OUTLINE

THE DYSFUNCTIONAL REPUBLIC

I. Independence

Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836

Treaties of Velasco

II. Functions of a nation

--provide security from external enemies

--promote domestic law and order

--promote prosperity

--promote unity and harmony

III. First, a government:

A. election of September 1836

1. ratify Constitution of 1836

2. approve annexation

3. elect officials

a) president, Sam Houston

b) vice president, Mirabeau B. Lamar

c) secretary of state, Stephen F. Austin

d) secretary of treasury, Henry Smith

e) secretary of war, Thomas J. Rusk

IV. Assessing the Republic

A. providing security from external enemies

1. Mexico

a) Rafael Vásquez invasion, March 1842

b) Adrián Woll invasion, September 1842

c) Mier Expedition and Black Bean incident

B. promoting domestic law and order

1. the army

2. internal unrest

a) Regulator-Moderator War, 1839-1844

b) Córdova Rebellion, 1838

c) Indians

(1) Cherokees

(2) Comanches

(a) Council House Fight, 1840

(b) Battle of Plum Creek, 1840

C. promote prosperity

1. foolish spending

a) Indian wars

b) capital in Austin

c) foreign adventures

(1) Mier Expedtion

(2) Santa Fe Expedition, 1841

2. lack of tax revenues

a) land sales

b) empresario system

(1) Peters colony

(2) Germans in Hill Country

(3) Castro colony

c) import duties

3. lack of foreign trade

a) trading partners?

b) credit

c) diplomatic recognition

(1) U.S. (1837)

(2) Western European countries (1841)

4. Result: national debt

D. promote unity and harmony

1. education

2. religion

3. common culture

4. national identity

a) Lamar’s vision vs. Houston’s vision

b) Texians or Americans?