The Stability of the Republic of Texas
American History
April 11, 2018
After the revolution, the Republic of Texas, also called the Lone Star Republic, was free from the dictatorship of Mexico. With economic and diplomatic ties, proper money management, strong leaders, the ability to defend itself, and a well-organized government the Republic of Texas was set up to succeed.[endnoteRef:1] Although the Lone Star Republic was self-sustaining and able to prosper, Texas did not stay as an independent nation due to Sam Houston’s partiality towards annexation. [1: The University of Texas at Austin, “Five Principles Critical to Successful Nation-Building, Finds History and Global Affairs Scholar”]
The Republic of Texas had a lasting income and wise financial stewardship. Income was an important factor in the potential success of the Nation. Some of the ways that Texas gained income was through trading, establishing the tariff, selling of large tracts of land and cutting of expenses.[endnoteRef:2],[endnoteRef:3] The income generated by these examples led to the stabilization of Texas. [2: Barker, Eugene C. Papers Read at the Association] [3: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”]
For a nation to be successful it needs a sustainable income. One way the Republic of Texas generated income was through their exports and tariff. A large quantity of what was exported out of the country, was cotton.[endnoteRef:4] Along many of the nations rivers Texas could produce two-thousand pounds of cotton per acre.[endnoteRef:5] The cotton was then exported, along with other goods, through the bustling port town Galveston.[endnoteRef:6] These goods were shipped to the growing number of countries that recognized the Republic of Texas as an independent nation. Galveston produced income through the ad valorem tariff, meaning the tariff was based upon the cost of the goods, and was able to produce money for Texas.[endnoteRef:7] [4: Stein, The Story of the Lone Star Republic,20] [5: Stein, The Story of the Lone Star Republic,20] [6: Stein, The Story of the Lone Star Republic,21] [7: Barker, Eugene C. Papers Read at the Association]
In addition, the Republic of Texas had large land tracts that could be used to generate income. Because the country had such a massive quantity of unsettled land, this was an efficient use of resources. Texas had limited land and therefore, had the ability to also sell captured Mexican land to generate income.[endnoteRef:8] Built into the Texas Constitution was a safeguard for those who own land, furthering the incentive of gaining Texas land.[endnoteRef:9] The seemingly constant flow of immigrants purchasing land produced growing numbers and a steady income as well.[endnoteRef:10] As one man from Louisiana stated, “The roads hereabouts are crowed with emigrants to Texas.”[endnoteRef:11] With growing numbers and large tracts of land the Texas government was able to create a constant income. [8: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [9: Texas State Historical Association, “Constitution of the Republic of Texas”] [10: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [11: Davis, Lone Star Rising, 304]
The Republic of Texas also demonstrated proper money management by cutting unnecessary expenses. Two ways that this can be exemplified is the removing of unnecessary programs and the creative use of resources. During Sam Houston’s second term as president he combined and cut many offices.[endnoteRef:12] He reduced the spending of the Republic of Texas by massive quantities.[endnoteRef:13] President Lamar, the second president of Texas, spent $4,855,000 during one term whereas Houston spent only $511,000 during a term. [endnoteRef:14] Texas also reduced expenses by having elite forces, such as the Rangers, instead of having a large standing army.[endnoteRef:15] Another example of wise money management in Texas was the creative use of resources to save money. One way the Texas government did this was using 327 head of cattle to feed the Texan Army, instead of using tax money. [endnoteRef:16] In doing this the Republic of Texas demonstrated good money handling skills. [12: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [13: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [14: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [15: Moore, Texas Rising ,307 ] [16: Moore, Texas Rising, 239]
Along with a steady income any country that is attempting to support itself and gain world-wide recognition needs to have diplomatic ties to other nations to succeed.[endnoteRef:17] Texas had good relations with the Native Americans, the United States, and other countries, and was taking steps to reconciliate with Mexico and gain recognition.[endnoteRef:18] Sam Houston sent peace talks to the Native American tribes in Texas to gain treaties. This attempt at peace was successful and agreements were made.[endnoteRef:19] However, hostility between the nations returned when Mexico succeeded at agitating the native tribes. Sam Houston again sent diplomats to regain the trust of the Native Americans and to reestablish peace.[endnoteRef:20] The U.S. also had strong diplomatic ties with the Republic of Texas and was one of the many countries to recognize Texas as an independent nation. The diplomatic ties with the United States is also evident as Texas was able to gain approval for a loan from Philadelphia. Some other countries that recognized the Texas Republic as an independent nation were Holland, Britain, England, the Netherlands and France among others who they secured trade with.[endnoteRef:21],[endnoteRef:22] Although Mexico never recognized Texas as an independent nation during the annexation process, Texas had to choose between annexation and recognition of Texas by Mexico.[endnoteRef:23] If the Texas government chose annexation Mexico would not recognize Texas as independent as Mexico did not want Texas to be annexed by the United States. Had Texas chosen recognition it would have increased trade and decreased wars drastically. These diplomatic relations helped Texas strengthen its government. [17: The University of Texas at Austin, “Five Principles Critical to Successful Nation-Building, Finds History and Global Affairs Scholar”] [18: Texas State Historical Association, “Diplomatic relations of the Republic of Texas”] [19: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [20: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [21: Texas State Historical Association, “Diplomatic relations of the Republic of Texas”] [22: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [23: Texas State Historical Association, “Diplomatic relations of the Republic of Texas”]
