Warm Up

The Road to Revolution

The Fredonian Rebellion Haden Edwards (from Kentucky), empresario, had permission to bring 800 families near Nacogodoches. Edwards found settlers living on the land. He ordered them to show their land title or buy a new one from him. If not they would be thrown off land.

The settlers were MAD and complained to government. Mexican government agreed with settlers and canceled Edwards’ land grant.

Result Edwards tried to lead a revolution. Benjamin Edwards (brother) claimed East Texas as Independent Republic of Fredonia. 1826 rode into Nacogdoches and adopted the Fredonian Declaration of Independence.

Old Stone Fort

Results Most Texans (Tejanos and US settlers) opposed the Fredonian Rebellion. Stephen F. Austin called out militia The rebels fled. Small event but attracted a lot of attention!

Why the name Fredonian? Fredonia was a named used in early America describing America as a place of freedom.

The U.S. meddles US newspapers called it a revolt and blew it out of proportion. US wanted to buy Texas and made several offers. Mexico was offended! Suspected the US encouraged the Fredonian Rebellion. Mexico was worried about US interference and sent troops to East Texas.

Mier y Teran Report Mexico sent General Manuel de Mier y Teran to tour Texas and investigate conditions there. Mier y Teran began his tour in Laredo in 1828. Travled to San Antonio, San Felipe de Austin and Nacogdoches. Met with Stephen F. Austin and discussed the issues important to US settlers. SFA expressed his loyalty to Mexico.

Mier y Teran

Mier y Teran Reports to Mexico Anglo settlers influence in East Texas too strong. Anglo settlers out number Mexican settlers 10-1. Mexican government MUST act or lose Texas.

Mier y Teran Recommends Increase trade with Texas and Mexico so the Texans won’t trade with US More soldiers sent to Texas Encourage more European and Mexican settlers to come to Texas

Law of April 6, 1830 Banned slavery in Mexico (Texas was exempt…for now)

Banned US immigration to Texas and made it illegal to bring more slaves to Texas

Taxed all US imports coming to Texas

Tejanos and Anglo Settlers were FURIOUS! Mexico hoped the Law of April 6 would strengthen Mexican control of Texas Tejanos and Anglo Settlers were FURIOUS! Afraid the new laws would hurt the economy US settlers mad that their families could not come to Texas

SFA’s response SFA did not like the new law BUT tried to work with Mexican officials and encouraged settlers to obey Austin realized that Texas-Mexico relations were BAD This is the turning point!

Activity about Law of April 6, 1830 Write a letter to the governor of Cohuila Y Tejas protesting the new laws. It must include specific references to 3 of the articles from the Law of April 6, 1830.

Warm Up Why do you think the Texicans were getting treated so unfairly that they would not want to stay part of Mexico?

Conflict at Anahuac More troops and more taxes! Col. Bradburn arrested Patrick Jack and William B. Travis. A small skirmish broke out. Texas colonists needed more firepower and sent John Austin to Brazoria to bring back a cannon

While the colonists waited for John Austin and the cannon they adopted a number of statements known as the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.

Turtle Bayou Resolutions Colonists declared their loyalty to Mexico. Supported Santa Anna and his revolt in Mexico City against President Bustamante Bustamante ignored the Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824 and this angered many Santa Anna promised to support the Texan-favored constitution Wanted the Mexican Constitution of 1824

Turtle Bayou Resolutions

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna 1794-1876 Fought with Spain against Mexican independence but switched sides in 1821 1832 led revolt and in 1833 was elected president Promised to restore the Constitution of 1824 but did not!

Santa Anna becomes president in 1833 Texans are pleased!

Convention of 1832 and 1833 Met to discuss changes needed in Texas 58 delegated met in San Felipe Stephen F. Austin was elected President of Convention

Convention of 1832 and 1833 Texas be made a separate Mexican state US immigration be allowed Exempt from import taxes Public schools Better protection from Native Americans Land titles for settlers in East Texas

Never sent so they met again in 1833

Wrote a state constitution Adopted the same resolutions Stephen F. Austin was chosen to take the resolutions to Mexico City.

SFA in Mexico City Stephen F. Austin set out for Mexico City in 1833. Mexico City was in turmoil. Santa Anna was not there and the cholera epidemic was sweeping the city. SFA was hoping for a quick answer but had to wait for MONTHS

Cholera causes watery diarrhea, which leads to dehydration and death

Austin was frustrated and in October wrote a letter to the local government in San Antonio. He advised them to organize a local government for Texas.

Santa Anna finally met with SFA Santa Anna finally met with SFA. He agreed to allow US immigration and to lower taxes on US imports BUT he refused to allow Texas to become a separate state. YES to most resolutions NO to state government WHY???

Austin left Mexico City on December 10, 1833 Austin left Mexico City on December 10, 1833. In January he was arrested in Saltillo.

Mexican officials read his letter and thought Austin challenged the Mexican government. SFA was taken back to Mexico City and imprisoned for over a year without a trial. What US amendment protects us from this? He was released in 1835.

“War is our only recourse. There is not another remedy “War is our only recourse. There is not another remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms.” Stephen F. Austin

The call to war! Things did not improve in Texas. Texans met to discuss their options in August 15, 1835 2 parties: Peace party and war party. SFA agreed with war party- he was convince Santa Anna was a dictator. What is a dictator?

What is a revolution? A revolution (from the Latin revolutio, "a turn around") is a fundamental change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time. Aristotle described two types of political revolution: Complete change from one constitution to another Modification of an existing constitution

OUTPUT You are at the convention with the Texans. Would you join the peace party or the war party? Why? Create a flyer to convince others to see your side. Include a picture representing the war or peace party. Include a title or slogan. Give 2 reasons for someone to join your party.