Republic of Texas

:Alternative use: Republic of Texas (group)

History

Before the outbreak of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810, Texas was a part of the Spanish colony of New Spain. Texas was then controlled by Mexico (as a part of the state of Coahuila y Tejas). The Rio Grande and South Texas areas had a long and turbulent history of independence movements by the local Mexican population, on account of unitary and perceived dictatorial and unconstitutional practices by the central Mexican government. Northern and Eastern Texas, meanwhile, remained largely in the hands of Native American tribes, some of whom were hostile to Mexican rule. In the years following the Louisiana Purchase and the acquisition of New Orleans by the U.S., American settlers had begun to move westward into Mexican territory. Some of settlers were active filibusters, who sought the longterm annexation of the area to the U.S. The Mexican government had an uneasy relationship with these early settlers. In the 1830s, seeking additional settlers as a means of stabilizing the area, Mexico reached an agreement with Stephen F. Austin that allowed several hundred American families to move into the region. This move would backfire, however, as word of mouth about rich lands in Texas would spread across the United States. Thousands of additional settlers flooded into Texas, many of whom were not interested in being ruled by Mexico City. Mexican efforts to enforce their national abolition of Slavery in the territory, as well as tightening political and economic control over the territory, would only rouse emotions in the settlers, leading to the Texas Revolution.

Related Topics:
Mexican War of Independence - 1810 - Spanish - New Spain - Coahuila y Tejas - Native American - Louisiana Purchase - New Orleans - Filibusters - 1830s - Stephen F. Austin - Mexico City - Slavery - Texas Revolution

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The first declaration of independence for modern Texas, by both Anglo-Texian settlers and local Tejanos, was signed in Goliad on December 20, 1835. The Texas Declaration of Independence was enacted at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, effectively creating the Republic of Texas.

Related Topics:
Goliad - December 20 - 1835 - Texas Declaration of Independence - Washington-on-the-Brazos - March 2 - 1836

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Four days later, the two-week long Battle of the Alamo ended as Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces defeated the nearly 200 Texians defending the small mission (which would eventually become the center of the city of San Antonio). Remember the Alamo! became the battle cry of the Texas Revolution. The Battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836, near the present-day city of Houston. General Santa Anna's entire force of 1,600 men was killed or captured by Texas General Sam Houston's army of 800 Texians; only nine Texians died. This decisive battle resulted in Texas' independence from Mexico.

Related Topics:
Battle of the Alamo - Antonio López de Santa Anna - San Antonio - Alamo - Battle of San Jacinto - April 21 - 1836 - Houston - Sam Houston - Independence

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Sam Houston, a native of Virginia, was President of the Republic of Texas for two separate terms, 1836–1838 and 1841–1844. He also was Governor of the state of Texas from 1859 to 1861.

Related Topics:
Sam Houston - Virginia - President of the Republic of Texas - Governor of the state of Texas

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The first Congress of the Republic of Texas convened in October 1836 at Columbia (now West Columbia). Stephen F. Austin, known as the Father of Texas, died December 27, 1836, after serving two months as Secretary of State for the new Republic.

Related Topics:
Congress of the Republic of Texas - Columbia - West Columbia - Stephen F. Austin - December 27 - 1836 - Secretary of State

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In 1836, five sites served as temporary capitals of Texas starting with Velasco (Now Freeport) and also including Washington-on-the-Brazos, Harrisburg, Galveston, and Columbia (Now West Columbia) before Sam Houston moved the capital to Houston in 1837. In 1839, the capital was moved to the new town of Austin.

Related Topics:
Velasco - Freeport - Washington-on-the-Brazos - Harrisburg - Galveston - Columbia - West Columbia - Houston - 1837 - 1839 - Austin

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Internal politics of the Republic were based on the conflict between two factions. The nationalist faction, led by Mirabeau B. Lamar advocated the continued independence of Texas, the expulsion of the Native Americans, and the expansion of Texas to the Pacific Ocean. Their opponents, led by Sam Houston, advocated the annexation of Texas to the United States and peaceful coexistence with Native Americans.

Related Topics:
Mirabeau B. Lamar - Native American - Pacific Ocean

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The first flag of the republic was the "Burnet Flag" (which was inspired by the Bonnie Blue Flag), followed shortly thereafter by official adoption of the Lone Star Flag.

Related Topics:
Bonnie Blue Flag - Lone Star Flag

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The Republic received diplomatic recognition from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the Republic of Yucatán.

Related Topics:
United States - France - United Kingdom - Netherlands - Republic of Yucatán

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