I'm pretty sure you mean France's actions. Minor typo aside, this is shaping up to be an interesting timeline. I echo the opinions of other who are astounded by how quickly you are able to put out quality updates. I did an AAR on another site once and even though the story and graphics were provided by the game I was playing I still was lucky to get one update per week. Well done.
Lone Star Republic
- Thread starter Kaiser Chris
- Start date
That map is actually pretty good. Can you tell me how you made the map? I'm sorry for the quality of the first one but this is my first time creating a TL and I don't have many computer or map making skills. If i could get the correct program i would try to make all my maps as correct as possible and hopefully use more in each update. Edit: Just edited post and put your map on.
All credit for Guadalupe Hidalgo Map goes to Cool-Eh
I can tell from that Texan star that you use the free version of paint, I used to use that and it is a terrible program.
I use GIPM these days and it works quite well, although you have to spend some time getting to know how to use it.
For that map I just recolored the Mexican states from a map of 1841 Mexico that is on Wikipedia.
I use GIPM these days and it works quite well, although you have to spend some time getting to know how to use it.
For that map I just recolored the Mexican states from a map of 1841 Mexico that is on Wikipedia.
Chapter 17 Texas 1837
Chapter 17 Texas 1837
"You would've been so proud of what your dream became, father."- Secretary of State Stephen F. Austin 1841
"It's times like these where i wonder if this is how proud Washington felt like when running the United States."- President Sam Houston 1837
The following is a series of events that take place within the Republic of Texas in 1837 A.D
January 24th, 1837: Senator William H. Wharton from the district of Victoria, introduces the design of the Lone Star flag to the congressional floor. Based on the flag of the United States of America, the colors in the Lone Star flag have; blue which represents loyalty, red for bravery, and white for liberty. The lone star represents Texas and the nations unity and strength before God and country. Meanwhile, the lone red and white stripe is based on the flag of the rebels during the Fredonian Rebellion. The flag is unanimously approved by the Texas Congress and is signed into law as the national flag on January 27th. The Burnet flag meanwhile is used as the nation's war flag until after the Mexican War.
March 2nd, 1837: On the one year anniversary of Texas's independence, Congress convenes to establish a new capitol for the nation. There is much debate over where the capitol will be located as the Tejanos and westerners push for San Antonio, Gulf representatives for Galveston, Houston's faction for the new city of Houston, and a few proposals for establishment at Santa Fe to act as a midway point. Vice-President Lamar suggests a compromise and calls for construction of a capitol at a location near the Waterloo area around the Colorado river. Lamar cites his reason for the location as being directly in the center of Texas, an established midway for trade between Galveston and Santa Fe, as well as the areas large hills for defense and fertile landscape. In the two months afterwords congress would be decided until the Treaty of Gudadulupe Hidalgo would arrive before the senate. After ratification, congressmen start to move towards Lamar's idea and the proposal gains a majority. President Houston enacts a veto against the proposal but the bill is able to gain a 2/3rd's majority after being sent back to congress. Seeing no other choice, Houston signed the bill into law on June 14th. Official settlement does not start until late in September and Columbia is still the temporary capitol until the next presidential term on December 10th, 1838.
Present day Texas Congress in Austin
March 3rd, 1837: On his last day of office, US President Andrew Jackson recognizes the Republic of Texas's independence and sets up relations between America and Texas. A Texan embassy is set up within Washington by the end of the year while the United States constructs a consulate within Galveston and a permanent embassy in Austin in 1839.
May 5th, 1837: The Republic of Texas recognizes both the Republic of Yucatan and Republic of Rio Grande's independence, relations are quickly established between all nations with embassies being set up by the end of the year. Rio Grande is able to keep a consulate within Laredo, tensions rise between both countries however on the Rio Grande border, for now peace and trade remains between both nations. The Texan-Yucatan alliance soon turns into a special relationship that remains well into the 21st century, early ties are affirmed when Attorney General de Zavala, a native of the Yucatan, makes a trip in 1838 supporting Texas's friendship with the Yucatan. Texas will also be of immense support in both the Guatemala War and the Mayan rebellions in the 1840's, while Yucatan will play a pivotal role in the Mexican War.
