Transcript Causes of the Revolution PPT

Causes of the War for
Independence
Growing Tensions
• By the 1820s, Anglo American settlers in Texas
were becoming very independent, setting up their
own schools and newspapers.
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.
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.
The Republic of Fredonia
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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.
• 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.
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.
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.
Law of April 6, 1830
•
Mexico issued new laws.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Convention of
1832 and 1833
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•
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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Reforms
 In 1834, reforms were put into place.
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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
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.
Trouble Again
•
General Cos wanted the Texans to hand over Travis and
others. The people called a convention known as the
Consultation.
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