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1821-1853 |
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1821-1853 |
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"Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."  |
| LECTURE GUIDE |
| I. Implementation of Mexico's grand settlement plan for Texas A. Empresario system 1. Huge land tracts to American proprietors 2. Colonization by 100-300 families • enticed by practically free land & tax exemptions • Catholic; slavery prohibited; abide by Mexican law 3. Benefits • economic enrichment • buffer between Mexico City & hostile Comanches • upstanding people (assured by system itself) B. Stephen Austin of Missouri = #1 (from father) 1. 297 families (aka "Old Three Hundred") 2. Great success = 25 more contracts 3. Sometimes called "Father of Texas" II. Failure of Mexico's grand settlement plan for Texas A. Implosion 1. Settlers considered themselves Americans 2. 90% southern (Protestant; pro-cotton/slavery) 3. Fredonia effort (1825) clue of what was to come 4. 1830: 20,000 Americans + 2,000 slaves 5. U.S. thrice attempted to purchase Texas 6. Pres. Jackson = expansionist & military-minded B. Mexico attempted to extinguish American influx 1. No more immigration + stiff taxes on imports 2. U.S. flow unaffected; hostile toward Mexico 3. Austin's petition of greater autonomy (1833) • Santa Anna denied; Austin jailed (18 mos.) • resistance mounted; skirmishes occurred • Santa Anna marches north • Texas forces under Sam Houston (Tenn) III. Texas Revolution (Oct 1835 thru Apr 1836) A. Skirmish at Gonzalez (very minor casualties) B. Siege of the Alamo (Feb/Mar 1836) 1. William Travis; Jim Bowie; Davy Crockett 2. 6,000 Mexicans vs. 180+ Alamo insurgents 3. Infamous "line in the dirt" episode 4. Crockett's legendary demise 5. Goliad = 3 wks. later (300 brutal casualties) C. Battle of San Jacinto (Apr 1836) 1. "Remember the Alamo!" 2. Santa Anna surprised by Houston • careful strategy or mere happenstance? • "Yellow Rose of Texas" (aka Emily West/Morgan) 3. Treaty of Velasco (May 1836) |
IV. Lone Star Republic est'd w/ Houston as prez A. Texas annexation destined, but delayed 1. Might mean full-scale war w/ Mexico 2. Would disrupt free & slave state balance • Calhoun as new Sec. of State • Texas divided into several states? 3. Texas impatience = close ties w/ Britain • alternate cotton source & new low-tariff market • might affect slavery (Britain had abolished prior) B. Presidential action 1. None by Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison 2. Initiated by Tyler • sectional issue (Calhoun new Sec. of State) • denied by north & west senators (2/3 vote) 3. Hastened by Polk's election & nat'l sentiment • "reannexation" = implied part of Louisiana • O'Sullivan's "manifest destiny" editorial 4. Accomplished by joint resolution (simple majority) V. Mexican War A. Mexico furious w/ U.S. regarding Texas annexation B. Border dispute! Rio Grande or Nueces River? 1. Gen. Zachary Taylor to area in Jul 1845 2. Dear Mexico: "Here's an offer you can't refuse" • Taylor attacked w/ 11 casualties in Apr 1846 • Pres. Polk to Congress: "War exists" ✓ address pre-written by Polk ✓ matter treated as fait accompli • Calhoun, Clay, Webster, Lincoln opposed war 3. How clear was the result? Nicholson: "Crystal" • Gen. Santa Anna vs. Gen. Winfield Scott • U.S. controlled northern Mexico by Feb 1847 • Mexico City fell in Sep 1847 C. Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo (delayed 'til Feb 1848) 1. Rio Grande boundary between U.S. & Mexico 2. New Mexico & upper California ceded to U.S. 3. U.S. paid Mexico $15 million ("conscience fee") 4. U.S. assumed $3+ million Mexican debt D. Finishing items 1. Gadsden Purchase (1853) • southern strip of Ariz & N Mex for $10 million • completed continental U.S. outline 2. Sam Houston to Texas = Geo. Washington to U.S. • opposed secession in 1861 • reviled, then revered |
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 by Asleep At The Wheel |
