Steps Towards Revolution! 1827-1836

1. Steps Towards Revolution! 1827-1836 Chapter 6

2. Section 1: Cultural Differences in Colonial TX *Distrust between Mexico & the U.S. -U.S. was a power on the rise: pop. growing, people looked to west for more land (LA Purchase 1803, land claims led to War of 1812 w/Britain, Florida from Spain 1819) -Mexico believed U.S. now wanted control of TX -Tried to settle TX on their own terms to keep U.S. from taking it over *U.S. Actions -Did not think Mex. needed/wanted TX WHY??? Spanish & Mexicans didn’t settle TX

3. -U.S. leaders now trying to buy TX from Mex. -Suggested changes to Adams-Onis Treaty (U.S. gave up TX claim) in 1825 -U.S. now offered Mex. $1 million – wow! -Mexicans believed U.S. would force Mex. to give up TX. -Mexico did not trust the U.S.! *Different Views: American experience: Key beliefs: 1. Civilians, not military leaders should rule the country (feared military would control the people) 2. Separation of Church & State – government should not favor any religion & people should be free to choose their own religion

4. 3. Self-government – taking an active role in laws/decisions (gov’t. should allow them to speak their minds!) Mexican Experience: Key beliefs: • Many centers of power: Army, Catholic Church, leaders of the Mexican Revolution -Army favored a strong ruler and didn’t have to answer to civilian leaders -Catholic Church was the state church: Leaders played important role in nation’s gov’t. and society -Mex. Leaders with ideals of liberty & equality. Three groups fought for control

5. The Issue of Slavery *Different views of slavery! -Mex. did not allow it HOWEVER….Stephen F. Austin convinced Mex. Leaders to allow it for his settlers b/c he believed Americans wouldn’t move without it. -Mexico tried to ban it several times, but couldn’t enforce the ban! *Southern U.S. deeply entrenched in slavery. -Few Americans willing to accept Mexican ways in TX *All of these differences will cause great trouble in TX!!!!

6. Settlers Practice “Independence” Texas settlers had to: swear loyalty to Mex., become Mex. Citizens & Catholics…..said they would, but didn’t. -Brought American culture/practices -Spoke English, lived the same as in U.S., set up their own schools, traded w/the U.S. -To many colonists: little evidence of living in Mexico -Few settlers had contracts with Mex. Leaders -Mex. gov’t. did little for them *Life in TX looked like life in the U.S. -Arrangement worked……but only for awhile!

7. Section 2: Mexico Imposes Its Authority -Public opinion in U.S. supported rebels Mier y Teran visits Texas: -1827 Mex. sent General Mier y Teran to explore and write a report about the situation in TX -Noted the further you travel north, TX became less and less “Mexican.” For each Mexican there were 10 “foreigners.” -Mex. gov’t. far away and didn’t affect the lives of the settlers -Said opinion of Mexico held by foreigners was low -Warned Mexican gov’t. of a revolution!

8. -Mier y Teran’s recommendations: • Send more Mexican troops into TX • Government send more Mexican & European settlers (weaken influence of settlers from U.S.) • Mexico increase its trade with TX (would bring TX & rest of Mex. closer together) *Government alarmed! Adopted many of his ideas.

9. Mexico Angers the Settlers -Slavery ends temporarily: 1829 – Mex. President Vicente Guerrero ended slavery in Mex. -Threats to slavery meant fewer settlers from the U.S. -Was not strongly enforced The Law of April 6, 1830: Mexico tried to end immigration altogether -Mex. Congress passed law to stop people from the U.S. coming into TX -Canceled nearly all empresario contracts -Outlawed bringing slaves into TX *GOAL: Make TX more “Mexican.” -Anglo settlers in TX outraged!!!

10. Other Changes in Mexico & Texas -Mexico tried to strengthen control over TX…situation got worse! Collecting Taxes: Mexico placed tariffs (taxes) on goods from the U.S. making U.S. goods cost more than Mexican goods. Troops in TX: Mex. sent more soldiers to the Alamo, Nacogdoches, & Goliad Also set up new garrisons (military posts) in five other points. Soldiers collected taxes & enforced immigration laws The Military Takes Control: Across Mexico, military rulers replaced civilian leaders – settlers believed it was their right to stand up to the Mexican leaders.

11. Section 3: The Texas Settlers Resist *Unrest Among the Texas Settlers -Actions made Texans angry b/c they didn’t like the law of April 6, 1830 -Trouble at Anahuac: Anahuac was a port where the Mexicans would collecttaxes on imported goods -The taxes were meant to raise money for Mexico and to encourage INTERNAL trade within Mexico (and not always with the US) -Juan (John) Bradburn was the Mexican commander at Anahuac -Bradburn took slaves and supplies from settlers without paying

12. -May 1832, after Bradburn arrested William Travis and Patrick Jack for interfering with his efforts to enforce the laws, threw them in jail without charging them of a crime. -Settlers had enough! Texas settlers take up arms -Settlers thought Bradburn abused his power….legal under Mexican law -Opposition grew - the story sparked a rebellion! -Bradburn refused the release of Travis & Jack -Rebels wanted to march on Bradburn’s garrison but wanted more firepower -Sent John Austin (NOT related to SFA) to Brazoria to find cannons for the attack

13. Turtle Bayou Resolutions -While rebels waited for Austin & cannons wrote the Turtle Bayou Resolutions (June 1832) – stated causes of revolt! -Said Bradburn ignored the Constitution of 1824 -Pledged loyalty to the constitution -Pledged support for General Santa Anna b/c he supported the constitution *First organized protest against Mexico…..not the last!

14. Avoiding the crisis: -Mexican Colonel Piedras went to Anahuac & found settlers preparing for battle! -He didn’t want a fight, but chose to listen -To avoid trouble: Replaced Bradburn as commander at Anahuac & released Travis and Jack from prison *Satisfied, the Texas army disbanded For now…..no fighting occurred

15. Bloodshed at Velasco -John Austin and the rebels continued the mission to get the cannons back to Anahuac to fire on Bradburn’s outpost -One obstacle: Mexican fort on the Brazos R. at Velasco -Mex. Commander ordered rebel ship to stop – settlers refused -Rebels fired on the fort & attacked from the ground -Casualties on both sides -Mexican soldiers ran out of ammunition & surrendered *Hard feelings had now led to bloodshed!!! Settlers rose up against their own leaders BUT did not give up on Mexico…..wanted REFORM (improvements in the system)