Chapter 14 Texas Faces Foreign Challenges Section 2

Chapter 14: Texas Faces Foreign Challenges Section 2: Conflict with Mexico

Thinking Question Imagine you are the leader of Mexico, what are some policies you might have towards Texas following the Texas Revolution?

Santa Fe Expedition • Texas claimed Rio Grande as southern border • Mexico contested this claim • Lamar wanted to expand trade and Texas influence

Santa Fe Expedition • June 1841: Lamar sends 320 people to Santa Fe • Santa Fe expedition sent to expand Texas control in the West • Hugh Mc. Leod—leader of the Santa Fe expedition

Santa Fe Expedition • Experienced hardships: Indian attacks and ran low on food and water • Wagons got stuck near Caprock • Divides soldiers

Santa Fe Expedition • Oct 1841: Captured by Mexican forces • Marched 1200 miles to Mexico City • Imprisoned until following April

Santa Fe Expedition • Jose Navarro sentenced to death • Later escaped Jose Antonio Navarro • 60 Texans died

The Texas Navy • Sept 1841: Lamar sends Navy to Yucatan coast • Rebels agreed to pay $8000/month for use of Texas Navy Flag

The Texas Navy • Lamar used the Texas Navy to pressure Mexico for recognition • 1841: Sam Houston becomes president and orders navy home • Houston tries to sell the navy

The Archives War • Mexican leaders upset with actions of the Lamar administration • 1842: General Ráfael Vásquez enters Texas • Attacks San Antonio, Goliad, Refugio, & Victoria

The Archives War • Texans panic & fear an attack on Austin • Houston orders archives be removed • Austin residents oppose move

The Archives War Depiction of Archives War • Archives War— struggle over attempt to move government record from Austin to Houston in 1842

The Archives War • Angelina Eberly— leader in the Archives War Angelina Eberly statue in Austin

The Archives War • Sept 1842: Mexico invades Texas again • Adrián Woll—Mexican general who captured San Antonio in September 1842 • Texans forced Woll to retreat

The Mier Expedition • Texans angry about attacks • Alexander Somervell—general sent by Houston to pursue General Woll • Recapture soldiers taken by General Woll

The Mier Expedition • Reach Rio Grande • Realizes he does not have enough supplies or soldiers • Orders troops home

The Mier Expedition • 300 of 750 soldiers disobey and decide to invade Mexico • Mier expedition—an invasion of Mexico by rebellious Texas troops in 1842 • Dec 23, 1842: Texans enter Mier and demand supplies

The Mier Expedition • Supplies do not arrive • Texans storm town • 900 Mexican soldiers waiting for them

The Mier Expedition • 100 Mexicans, 30 Texans killed • Texans surrender • Mexican commander ignores order to execute prisoners

The Mier Expedition • Prisoners marched to Mexico City • Santa Anna orders every 10 th prisoner shot Drawing Beans • Prisoners draw beans

The Mier Expedition • Black bean = death (blindfolded & shot) • White Bean = no punishment • September 1844: last of the prisoners released Execution of Mier Expedition participants

The Mier Expedition British Flag • Britain & France worked to restore peace between Texas & Mexico • An independent Texas would slow U. S. expansion French Flag

The Mier Expedition • Spring 1845: British presents Mexican government with a document recognizing Texas independence • Texas agrees not to be annexed • Agreement only preliminary

The Mier Expedition • Mexico agreed to proposal • Wished to prevent U. S. expansion • Texans have a choice

Texas Mexico