May 29th, 1837: Debate begins within congress over the status of California within Texas. Some argue that California should be sold to the United States in order to receive a large amount of money to boost the economy. Others advocate for California to remain within Texas and be invested in as the nations pacific port. There is much debate within the nationalists on in the situation a Texan California occurs if the nation should remain centralized or become a United States of Texas. The House and Senate finally compromise on a solution and enact the constitution on the decentralization of California in a new Commonwealth system. In it the Commonwealths are set up similarly to states but with several exceptions; Senators are determined by districts as within Texas. The Commonwealth is given a greater amount of autonomy compared to the states, with the national government controlling state militias in wartime, controlling all foreign trade and national commerce, and national infrastructure. All forms of government that are not specified by the Constitution or laws by the national government may be interpreted and enacted by the commonwealth government. The Commonwealth would also have its own regional legislature with a format similar to the national structure. California would be given control over both Alta and Baja California but the national government has the right to divide it into 5 separate commonwealths. Monterrey is kept within as the capitol while Juan Bautista Alvarado is recognized as its Governor. While many Californians are still angry at what was essentially a forced annexation of their territory, most see the benefits of living in Texas with extra autonomy that was not given to them in Mexico. Therefore, no major rebellions occur within California during its time in Texas.
June, 1837: Settlers, primarily form the states of Arkansas and Missouri, start to settle near the Trinity river, close to the borders of Indian territory and Arkansas. American pioneer, John Neely Bryan, builds a permanent settlement after attempting to establish a trade outpost with local Native American tribes. This settlement is founded in 1842 and is named Lamar, Texas, after then President Mirabeau B. Lamar. The area is reinforced by the Texan army in 1846 with the construction of nearby Fort Travis. Over the years the Lamar-Fort Travis area becomes a major transportation hub with Lamar acting as a terminus to the Texas rail line from the United States, with Fort Travis being a center of the cattle industry as well as a gateway to the west for Texan immigrants from East. The metropolitan area today is Texas's second largest and a rival to the Houston-Galveston area. (OTL Dallas-Fort Worth)
Lamar, Texas
June 5th, 1837: The city of Houston is officially incorporated into the Republic of Texas, it is confirmed as the seat of Harris county and senatorial seat of the Harris district.
June 13th, 1837: The first Congress of the Republic ends according to terms set by last years election. A new session is enacted on August 13th with many senators and congressmen keeping their seats after being reelected 2 months prior. One notable exception is Juan Seguin who is elected as Senator of San Antonio.
July 4th, 1837: The Redback is introduced as the primary currency of the Republic of Texas
September 4th, 1837: The Santa Fe expedition is launched. The idea which originated from Vice-President Lamar and later approved by Houston, was created with the intentions of incorporating the New Mexico territory into Texas as well as supporting the creation of a stable trade route with Santa Fe, that could eventually lead to California. The expedition is headed by Jose Antonio Navarro as well as Attorney General Lorenzo de Zavala. The expedition carries merchandise around $150,000, and is accompanies by 250 Texan soldiers as well as 1,000 French troops that are sent to garrison the area. The expedition arrives in mid-December and is an immense success with large amounts of trade being conducted as well as negotiations between former New Mexican governor Manuel Armijo and de Zavala. While New Mexico is incorporated as a part of Texas and is not given the same Commonwealth status as California; they gain numerous economic benefits as well as Santa Fe being the center of the new New Mexico district and Santa Fe county. Manuel Armijo is chosen as the district's first senator.
September 14th, 1837: The Texas Defense and Security act is brought before congress. In it the Texan army is reduced to a single regiment of 1,000 men; with four battalions being stationed at Santa Fe, San Diego, San Antonio, and Houston. The Texas Rangers are formed into a regiment and given extensive funding and extended powers to patrol the frontier and uphold the law within the Republic. Finally 6 ships are proposed to be added to the Texas Navy by 1840. Many within congress are divided on additional expansion to the Navy as it would require massive funding and is not necessary at the time due to peace with Mexico. Support begins to grow when French Admiral Charles Baudin assures the government that France would be more than willing to support Texan Naval expansion and would possibly be willing to sell old French warships. The bill is passed on July 31st with Travis still retaining command of the army, while American sailor Edwin Moore (Father of the Texas Navy), receives command of the Texan Navy as a Commodore. Deaf Smith is assigned as the head of the Texas Rangers and over the years will shape the organization into its current day standard with its introduction into a paramilitary state police force.
