Events that Caused the Texas Revolution

1826-1836

*The Road to Revolution

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*Governing Differences

*Mexican government:

1. unstable and unreliable

2. too much power in one person

3. power struggles lead to changes in laws

*United States Govt: 1. Stable, dependable system

2. Bill of Rights: individual rights and freedoms

3. Checks and Balances

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*Mexican fears and problems

*too many foreigner settlers not loyal to Mexico

*suspicious of U.S.

Centralists vs. Federalists—power struggle for control of gov.

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*U.S. Settlers Viewpoint

*Needed protection from Indians

*Fear of unstable gov.

*Used to having stable gov. and the bill of rights! Free Speech, Freedom of religion, etc.

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*Fredonian Rebellion

*Edwards gets contract to settle lands around Nacogdoches.

*Won’t honor settlers claims who already live there.

*Tried to claim independence from Mexico to get what they wanted: Money!!!

*Created Fredonian Republic

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*Mexican Reaction

*Mexican gov. fears further revolts

*Sends Mier y Teran who says Anglo- American influence too strong! (U.S.)

*Causes crack down and send Mex. Troops to Texas to control settlers.

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*Law of April 6, 1830

Effect:

No further immigration from the US

Called for military occupation in Texas

No introduction of new slaves

Suspended empresario contracts

*Bustamante was Centralist and Dictator

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*Anahuac*Mexican soldiers garrisoned to enforce trade laws at this port.*Collect Taxes on imports from U.S.*Bradburn jailed William B. Travis and Patrick Jack for opposing Mexican laws and starting a civil militia.*A fight broke out to release Travis and Jack.

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* Anahuac leads to Turtle Bayou Resolutions

*Texans wrote Resolutions camped on the Turtle Bayou waiting for cannons to use against Bradburn’s troops to free Travis and Jack.

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*Turtle Bayou Resolutions:

*Texans pledged loyalty to Mexico, but under the Constitution of 1824- which recognized the rights of the states and was modeled after the U.S. Constitution.

*They backed the revolt of Santa Anna who they thought was a reformer.

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*Battle at Velasco

*The Texans brought the cannon by boat to attack Bradburn’s forces.

*They passed the Mex. garrison at Velasco commanded by Col. Ugartechea.

*Fighting erupted between Texan and Mexicans, both sides lost lives.

*Col. Ugartechea surrendered.

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*1832-1833

*Mexico: Santa Anna becomes president in 1833.

*Texans had hopes Santa Anna would be a Federalist and give Texans back their rights.

*Texans wanted a state separate from Coahuila.

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* Conventions of 1832 and 1833

*October 1,1832:

*SFA was President of Convention

*Resolutions:

*Texas would be a separate state

*Immigration would be reinstated, along with other issues

*April 1, 1833:

*same resolutions as 1832, which had not been presented to Mexico

*Also prepared a Constitution for the proposed State of Tex. (to show ready to be a state)

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*SFA goes to Mexico

*SFA sent to Mexico City to present Turtle Bayou Resolutions to government.*Santa Anna government in chaos.*Cholera epidemic in Mexico City.*SFA sends letter back to Texas: go ahead and form a government---situation down here is too difficult.*Letter intercepted, SFA imprisoned

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* Santa Anna Institutes Reforms

*1834: *English made official language for trade

*Immigration allowed

*Religious tolerance granted

*Texas not a separate state, but increased representation in legislature

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* New Trouble in 1835

*Scene: Anahuac

*Issue: Customs taxes

*Result: Arrest of protesters

*Military action led by William B. Travis (who was the prisoner the last time)

*Mexican soldiers surrendered

*Some Texans wanted to fight/ Some wanted peace at all costs: War Party and Peace Party

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* General Cos: Not Pro-Texan!

*Santa Anna had switched parties and become a Centralist

*His General was unsympathetic to Texas complaints

*Cos sends many troops to Texas to arrest those not loyal to Mexico

*Texans gravely concerned!!

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* Consultation of 1835

*The Texans met to plan

*War Party-those wanting to break from Mexico

*Peace Party-those wanting to keep the peace

*SFA arrives back from imprisonment in Mexico: convinced Santa Anna was now a dictator- SFA recommended war.