Beginning of the Republic of Texas

The Republic of Texas

by Jacob Cunningham

​Recalling Enlightenment Ideas

• ​Thomas Hobbes felt that before governments mankind lived "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish" lives. It was every man for himself.

• ​John Locke felt that humans were naturally inclined to work together for a common good.

​The Republic of Texas

How do societies act to ensure the well-being of their people?

​

​Take 5 minutes to write a two paragraph response to this question.

​

​THERE ARE NO RIGHT OR WRONG ANSWERS!

​The First President of Texas

​Sam Houston was elected as the first president of the Republic of Texas in 1836.

​

​He had 3 main policy goals he wanted to achieve. One of those was to convince the United States to annex Texas, and let it become the 28th state. Use google to find his other two policy goals.

Open Ended

What were Sam Houston 2 other policy goals?

​Texas' Government

​The Texas constitution set up a republic style government that included a bicameral legislature, judicial and executive branch.

​Texas' Government

Under the constitution of the Republic of Texas, all free WHITE Men were assured equality, and the same civil liberties protected still today by the US and Texas State constitutions. ​

Multiple Choice

Which answer choice is not a civil liberty guaranteed to people under the Texas constitution?

• Freedom of Speech

• Right to Privacy

• Freedom of Religion

• Freedom on assembly

​Slavery in Texas

Once the revolution was over; the new Republic of Texas made slavery legal, although Sam Houston outlawed the importation of slaves from Mexico.

​Slavery in Texas

​The issue of slavery caused problems when it came to Houston's goal of Texas becoming part of the US. Abolitionist's in the US did not want to annex Texas because of the slavery issue.

​Indigenous Relations

​Texas' relationships with indigenous tribes was another problem early leaders of the new republic were forced to deal with. Sam Houston singed the Treaty of Bird's Fort that was ratified by the legislature.

​Indigenous Relations

​Houston knew the new republic could not monetarily afford to be at war with both Mexico and the various Indigenous tribes. However, his successor Mirabeau B. Lamar was convinced that the Indigenous tribes were working with Mexico to foster rebellion in the new republic.

Multiple Choice

TRUE OR FALSE: Sam Houston wanted slavery to be abolished in the Republic of Texas

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Who was convinced that Mexico was conspiring with Indigenous tribes to foster rebellion in Texas?

• Bun B.

• Sam Houston

• William Travis

• Mirabeau B. Lamar

​Financial Problems

​The Republic of Texas had financial problems from the start. The two main financial issues faced by the new nation were: War debt, and currency issues.

​Financial Problems

​The republic of Texas had outstanding loans totaling 1.25 million at the end of the revolution, and those loans accrued interest that left the new republic in debt of about $9,949,007 by the time Texas was annexed by the US.

​Financial Problems

​On top of the war debt; the biggest financial issues Texas faced was currency. Because Texans had previously used Mexican currency, the new republic literally had no money until they created their own. This caused problems for Houston and Lamar who were both seeking recognition as a legitimate nation from other countries.

Multiple Choice

What was the total debt (before interest) that the Republic of Texas after the revolution?

• $1.25 million

• $9,949,007

• $1.25 Trillion

• $9.95 Billion

​Annexation

​From the beginning of the Republic; leaders such as Sam Houston thought joining the United States offered the best solution to the problems faced by the fledgling republic.

​Annexation

​Houston believed that joining the US would help the new republic financially, as well as offer greater protection against an agitated Mexican government and the various indigenous tribes in the region.

​Annexation

​Still, another reason Houston wanted to join the United States had to do with his belief that the British government was working to emancipate slaves in Texas, which would undermine the institution in both the Republic of Texas and the US.

​Annexation

​Mirabeau B. Lamar opposed the idea of annexation to the US. Instead believing that the new Republic should attempt to expand it's territory. He wanted to conquer New Mexico (which was still about of Mexico), or convince them to join the new Republic of Texas.

​Annexation

​Lamar changed his mind on annexation, after he felt that the new Republic was in danger of falling under the control of Great Britain, which again; would put the institution of slavery in danger.

Multiple Choice

Both Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar supported Texas' annexation into the US to protect what vile institution?

• Agriculture

• Economic Policy

• Slavery

• George Washington's Birthday

Open Ended

Write a paragraph on whether you would support Texas' joining the United States or not.