RTS Archer Early Texas Rangers (1845)
November 10th, 1837: In order to deal with the oncoming waves of immigrants to the new nation and help them settle in the frontier, the Department of Immigration and Customs is formally established. Jose Antonio Navarro is chosen as the first Secretary of Immigration.
Jose Antonio Navarro
December 11th, 1837: President Houston announces the Indian Citizenship initiative. The program details that any Indian tribe currently living in Texas may seek to live under the Republic as lawful citizens, in return for obeying the nation's laws, the tribes lands are converted to a county and possible senatorial district depending upon the tribe's population and land area. Houston's reasons for this being his past years living among the Cherokee and wanting for them to find a place in Texas after having been forced from the United States. As expected, many congressmen and Vice-President Lamar disapprove of this program and vow to block any sort of admittance of the Indians. Houston instead works around congress and operates the initiative through the State Department as the matter is one of negotiations between Texas and "sovereign" Indian tribes. It is unknown which tribes will come to the negotiations but many look towards the Comanche in anticipation of their response.
"You would've been so proud of what your dream became, father."- Secretary of State Stephen F. Austin 1841
"It's times like these where i wonder if this is how proud Washington felt like when running the United States."- President Sam Houston 1837
The following is a series of events that take place within the Republic of Texas in 1837 A.D
January 24th, 1837: Senator William H. Wharton from the district of Victoria, introduces the design of the Lone Star flag to the congressional floor. Based on the flag of the United States of America, the colors in the Lone Star flag have; blue which represents loyalty, red for bravery, and white for liberty. The lone star represents Texas and the nations unity and strength before God and country. Meanwhile, the lone red and white stripe is based on the flag of the rebels during the Fredonian Rebellion. The flag is unanimously approved by the Texas Congress and is signed into law as the national flag on January 27th. The Burnet flag meanwhile is used as the nation's war flag until after the Mexican War.
March 2nd, 1837: On the one year anniversary of Texas's independence, Congress convenes to establish a new capitol for the nation. There is much debate over where the capitol will be located as the Tejanos and westerners push for San Antonio, Gulf representatives for Galveston, Houston's faction for the new city of Houston, and a few proposals for establishment at Santa Fe to act as a midway point. Vice-President Lamar suggests a compromise and calls for construction of a capitol at a location near the Waterloo area around the Colorado river. Lamar cites his reason for the location as being directly in the center of Texas, an established midway for trade between Galveston and Santa Fe, as well as the areas large hills for defense and fertile landscape. In the two months afterwords congress would be decided until the Treaty of Gudadulupe Hidalgo would arrive before the senate. After ratification, congressmen start to move towards Lamar's idea and the proposal gains a majority. President Houston enacts a veto against the proposal but the bill is able to gain a 2/3rd's majority after being sent back to congress. Seeing no other choice, Houston signed the bill into law on June 14th. Official settlement does not start until late in September and Columbia is still the temporary capitol until the next presidential term on December 10th, 1838.
Present day Texas Congress in Austin
March 3rd, 1837: On his last day of office, US President Andrew Jackson recognizes the Republic of Texas's independence and sets up relations between America and Texas. A Texan embassy is set up within Washington by the end of the year while the United States constructs a consulate within Galveston and a permanent embassy in Austin in 1839.
May 5th, 1837: The Republic of Texas recognizes both the Republic of Yucatan and Republic of Rio Grande's independence, relations are quickly established between all nations with embassies being set up by the end of the year. Rio Grande is able to keep a consulate within Laredo, tensions rise between both countries however on the Rio Grande border, for now peace and trade remains between both nations. The Texan-Yucatan alliance soon turns into a special relationship that remains well into the 21st century, early ties are affirmed when Attorney General de Zavala, a native of the Yucatan, makes a trip in 1838 supporting Texas's friendship with the Yucatan. Texas will also be of immense support in both the Guatemala War and the Mayan rebellions in the 1840's, while Yucatan will play a pivotal role in the Mexican War.
