreated, Bradburn did not release Travis • Bradburn reinforced while settlers were not there

24. Turtle Bayou Resolutions • Texans drafted the Turtle Bayou Resolutions while John Austin went to obtain a cannon. • Resolutions said: • Colonist were loyal to Mexico • Supported Santa Anna • Loyal to Constitution of 1824

25. No More Bradburn • Before Austin’s return Colonel Jose de lasPiedras showed up to survey the situation • Saw how messed up everything was • Dismissed Bradburn • Released Travis and his partner • Ended the argument peacefully, but this was an omen for violence to come.