1. 175 Years of Texas Revolution, Republic, and the United States;1836-1845
2. Texas and Mexico, 1821-1836 Texians and Tejanos? Stephen F. Austin Juan Seguin Jose Antonio Navarro Sam Houston William Travis Davy Crockett Jim Bowie Why Were They Here? Rancheros Empresarios Political Opportunity Financial Opportunity Frontiersmen Fundamentally Entrepreneurial
3. Creating Mexico; The Constitution of 1824 Based on U.S. Constitution Established a federal system Key Differences Established Religion 19 States, 4 Territories, vast geographical region No democratic tradition
4. The Law of April 6, 1830 Why They New Law? “Americans” ignoring Mexican Law Slavery Religion “Illegals” The Texian Perspective Unconstitutional! Closing doors for Opportunity Loss of Slaves = Lower Net Worth
5. The Road to Revolution Consultation, 1835 Experienced Texans Averaged 7 years in Texas 38 Years Old Skirmish at Gonzales “Come and Take It” Texans take Goliad
6. The Alamo---THE Texas Legend James Clinton Neill Bowie and the Volunteers William Barrett Travis Davy Crockett 2,000 v. 250?
7. San Jacinto “Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad!” 18 Minutes that Changed America Santa Ana Captured “That man may consider himself born to no common destiny who has conquered the Napoleon of the West; and it now remains for him to be generous to the vanquished”
8. What Next? Treaties of Velasco Santa Ana agrees that Texas is free Santa Ana pledges to Return to Mexico and work Ratification What is Texas?
9. What Now? State? Or Nation? State Most “Texians” formerly US citizens Trade with US was dominant economic engine A Sure Thing Nation Many Texians left US for “bad” reasons; Financial, Legal, or Personal problems. Entrepreneurial Spirit, “Why do we need US troubles?”
10. Founding A Republic Texas 1st Government votes for Annexation 3,277-91 United States Jackson did not see a legitimate government; Not even an official battle report from San Jacinto? 3,277 out of more than 20,000? Tejanos? Indians? SLAVERY!!
11. Republic of Texas Two Year Presidential Term; Non-Consecutive Houston v. Lamar No Official Recognition from US or Mexico
12. Republic of Texas Houston--Annexation Peace with Indians, Tejanos and Mexico Thrift Repeated appeals to US Capital City: Houston Lamar--Independence Peace through Conquest War Against Indians, Especially Cherokee Texas Navy; protect trade, harass Mexico, assist Yucatan Revolution Education SPEND to Build a Nation Capital: Austin
13. End of the Republic Mexican Attack 1842 US Politics especially Slave issue Houston’s negotiations with foreign powers Presidential Election 1844 Joint Resolution
14. Is This Legal? Texas/United States Yes! Treaties of Velasco assured independence Yes, Joint Resolution allows President and Congress to bypass normal rules for territorial annexation/statehood Mexico NO! Texas remains part of Mexico. Treaties of Velasco signed under duress No! US Congress can’t pass a Resolution dealing with international territory IF Anything is independent it’s Tejas!
15. Treaty of Annexation and Texas Myths Myth Texas is the only State to join the US by Treaty, and therefore has special status relative to other States. Texas is only State to ever be an independent Republic. Texas can divide itself in as many as five states. Reality Joint Resolution of Congress admitted Texas immediately. There was/is no TREATY Vermont was an Independent nation from 1777-1791. Hawaii was a sovereign nation prior to annexation in 1898. California technically independent for about a month in 1846 True, BUT…this provision recognized the realities of the Republic’s land grab.
16. Annexation and Texas Myths Texas is the only state whose flag can fly at equal height with US flag. Texas DID receive one special benefit from Annexation; retained public lands
17. Mexican War, 1846-1848 President Polk forces border dispute Mexican Raids Kill Americans US Declares War Two year war saw wide protests Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Nearly 1 million acres added to US between Texas Annexation and Mexican Cession Modern Texas boundaries defined in 1850
