Difficulties with Mexico

Unit 3 Notes (Chapter 9)  Main Idea: While the Anglo American colonists were concerned about Mexican rule, the Mexican government was concerned about the growing Anglo American influence in Texas.

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How did Texas change under Mexican Federalists in the 1820s?

Opening Texas resulted in: to settlement

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expanded trade population growth farm production increase

Federalists – power should be shared between the states and the national government 

Colonists were left to develop their own way of life by:

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Creating schools and newspapers Bringing slaves despite Mexican government’s opposition

Mexico City

How did conflict in East Texas begin?

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When empresario Haden Edwards arrived in 1825, he discovered many people already lived within his granted land with no land titles .

He demanded they pay for the land or leave immediately.

Mexican authorities said that Edwards could not charge them for the land or force them to leave.

Haden and Sarah Edwards

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What was the Fredonian Rebellion?

Edwards’ brother Benjamin , led a small group of settlers in taking the Old Stone Fort in Nacogdoches Declared their colony “Republic of Fredonia” independent of Mexican rule SFA refused to help them, and instead offered to help Mexico.

Mexican troops from San Antonio crushed the rebellion.

Rebels were either captured or escaped to the U.S.

What was the Fredonian Rebellion?

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Mexican response: Mexican officials feared more revolts and sent 200 troops to Nacogdoches.

They were afraid the U.S. was trying to start a rebellion .

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U.S. response: U.S. ambassador to Mexico recommended that Mexico sell Texas to the U.S.

What was the Mier y Teran Report?

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Mexico sent General Manuel Mier y Teran to investigate the colonies in Texas:

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Concluded that Anglo American influence was too strong —especially in East TX.

Anglos outnumbered Mexicans 5 to 1.

Warned the Mexican government to act at once or lose Texas forever.

Recommended strong actions to protect Texas

How did Texas change when Mexican Centralists returned to power in 1829?

Centralists – power should be concentrated in the central government of Mexico City   

A decree abolished slavery in 1829 — scared colonists

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Texans asked to be exempt from law Brought states under strict national control Colonists considered new laws and regulations unnecessary and unfair

Mexico City

What was the Law of April 6, 1830?

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Mexican Centralist government created law based on Mier y Teran’s suggestions:

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Stopped immigration U.S.

from Suspended incomplete empresario contracts Encouraged families from Europe and settle Texas Mexico to come Created new forts in Texas Discouraged trade with foreign nations through customs duties on goods from foreign countries

What was the Law of April 6, 1830?

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This law had a negative effect!

The prosperity of many citizens depended on continued growth and trade with the U.S. Texas colonists:

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Could not have their relatives join them in Texas.

Had to pay taxes on American goods Resented these restrictions