Causes of the Texas Revolution (1)

Causes Leading to the
Texas Revolution

Vocabulary Words

★ Rebellion: to resist authority or control.
★ Abolish: to end or do away with.
★ Petition: a formal request for something.
★ Resolution: to resolve, make a decision, or determination.
★ Federalist: someone who supports power being divided between the state and

national government.
★ Centralist: someone who believes all power should go to the national

government.

Causes Leading to the
Texas Revolution

Fredonian Rebellion (1826)

Benjamin Edwards and a small band of
followers proclaimed the creation of a new
independent state in Texas separate from

Mexico. They called it the Republic of
Fredonia and signed a Declaration of
Independence in 1826. They raised a red and
white flag bearing the words, “Independence,
Liberty, and Justice.” Mexican troops ended

the Fredonian rebellion in 1827.

Mier Y Teran Report (1828)

Mexican officials sent General Manuel de Mier y
Teran to inspect Texas. Mier y Teran expressed his
concerns about the growing American influence in
Texas. He urged the Mexican government to place

more troops around the settlements, work to
attract more Mexican and European settlers, and
develop more trade between Texas and Mexico.

The Slavery Ban in Texas (1829)

★ Anglo settlers worried that the Mexican
government would abolish, or end, slavery.
Anglo settlers relied on slave labor for their
farms and plantations.

★ The president of Mexico issued a decree, or
ruling, abolishing slavery. However the
decree was never actually enforced in
Texas.

The Law of April 6, 1830

★ The Law of April 6, 1830 passed by the
Mexican government stated:

○ Outlawed immigration from the United States
○ Suspended incomplete grants with

empresarios
○ Encouraged immigration of Mexicans and

Europeans to Texas
○ Outlawed slavery in Mexico and Texas
○ Added taxes to all foreign goods entering Texas

Turtle Bay Resolutions (1832)

On June 13, 1832, Texans from Turtle
Bayou adopted the Turtle Bayou

Resolutions. In these Resolutions, or
formal statements, they declared their

loyalty to Mexico, but not to the
Mexican government. The Texans
stated their support for Santa Anna, a
federalist, and Mexico’s Federalists.

Stephen F. Austin’s Arrest (1833)

★ As Anglo settlers in Texas frustrations grew, they
began to think about Texas forming its own state
or country separate from Mexico.

★ Stephen F. Austin was later arrested in Mexico City
because the Mexican government believed Austin’s
suggestion to form a new state government was an
act of rebellion. Before his arrest he believed in
keeping a good relationship between Mexico and
the settlers in Texas. Now, his patience was at an
end, and soon Austin would change his approach
toward the Mexican government.