Directions: Read the following passage highlighting the Political, Economic,
Geographic, and Social challenges faced by the Republic.
Political
Economic
Geographic
Social
From Commander to President
Texans had taken steps to make sure that their new
nation would have a successful beginning. They adopted a
constitution and elected Sam Houston as their first permanent
president. However, the new Republic faced many problems.
The Mexican government refused to accept the Treaties
of Velasco and recognize Texas’ independence. The
commander of the Texas army, Felix Huston, wanted to renew
the war with Mexico. To prevent Huston from starting another
war, President Houston sent all but 600 soldiers home on leave.
When Texans elected
Sam Houston president, a
majority also voted to seek annexation to the United States as
soon as possible. Most Texans thought the United States would
be eager to accept Texas as a new state. However, Texas was not
admitted to the Union, mainly due to the controversy over slavery.
The new president faced financial problems also. Texas
had a debt of over $1 million. Houston held government expenses
to a minimum. In 1837 the Texas Congress authorized Houston to
issue about $600,000 in promissory notes. When financial
prospects did not improve, some feared that the promise of future
payment might not be kept and began refusing to accept the
promissory notes.
Texans faced growing conflicts with Native Texans. The
Native Texans resented the large number of Anglo American
settlers who were moving onto their lands. Also, the Texas
Congress refused to ratify a treaty that Houston had negotiated
with the Cherokees during the Texas Revolution. Many settlers wanted to rid the Republic of all
Native Texans.
The Native Texans fought back by
conducting raids against the settlers. Houston
enlisted the help of the Texas Rangers, a group of
soldiers organized during the Revolution, to patrol
the frontier.
On Our Own….Now What? –
6
Grade 7- 3rd Six Weeks
Directions: Read the following passage highlighting the Political, Economic,
Geographic, and Social challenges faced by the Republic.
Political
Economic
Geographic
Social
New Ideas for Texas
Mirabeau B. Lamar was elected as the second president of
Texas. Lamar and Houston had different ideas for the Republic of
Texas. Unlike Houston, Lamar wanted to clear Texas of all Native
Americans and provide more land for Anglo-Americans. In 1839
Lamar ordered the Cherokees out of Texas. When the Cherokees
refused, Lamar remarked, “If peace can be obtained only by the
sword, let the sword do its work.” He authorized General Kelsey Douglass to forcefully move the
Cherokees into present-day Oklahoma.
Lamar’s vision of a larger, more independent Texas created conflict with New Mexico. In
1841, Lamar sent General Hugh McLeod to Santa Fe to convince New Mexicans that they were
are part of Texas. The Santa Fe expedition wasted money that
Texas did not have, increased tensions with Mexico, and
resulted in the loss of lives.
The financial situation in Texas worsened during
Lamar’s presidency. Lamar expanded the use of bills known as
“redbacks.” The redbacks went down in value until they were
almost worthless.
Lamar is best known for his contributions to public
education. Lamar believed that a strong system of education could make Texas a great nation.
The Texas Congress responded by setting aside land in each county for public schools and over
220,000 acres for two universities. He became known as the “Father of Education in Texas” for his
vision of education.
In 1841 Texans once again elected Sam Houston as president. Once in office, Houston put
his plans back into action. First, he worked to reduce government spending. He cut back on
government expenses, ended Lamar’s expansion policy, and reduced the army.
Houston also turned his attention to annexation. Houston’s
representatives in Washington thought that annexation was a good
possibility. In April 1844, Texans wanted statehood right away, but the
U.S. Senate rejected the treaty.
In 1844 Texans elected Dr. Anson Jones as president. In the
United States, annexation of Texas became a key factor during the
presidential election. James K. Polk of Tennessee won the election. He
was supported by the Democratic Party, which called for the annexation
of Texas. The election of Polk indicated that the majority of the U.S. was
in favor of Texas annexation. On February 19, 1846, President Jones
announced the annexation of Texas.
On Our Own….Now What? –
7
Grade 7- 3rd Six Weeks
Directions: Use the
information from the reading
passages and other research
to complete the Venn Diagram.
Explain the major similarities
and differences between the
Texas Presidents.
On Our Own….Now What? –
9
Grade 7- 3rd Six Weeks