3.1 Road to Revolution

Page 1: Introduction

• Topic: Road to Revolution

• Essential Question: When is the time right for someone to make a stand?

Page 2: The Period of the Empresarios

• Early 1820s: Spain and later Mexico opened Texas for settlement

• Impact of settlement:

  • Attracted thousands of Anglo Americans due to cheap land

  • Formation of new towns and growth in trade

Page 3: Tensions Rise in Texas

• Protests from Anglo Americans due to governmental changes

• Mexican Federalists held power in the 1820s, allowing settlers relative freedom

• In 1829, Centralists took control, limiting autonomy with new regulations

• Key figures: Vincente Guerrero and Anastasio Bustamante

• Reference to the Constitution of 1824

Page 4: Republic of Fredonia

• Declaration of Independence:

  • Proclaimed by Benjamin Edwards supporters on December 21, 1826

• Conflict:

  • Dispute over lands in Nacogdoches

  • Haden Edwards invested $50,000 into land, leading to unrest

  • Joined by Richard Fields, a Cherokee chief

Page 5: Short-lived Revolution

• Rebel flag bore "Independence, Liberty, Justice"

• Took refuge in the Old Stone Fort

• Mexican suspicions of American schemes to acquire Texas

• Outcome:

  • Fredonian Rebellion lacked significant local support

  • Collapsed in January 1827 with approaching Mexican troops

  • Increased concern among Mexican authorities

Page 6: Mexican Inspection of Texas

• General Manuel de Mier y Terán led an inspection party

• Reported on American influence in Texas

  • Noted a substantial population of Americans in the region

Page 7: Recommendations from Terán

• Suggested actions to reduce American influence:

  1. Increase trade between Mexico and Texas

  2. Deploy more soldiers to Texas

  3. Encourage Mexican and European settlements

Page 8: Growing Distrust

• Population dynamics: Texans outnumbering Mexicans 10 to 1

• Cultural disparities: Foreign immigrants had schools; locals did not

• Distrust fueled by fears of slave ownership restrictions

Page 9: Decrees and Enforcement

• Mexico issued a decree halting slave importation

• Texans largely ignored these decrees, reflecting tension levels

• Concern among slaveholders over potential abolition of slavery

Page 10: Law of April 6, 1830

• Mexican government increased surveillance on Anglo settlers

• Imposed duties on foreign goods, discouraging trade

• Major changes under the Law of April 6:

  1. Stopped immigration from the U.S.

  2. Abolished slavery

Page 11: European Immigration

• Law encouraged immigration of European families with land grants

• Regions of origin included Germany, France, Ireland, Poland, and Czechoslovakia

• Immigrants established distinct communities contributing to Texas heritage

Page 12: Alarm Among Anglo Settlers

• Anglo settlers alarmed by the Law of April 6, 1830

• Reflected changing relationships between settlers and the Mexican government

Page 14: Tensions with Juan Davis Bradburn

• Bradburn arrested lawyers Travis and Jack for spreading rumors

• Stephen F. Austin attempted to negotiate, recognizing damaged relations

• By May 1832, tensions escalated

Page 15: Texans Capture Soldiers

• Texans captured Bradburn's soldiers for Travis and Jack's exchange

• Two groups led by Frank W. Johnson and John Austin marched to Anahuac

• Encountered a skirmish with Mexican troops

Page 16: Turtle Bayou Incident

• News of Santa Anna's victory in Mexico affected Texan actions

• Conflict led to formation of camps in Turtle Bayou

• Context: Santa Anna was leading a Federalist revolt

Page 18: Turtle Bayou Resolutions

• On June 13, 1832, resolutions declaring loyalty to Constitution and Santa Anna

• Austin appointed to deliver resolutions to the Mexican government

  • Acknowledged Austin's significant influence

Page 19: Austin's Trip to Mexico City

• By November 1833, Austin hoped for positive changes

• Santa Anna agreed to some reforms after returning to the city

Page 20: Austin's Arrest

• Upon suggestion of a state government, Austin was arrested by Mexican officials

• His letter to San Antonio exacerbated tensions leading to his imprisonment

Page 21: Release and Return

• Released on Christmas Day 1834 but barred from immediate return to Texas

• Austin's views shifted due to his treatment; he returned in July 1835

• His prolonged absence impacted his perspective on relations with Mexico