Another example of the stability of the Lone Star Republic was the organization of the Texas government. Two ways that this can be seen is through the Congress implemented infrastructure and the governmental system. One example of the successful infrastructure were the roads.[endnoteRef:24],[endnoteRef:25] The nation had at least two Congress-planned roads: The Central National Road and the National Road.[endnoteRef:26] The two Congress-planned roads helped generate a flow of immigrants which in turn would generate larger income for the Texas Republic. Another example of successful infrastructure and governmental action in the Texas Republic was the authorization to start building trading posts, blockhouses and forts.[endnoteRef:27] The forts and blockhouses that were built made a good first defenses. Another way that the stability of the Texas government can be exemplified is the process’ of the Texas government. One example of his was how the government was well organized. This can be supported as the Texas government was based on the United States’.[endnoteRef:28] Akin to the United States’ government, the Texas Republic had three branches with checks and balances keeping each limited in power, furthering the stability of the Lone Star Republic.[endnoteRef:29] The infrastructure and governmental system are two ways that the stability of the Texas Republic was evident. [24: Moore, Texas Rising, 242] [25: Texas State Historical Association, “National Road”] [26: Texas State Historical Association, “National Road”] [27: Moore, Texas Rising, 242] [28: Texas State Historical Association, “Law”] [29: Texas State Historical Association, “Constitution of the Republic of Texas”]
The nation of Texas had strong leaders that enabled it to prosper. Two strong leaders in Texas were Houston and Jack Hays. Houston was the president of Texas and a strong leader. One way that Houston’s leadership can be exemplified is through his use of governmental resources. An example of this was when Houston cut government spending his second term.[endnoteRef:30] Another example was how, although the governmental leaders wanted to have an army similar army to the United States, he recognized that this was not possible and instead implemented a different style.[endnoteRef:31] The third example of Houston’s strong leadership was His ability to gain the trust of the Indian tribes. Houston was able to gain the trust of the Indians even after the Mexican government had encouraged dissent throughout the tribes.[endnoteRef:32] Captain Jack Hays was also a good leader in the Texas Republic. Hays lead a band of Texas Rangers, an elite force of fighters.[endnoteRef:33] The Texas Rangers were effective and well-disciplined because of Hays’ good leadership.[endnoteRef:34] An example of this was when Hays led the Texans to defeat the Mexicans with one Texan casualty and 60 Mexican casualties.[endnoteRef:35] Sam Houston and Jack Hays were two examples of strong leadership in Texas. [30: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [31: Moore, Texas Rising, 305] [32: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”] [33: Utley, Lone Star Justice, 12 ] [34: Utley, Lone Star Justice, 12] [35: Utley, Lone Star Justice, 12]
Another important aspect of a new nation needed to survive is the ability to defend itself. The Texas Republic had to defend itself from the rare attacks from Mexico but was well prepared. The Lone Star Republic had at least one regiment of cavalry, one regiment of artillery, and four regiments of infantry, a massive army for Texas’ size. As well as the ability to maintain an army, the Texas Republic also had a navy.[endnoteRef:36] At times of war one tenth of the Anglo-Texans were in the army. Although an army of this size would seem to take an elongated amount of time to mobilize, the Texas government had an effective postal system put into place quickly after liberating themselves. The mobilizing of the army was also quicker due to government-owned roads. With the combination of the two the Texas army could almost triple in size over the course of four months. Whilst the Texas army was still growing, the Rangers could defend the country. The Texas Rangers were all armed with Patterson Colts and rifles. Armed with the Colts and rifles the Rangers could fire off five quick shots and then switch cylinders to fire off more. Therefore, they could efficiently attack and defend from the Mexican army. The last way that it can be understood that the Texas Republic had a well defended nation was how Congress authorized the building of forts around the nation. The forts and blockhouses built were used to defend against violent Native tribes and protecting the civilians from the Natives. Those are some of defenses that the nation of Texas had. [36: Texas State Historical Association, “Republic of Texas”]
To survive, a new nation needs economic and diplomatic ties, financial stewardship, strong leaders, the ability to defend itself, and a well-organized government.[endnoteRef:37] It is evident that Texas met each of the requirements to be a successful, self-supporting, nation. However, they did not remain independent as Sam Houston strongly encouraged annexation. [37: The University of Texas at Austin, “Five Principles Critical to Successful Nation-Building, Finds History and Global Affairs Scholar”
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