Political Unrest in Texas: Fredonian Rebellion, Mier y Teran's Tour, and the Law of April 6, 1830

1. Section 1: Political Unrest in Texas Main Ideas • The Fredonian Rebellion was an attempt to create an independent republic in East Texas. • General Mier y Terán toured Texas and concluded that American influence in the area was too strong. • The Law of April 6, 1830, banned American immigration to Texas.

2. Main Idea 1: The Fredonian Rebellion was an attempt to create an independent republic in East Texas. Conflict Over Land Titles and Mexico’s Response • Mexican government cancels Edwards’s land contracts • General Mier y Terán is sent on a tour of Texas • Conflict arise over land titles in Edwards’s colony • Fredonian Rebellion put down by Mexican government • Mexican officials fear they are losing control of Texas • S.F. Austin and others Texans oppose the Fredonian Rebellion • Edwards’s receives an empresario contract in East Texas • Benjamin Edwards declares the Republic of Fredonia and captures Nacogdoches

3. Main Idea 2: General Mier y Terán toured Texas and concluded that American influence in the area was too strong. General Mier y Terán’s Conclusions on Texas • Trade should increase between Texas and Mexico • More Mexican soldiers should be sent to Texas • Encourage more Mexicans and Europeans to settle in Texas

4. Main Idea 3: The Law of April 6, 1830, banned American immigration to Texas. Why Mexico Passed the Law of April 6, 1830 and Texans’ Reaction • Mexican government hoped to issue new contracts to bring more Mexicans and Catholic families rather than U.S. immigrants. • Government passed new custom duties on U.S. imports to raise more money • Mexican government hoped the new law would strengthen Mexico’s control over Texas • Law angered many Tejano and U.S. settlers who feared the new law would hurt the growing Texas economy • Many were upset that friends and relatives in the U.S. would not move to Texas

5. Section 2: Tensions Grow Main Ideas • Tension between officials and Texans at Anahuac led to conflict. • The Turtle Bayou Resolutions declared Texas support for the Mexican government.

6. Main Idea 1: Tension between officials and Texans at Anahuac led to conflict. Events Leading to Anahuac • Anahuac established in fall 1830 • Fisher demands that all ships pay customs at Anahuac November 1831 • Bradburn arrests William B. Travis, Patrick Jack, and others Spring 1832 • Turtle Bayou Resolutions June 13, 1832 • Battle of Velasco June 26-29, 1832

7. Main Idea 2: The Turtle Bayou Resolutions declared Texas support for the Mexican government. Reasons for the Writing of the Turtle Bayou Resolutions • Bradburn’s arrest of some Texans and his refusal to release them • Colonists wanted to express their reasons for rebellion • Colonists wanted to reassure the government of their loyalty Causes for the Violence at Velasco • Refusal by Mexican officials to allow the rebels to pass at Velasco • Arrests at Anahuac

8. Section 3: Conventions and Petitions Main Ideas • Texans hoped that a new government in Mexico would lead to changes in Texas. • The Conventions of 1832 and 1833 requested changes in immigration policy and statehood for Texas. • Stephen F. Austin was arrested while in Mexico to present the Convention of 1833’s requests.

9. Main Idea 1: Texans hoped that a new government in Mexico would lead to changes in Texas. Texans Hoped the Constitution of 1824 Would Be Restored • Some Texans liked its federalist principles • This constitution gave Texans strong local control in government

10. Main Idea 2: The Conventions of 1832 and 1833 requested changes in immigration policy and statehood for Texas. What the Convention of 1832 Hoped to Achieve • Allow U.S. immigration • Make Texas a separate state • Exempt Texas from custom duties for three years • Provide land for public schools What the Convention of 1833 Hoped to Achieve • Many of the same principles as the Constitution of 1832 • Proposed a constitution for Texas

11. Main Idea 3: Stephen F. Austin was arrested while in Mexico to present the Convention of 1833’s requests. Austin’s Arrest Troubles Texans • Santa Anna denies Austin’s request to separate Texas and Coahuila • Arrested in Saltillo in January 1833; released in December 1834 • Not permitted to return to Texas until July 1835

12. Section 4: The Move toward War Main Ideas • Under Santa Anna, the Mexican government began to tighten its control of Texas. • Frustrated, some Texans began to call for war.

13. Main Idea 1: Under Santa Anna, the Mexican government began to tighten its control of Texas. Mexican Government’s Policies Increase Tension • Santa Anna violates the Constitution of 1824 by strengthening the central government • Santa Anna sent more troops and customs collectors to Texas

14. Main Idea 2: Frustrated, some Texans began to call for war. A Call for War • Mexico begins collecting customs duties at Anahuac • Arrest of Andrew Briscoe • Cos orders arrest of leaders of attack and sends more troops to Texas • Austin advises that war is the only choice