Causes of the War for Independence

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Causes of the War for Independence
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Growing Tensions

• By the 1820s, Anglo American settlers in Texas
  were becoming very independent, setting up their
  own schools and newspapers.

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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.

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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.

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The Republic of Fredonia

• Benjamin Edwards, Hadens 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.

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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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Law of April 6, 1830

• Mexico issued new laws.
• 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.

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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.
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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.

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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.

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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.

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Convention of 1832 and 1833

• 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.

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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.

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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)

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Austins 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 Annas return.

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Austins 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.

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Austins Trip to Mexico

• In November 1833 Santa Anna returned, and agreed
  to many of Austins request. However, he did not
  grant Texas separate statehood. Austin was
  pleased and left the capital for Texas.

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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.

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Reforms

• In 1834, reforms were put into place.
• 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

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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.

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Trouble Again

• General Cos wanted the Texans to hand over Travis
  and others. The people called a convention known
  as the Consultation.

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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