Name:
Date:
Per:
Chapter 12 Section 1: Sam Houston’s Government
1. In September 1836, who was elected Texas’ president and vice president? What two
things did Texans also approve?
Sam Houston and Mirabeau B. Lamar; also approved the Constitution of 1836 and approved
the proposal that Texas join the U.S.
2. Who did Sam Houston appoint Secretary of State? What happened to this man? What
did Sam Houston declare about him?
Stephen F. Austin; Austin died of pneumonia in December 1836 at 43; Houston said, “the
Father of Texas is no more”
3. How long was Houston designated as the capital of Texas? What awaited early visitors
to Houston?
3 years; muddy streets, crudely built houses, and swarms of mosquitoes
4. What were two reasons that Texas was not immediately annexed by the United States?
The U.S. did not want to damage relations with Mexico; anti-slavery groups would block
annexation because Texas would become a slave state
5. What happened on March 3, 1837? What were 3 European countries that recognized
Texas independence?
U.S. President Jackson granted official recognition of Texas; Great Britain, France, and the
Netherlands
6. What happened in 1836 as more and more Anglo settlers settled in Central Texas?
Clashes with Native American tribes—mainly the Kiowas, Comanches, and Wichitas; Native
American raids decreased when the Texas Rangers began patrolling Central Texas
7. What was stated in the February 1836 Treaty between the Cherokees and the Texans?
Cherokees promised to remain peaceful during Texas’ fight for independence and the Texans
promised to give the Cherokees official title to their land (although the Texans didn’t honor
their side of the treaty)
8. What was Texas’ debt when Houston became president? What did the Texas Congress
do to try to solve the state’s debt problems?
$1.25 million; Congress placed a tariff (a tax) on goods imported into Texas, it also imposed
property taxes, business taxes, and land title fees; debt climbed to around $2 million by the
end of Houston’s first term as president
9. When did Texas finally release Santa Anna? What did Santa Anna do when he returned
to Mexico in March 1837? When Santa Anna returned to power, did Texas-Mexico
relations improve?
November 1836; Santa Anna took back all the promises he made in the Treaty of Velasco, he
also said he was leaving politics forever (another lie); no, relations did not improve with
Mexico