Steps Towards Revolution Ch. 6, Sections 4 & 5

Texans Fight for Reform!!!! Ch. 6, Section 4:

Political Fighting in Mexico -Two political parties fought for power *Federalists: Separate states form a Nat’l. government. Ind. States hold most of the power (U.S. as a model) *Centralists: Favored strong central gov’t. States would have little power Most Texans supported - Federalists! -lived under federalism in U.S. -distrusted strong central gov’t. -gov’t in Mexico City too far away to pay attention to their needs!

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna -Leader of the Federalists -Texas settlers pledged loyalty to HIM in Turtle Bayou Res. 1832: Santa Anna tried to overthrow Centralist gov’t of A. Bustamante *Led to civil war (Mex.)! -Texas settlers gained control

The Convention of Settlers believed a Federalist gov’t. would be responsive to their needs -Held on Oct. 1, Stephen F. Austin chosen as leader *Wanted: 1.U.S. immigration to resume 2. TX become a separate Mexican state *Meeting failed! Not legal meeting under Mex. Law -Requests were NOT sent to the government!

The Convention of Santa Anna won civil war – became President -Feds. now held power -Victory led to another meeting -Began April 1, Delegates asked for: 1.Better mail service 2.Improved defense against Native raids 3.Reform of the courts 4.Right to use English in business/law

-William H. Wharton chosen as leader -Demanded: an end on the U.S. immigration ban, more money for schools, better defense against Natives, U.S. become independent state. -Drafted a state constitution for Texas! -Committee led by…..Sam Houston! -Needed a messenger….

The Messenger! -Stephen F. Austin was chosen to present their resolutions to Santa Anna -He left in April 1833

From Reform to Independence! Ch. 6, section 5

Austin in Mexico City -Austin arrived in Mex. City in July Santa Anna not assumed position of Pres. b/c of poor health -VP Gomez Farias acted as Pres. and Austin had to present the requests of the Con. Of 1833 to him. Austin waited….and waited…and waited….. -By Oct. he had no more patience! -Warned Farias that failure to act could lead Texans to take action!!!

-Farias took this as a threat! Meeting ended in anger -Austin wrote a letter to the delegates in San Antonio telling them to begin to set up a state gov’t. for TX WITHOUT the approval of the national gov’t. -In Nov., Santa Anna finally met with Austin and agreed end the ban on immigration to TX but refused separate statehood for TX -Dec. 1833, Austin left Mexico City having made progress and headed back to TX

Austin Imprisoned -Mexican authorities in Saltillo had read Austin’s letter to the delegates in Texas… they weren’t too happy… -Austin was arrested in January 1834 and sent BACK to Mexico City Texans were appalled… they asked for Austin’s release…

Federalist acts: During Austin’s imprisonment….. *1834 was better because reforms Santa Anna promised began – -English became official language -Immigrants from U.S. were allowed in -Improved courts -Increased number of Texas representatives in the state legislature of Coahuila -Religious tolerance was granted

Santa Anna Changes Sides! -Federalists had powerful enemies! -Reduced role of Catholic Church &Military -To increase his power, Santa Anna Sided w/the Church & military!! *He seized gov’t. from Farias *Abolished Const. of 1824 *Reversed Fed. Policies *Dissolved Mex. State legislatures *Placed states under rule of army!

Reaction in Texas! -1835, trouble began again in Anahuac! -General Martin de Cos (Santa Anna’s brother-in- law) was sent to TX to break up state government -Cos made plans to bring in more troops -Some settlers angry about this – June 1835, small group led by William Travis captured Anahuac (garrison) -Many settlers disagreed with Travis’ actions and sent messages to Cos promising to remain loyal

-Cos called for the arrest of the rebels -Rebels would face a military trial and possible execution! -Settlers would not turn in men to face a military court trial -Believed in trial by jury!! -Cos never captured these men!

Relations with Mexico Worsen! -Summer 1835 – tensions worsened -Settlers began to organize -Created committees of safety and correspondence: local groups told people what was happening The Consultation -Nov. 3, 1835 – Reps. from many TX towns would decide the state’s future

The Return of Stephen F. Austin -After being imprisoned for 1 ½ years, Austin was released… -He returned to TX that Sept.–over 2 years since leaving!!! *Austin lost all hope for peace now that Santa Anna became a centralist dictator!

*Austin now believed that TEXAS MUST SEPARATE FROM MEXICO! “War is our only resource. There is no other remedy. We must defend our rights, ourselves, and our country by force of arms.” -Stephen F. Austin