The Republic of Texas

The Republic of TexasThe Beginning: Sam Houstons First Term as President of the New RepublicThe New Flabys First GovernmentIn September 1836, 5 months after the revolution, Texans held an election.

Results of the Election of 1836President:Sam HoustonConstitution:Approved the Constitution of 1836 (written at the Convention of 1836)Vice-President:Mirabeau LamarCongress:Elected Senators and RepresentativesAnnexation:Voted to seek U.S. annexation of TexasHouston chose Stephen F. Austin as the Secretary of StateSadly, Austin died only a few weeks later. He was 43 years old.The new leaders selected Houston as their capital for three years.The decision on a permanent capital was delayed.

Lets talk about these new leadersWe know they elected a president

Sam HoustonPresidentAnd a vice president

Mirabeau LamarVice PresidentYou also need to know that President Houston had a CABINET

NO!!! Not a file cabinetA cabinet, when you are referring to government, is a group of ADVISERS to a political head of government (like a president)

The president, since he is the boss now and everything, gets to CHOOSE which advisers he wants to be in his cabinet. These advisors are NOT ELECTED they are APPOINTED.What kind of advisors did he have? Some of the positions in Houstons cabinet were:

The Secretary of State

The Secretary of the Treasury

The Secretary of War

What does the Secretary of the Treasury do?Even before the Revolution was over, the new Republic of Texas was in debt... they had money problems. The office of the Secretary of the Treasury in the presidents cabinet was created to manage the new nations MONEY. He is the main ECONOMIC advisor to the president and plays a really important role in dealing with any economic problems or issues the government may face. The Secretary is responsible for making and recommending tax policies, and other necessary financial or economic solutions to problems faced by the new nation.What does the Secretary of State do?The Secretary of State advises the president on foreign affairs, and spends a lot of time traveling around the world to meet with world leaders. What does the Secretary of War do?The Secretary of War is responsible for all military matters that face the new nation, including the Texas Army and the Texas Navy. They also work with the Secretary of the Treasury to help the new nation fund any military activities that need to be carried out.

Its time to step intoFLEMINGWORLD!!!You guys are going to pretend that you are President Houston and his new cabinet. You will be presented with some problems that the new republic faced after they became independent. As our new leaders, it is your responsibility to work together to solve these problems.And yes ALL your solutions HAVE to be realistic no aliens, magic, or freaky stuff only Ms. Fleming has the power to create that stuff in

Flemingworld!!!The Revolution was over, but there were still a bunch of guys in Texas who wanted to fight Mexico! Dang drop it alreadyProblem #1Texas Military

How did Houston solve it in the REAL WORLD?(p. 271) Houston Faces Trouble With the ArmyHe realized another war with Mexico could mean an end to the new republicHe had his Secretary of War send the entire army home, EXCEPT for 600 soldiers (No more army? No more problem!)

In order for Texas to survive as a new nation, other nations and to agree that we were independent from Mexico. Otherwise, they wouldnt do business with us this is called RECOGNITIONProblem #2RecognitionHow did Houston solve it in the REAL WORLD?(p. 272-273) Recognition as a NationHe had his Secretary of State send diplomats to the US to work for recognitionThe US finally recognized the Republic of Texas on March 3, 1837Other countries that recognized us were Great Britain, Mexico NEVER did

France

France, and the NetherlandsFriendFriendFriendNo FriendThe revolution is over, but the Indians have decided that now would be a great time to step up the raids they are killing and kidnapping more settlers than ever!Problem #3Indians/Native AmericansHow did Houston solve it in the REAL WORLD?(p. 273-274) Native American and Texan ConflictsHouston had his Secretary of War call on the Texas Rangers to help with the Comanche Indian attacksHouston also tried to make peace with the Cherokees by giving them titles to their land in East Texas the Texas Senate, however, refused to accept this

It sure was nice of the US and other countries to give us money to fight Mexico however, now we have to pay back the $1.25 million that they (and others) loaned us PLUS we need money to run the new nationProblem #4DebtHow did Houston solve this in the REAL WORLD?(p. 274) Texas Debt SoarsHouston had his Secretary of the Treasury increase REVENUE by placing a TARIFF on imported goodsCongress imposed property taxes, business taxes and title feesWe still had more EXPENDITURES than revenue By the end of Houstons first term, we were $2 million in debt

Native Americans They are attacking Texans Sam has to deal with them somehowDebt - $1.25 million when he STARTS ($2 million by the end of his first term) PLUS we need money to run the new governmentThe Texas Capital Temporarily in Houston gotta build it what about a permanent one?Relations with Mexico - They just cant accept that we are gone! That could mean trouble!

Problems Houston faced during his first term:Texas Military A lot of Texan soldiers want to start another war with Mexico! Ack!Recognition - How to get the U.S. to recognize that we are independent so they will work with usBut WHY dont you want us???? We are soooo coool!

Republic of Texas

MexicoThe U.S. does NOT want a war with Mexico! They still dont accept that you won the Revolution if we annexed you, they would fight because the still think you legally belong to them! No Way!

No War!!Slave States = 13Free States = 13SlaveryRight now (in 1837) there are 26 states in the U.S. 13 are free states (no slavery) and 13 are slave states. We need to maintain that balance in the U.S. Congress Texas would tip that balance over onto which side???Slave states! No Thanks!

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