Steps Towards Revolution! 1827-1836

Chapter 6

Section 1: Cultural Differences in Colonial TX

*Distrust between Mexico & the U.S.-U.S. was a power on the rise: pop. growing,

people looked to west for more land (LA Purchase 1803, land claims led to War of 1812 w/Britain, Florida from Spain 1819)

-Mexico believed U.S. now wanted control of TX-Tried to settle TX on their own terms to keep U.S.

from taking it over*U.S. Actions-Did not think Mex. needed/wanted TXWHY??? Spanish & Mexicans didn’t settle TX

-U.S. leaders now trying to buy TX from Mex. --U.S. offered Mx. $1mil. – wow! -Mexicans believed U.S. would force Mex. to give

up TX. -Mx did not trust the U.S.!*Different Views:American experience: Key beliefs:1. Civilians, not military leaders should rule the

country (feared military would control the people)

2. Separation of Church & State – government should not favor any religion & people should be free to choose their own religion

3. Self-govt. – people taking an active role in laws/decisions

Mexican Experience: Key beliefs: 1.Many centers of power: Army, Catholic Church,

leaders of the Mexican Revolution-Catholic Church was the state church: Leaders

played important role in nation’s gov’t. and society

The Issue of Slavery*Different views of slavery!-Mex. did not allow itHOWEVER…. Austin convinced Mex. Leaders to

allow it for his settlers b/c he believed Americans wouldn’t move to TX w/out it.

-Mex. tried to ban it several times, but couldn’t enforce the ban!

*Southern U.S. deeply entrenched in slavery. -Few Americans willing to accept Mexican ways

in TX *All of these differences will cause great trouble

in TX!!!!

Settlers Practice “Independence”

TX settlers had to: swear loyalty to Mex., become Mex. Citizens & Catholics…..said they would, but didn’t.

-Brought American culture/practices-Spoke English, lived the same as in U.S., set up their own schools, traded w/the U.S.

-To many colonists: little evidence of living in Mexico

*Life in TX looked like life in the U.S.-Arrangement worked……but only for awhile!

Section 2: Mexico Imposes Its Authority

-1827 Mex. sent General Mier y Teran to explore & write a report about the situation in TX

-Noted the further you travel north, TX became less & less “Mexican.” For each Mexican there were 10 “foreigners.”

-Mex. gov’t. was far away & didn’t affect the lives of the settlers

-Said opinion of Mex. held by foreigners was low-Warned Mex. gov’t. of a revolution!

-Mier y Teran’s recommendations:1.Send more Mexican troops into TX2.Govt. send more Mex. & European settlers (to

weaken influence of settlers from U.S.)3.Mex. increase its trade w/ TX (would bring TX

& rest of Mex. closer together)

Mexico Angers the Settlers-Slavery ends temporarily:1829 – Mex. President Vicente Guerrero ended slavery in

Mex.-Threats to slavery meant fewer settlers from the U.S. -Was not strongly enforced

The Law of April 6, 1830: Mex. tried to end immigration altogether

-Mex. Congress passed law to stop people from the U.S. coming into TX

-Canceled nearly all Empresario contracts-Outlawed bringing slaves into TX*GOAL: Make TX more “Mexican.”-Anglo settlers in TX outraged!!!

Other Changes in Mexico & Texas-Mex. tried to strengthen control over TX…

situation got worse!Collecting Taxes: Mex. placed tariffs (taxes) on

goods from the U.S. making U.S. goods cost more than Mex. goods.

Troops in TX: Mex. sent more soldiers to the Alamo, Nacogdoches, & Goliad

Also set up new garrisons (military posts) in 5 other points. Soldiers collected taxes & enforced immigration laws

The Military Takes Control: Across Mex., military rulers replaced civilian leaders – settlers believed it was their right to stand up to the Mex. leaders.

Section 3: The Texas Settlers Resist

*Unrest Among the Texas Settlers-Actions made Texans angry b/c they didn’t like

the law of April 6, 1830

-Trouble at Anahuac: Anahuac was a port where the Mexicans would collect taxes on imported goods

-The taxes were meant to raise money for Mexico and to encourage INTERNAL trade within Mexico (and not always with the US)

-Juan (John) Bradburn was the Mexican commander at Anahuac

-Bradburn took slaves and supplies from settlers without paying

-May 1832, after Bradburn arrested William Travis and Patrick Jack for interfering with his efforts to enforce the laws, threw them in jail without charging them of a crime.

-Settlers had enough!Texas settlers take up arms-Settlers thought Bradburn abused his

power….legal under Mexican law-Opposition grew - the story sparked a rebellion!-Bradburn refused the release of Travis & Jack-Rebels wanted to march on Bradburn’s garrison

but wanted more firepower-Sent John Austin (NOT related to SFA) to Brazoria

to find cannons for the attack

Turtle Bayou Resolutions-While rebels waited for Austin & cannons wrote

the Turtle Bayou Resolutions (June 1832) – stated causes of revolt!

-Said Bradburn ignored the Constitution of 1824-Pledged loyalty to the constitution-Pledged support for General Santa Anna b/c he supported the constitution*First organized protest against Mexico…..not the last!

Avoiding the crisis:-Mexican Colonel Piedras went to

Anahuac & found settlers preparing for battle!

-He didn’t want a fight, but chose to listen-To avoid trouble: Replaced Bradburn as

commander at Anahuac & released Travis and Jack from prison

*Satisfied, the Texas army disbandedFor now…..no fighting occurred

Bloodshed at Velasco-John Austin and the rebels continued the mission to get

the cannons back to Anahuac to fire on Bradburn’s outpost

-One obstacle: Mex. fort on the Brazos R. at Velasco-Mex. Commander ordered rebel ship to stop – settlers refused-Rebels fired on the fort & attacked from the ground-Casualties on both sides-Mex. soldiers ran out of ammunition & surrendered

*Hard feelings had now led to bloodshed! Settlers rose up against their own leaders BUT did not give up on Mexico…wanted REFORM (improvements in the system)