The Beginning: Sam Houston’s First Term as
President of the New Republic
Sam Houston’s
Government

 Houston Forms a Government (p. 270)
 In September 1836, months after the revolution, Texans held an
election. In the election they:
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•
•
•
Elected Sam Houston as their 1st president
Elected Mirabeau B. Lamar as their 1st Vice President
Approved the Constitution written at the Convention of 1836
Approved a proposal that Texas join the United States
 Houston chose Stephen F. Austin as the Secretary of State
•
Sadly, Austin died only a few weeks later. He was 43 years old.
 The new leaders selected Houston as their capital for three
years. The decision on a permanent capital was delayed.
So… Texas now has everything we
need to start out as a NEW
NATION… The Republic of Texas!!!!
Sam Houston
President
Mirabeau Lamar
Vice President
•
•
•
New leaders
New government and laws
A new capital
However, according to the election in
September of 1836, how did MOST Texans
(that voted) feel about remaining
independent forever?
They wanted
to be part of
the fabulous
United States!
We don’t
want
you!!!!
Let’s talk about these new leaders…
We know they elected a president…
Sam Houston
President
And a vice president…
Mirabeau Lamar
Vice President
You also need to know that President Houston had a CABINET
NO!!!
Not awhen
file cabinet…
A cabinet,
you are referring to government, is a group of ADVISERS to
a political head of government (like a president)
The president, since he is the boss now and everything, gets to CHOOSE
which advisers he wants to be in his cabinet. These advisors are NOT
ELECETD… they are APPOINTED.
What kind of advisors did he have? Some of
the positions in Houston’s cabinet were:
• The Secretary of State
• The Secretary of the Treasury
• The Secretary of War
What does the Secretary of State do?
The Secretary of State advises the president on foreign affairs, and spends a lot of time
traveling around the world to meet with world leaders.
What does the Secretary of the Treasury do?
Even before the Revolution was over, the new Republic of Texas was in debt... they
had money problems. The office of the Secretary of the Treasury in the president’s
cabinet was created to manage the new nation’s MONEY. He is the main
ECONOMIC advisor to the president and plays a really important role in dealing
with any economic problems or issues the government may face. The Secretary is
responsible for making and recommending tax policies, and other necessary financial
or economic solutions to problems faced by the new nation.
What does the Secretary of War do?
The Secretary of War is responsible for all military matters that face the new nation,
including the Texas Army and the Texas Navy. They also work with the Secretary
of the Treasury to help the new nation fund any military activities that need to be
carried out.
It’s time to step into…
You guys are going to pretend that you are
President Houston and his new cabinet. You will
be presented with some problems that the new
republic faced after they became independent. As
our new leaders, it is your responsibility to work
together to solve these problems.
And yes… ALL your solutions HAVE to be realistic…
no aliens, magic, or freaky stuff… only Ms. Fleming has
the power to create that stuff in Flemingworld!!!
Problem #1
Military
The Revolution was over, but there were still a
bunch of guys in Texas who wanted to fight
Mexico! Dang… drop it already…
How did Houston solve it in the REAL WORLD?
(p. 271) Houston Faces Trouble With the Army
• He realized another war with Mexico could mean an end
to the new republic
• He had his Secretary of War send the entire army home,
EXCEPT for 600 soldiers… (No more army? No more
problem!)
Problem #2
Recognition
In order for Texas to survive as a new nation, other
nations and to agree that we were independent from
Mexico. Otherwise, they wouldn’t do business with
us… this is called RECOGNITION
How did Houston solve it in the REAL WORLD?
(p. 272-273) Recognition as a Nation
• He had his Secretary of State send diplomats to the US to
work for recognition
• The US finally recognized the Republic of Texas on March
3, 1837
• Other countries that recognized us were Great Britain,
France, and the Netherlands
• Mexico NEVER did…
Problem #3
Indians
The revolution is over, but the Indians have decided
that now would be a great time to step up the raids…
they are killing and kidnapping more settlers than
ever!
How did Houston solve it in the REAL WORLD?
(p. 273-274) Native American and Texan Conflicts
• Houston had his Secretary of War call on the Texas
Rangers to help with the Indian attacks
• Houston also tried to make peace with the Cherokees by
giving them titles to their land in East Texas… the Texas
Senate, however, refused to accept this
Problem #4
Money
It sure was nice of the US and other countries to give
us money to fight Mexico… however, now we have
to pay back the $1.25 million that they (and others)
loaned us PLUS we need money to run the new
nation…
How did Houston solve this in the REAL WORLD?
(p. 274) Texas Debt Soars
• Houston had his Secretary of the Treasury increase
REVENUE by placing a TARIFF on imported goods
• Congress imposed property taxes, business taxes and title
fees
• We still had more EXPENDITURES than revenue…
• By the end of Houston’s first term, we were $2 million in
debt
Houston’s First Term RECAP
Major PROBLEMS During His First Term
Recognition
Military
Annexation
Native Americans
Debt
Santa Anna