May 29th, 1837: Debate begins within congress over the status of California within Texas. Some argue that California should be sold to the United States in order to receive a large amount of money to boost the economy. Others advocate for California to remain within Texas and be invested in as the nations pacific port. There is much debate within the nationalists on in the situation a Texan California occurs if the nation should remain centralized or become a United States of Texas. The House and Senate finally compromise on a solution and enact the constitution on the decentralization of California in a new Commonwealth system. In it the Commonwealths are set up similarly to states but with several exceptions; Senators are determined by districts as within Texas. The Commonwealth is given a greater amount of autonomy compared to the states, with the national government controlling state militias in wartime, controlling all foreign trade and national commerce, and national infrastructure. All forms of government that are not specified by the Constitution or laws by the national government may be interpreted and enacted by the commonwealth government. The Commonwealth would also have its own regional legislature with a format similar to the national structure. California would be given control over both Alta and Baja California but the national government has the right to divide it into 5 separate commonwealths. Monterrey is kept within as the capitol while Juan Bautista Alvarado is recognized as its Governor. While many Californians are still angry at what was essentially a forced annexation of their territory, most see the benefits of living in Texas with extra autonomy that was not given to them in Mexico. Therefore, no major rebellions occur within California during its time in Texas.
June, 1837: Settlers, primarily form the states of Arkansas and Missouri, start to settle near the Trinity river, close to the borders of Indian territory and Arkansas. American pioneer, John Neely Bryan, builds a permanent settlement after attempting to establish a trade outpost with local Native American tribes. This settlement is founded in 1842 and is named Lamar, Texas, after then President Mirabeau B. Lamar. The area is reinforced by the Texan army in 1846 with the construction of nearby Fort Travis. Over the years the Lamar-Fort Travis area becomes a major transportation hub with Lamar acting as a terminus to the Texas rail line from the United States, with Fort Travis being a center of the cattle industry as well as a gateway to the west for Texan immigrants from East. The metropolitan area today is Texas's second largest and a rival to the Houston-Galveston area. (OTL Dallas-Fort Worth)
Lamar, Texas
June 5th, 1837: The city of Houston is officially incorporated into the Republic of Texas, it is confirmed as the seat of Harris county and senatorial seat of the Harris district.
June 13th, 1837: The first Congress of the Republic ends according to terms set by last years election. A new session is enacted on August 13th with many senators and congressmen keeping their seats after being reelected 2 months prior. One notable exception is Juan Seguin who is elected as Senator of San Antonio.
July 4th, 1837: The Redback is introduced as the primary currency of the Republic of Texas
September 4th, 1837: The Santa Fe expedition is launched. The idea which originated from Vice-President Lamar and later approved by Houston, was created with the intentions of incorporating the New Mexico territory into Texas as well as supporting the creation of a stable trade route with Santa Fe, that could eventually lead to California. The expedition is headed by Jose Antonio Navarro as well as Attorney General Lorenzo de Zavala. The expedition carries merchandise around $150,000, and is accompanies by 250 Texan soldiers as well as 1,000 French troops that are sent to garrison the area. The expedition arrives in mid-December and is an immense success with large amounts of trade being conducted as well as negotiations between former New Mexican governor Manuel Armijo and de Zavala. While New Mexico is incorporated as a part of Texas and is not given the same Commonwealth status as California; they gain numerous economic benefits as well as Santa Fe being the center of the new New Mexico district and Santa Fe county. Manuel Armijo is chosen as the district's first senator.
September 14th, 1837: The Texas Defense and Security act is brought before congress. In it the Texan army is reduced to a single regiment of 1,000 men; with four battalions being stationed at Santa Fe, San Diego, San Antonio, and Houston. The Texas Rangers are formed into a regiment and given extensive funding and extended powers to patrol the frontier and uphold the law within the Republic. Finally 6 ships are proposed to be added to the Texas Navy by 1840. Many within congress are divided on additional expansion to the Navy as it would require massive funding and is not necessary at the time due to peace with Mexico. Support begins to grow when French Admiral Charles Baudin assures the government that France would be more than willing to support Texan Naval expansion and would possibly be willing to sell old French warships. The bill is passed on July 31st with Travis still retaining command of the army, while American sailor Edwin Moore (Father of the Texas Navy), receives command of the Texan Navy as a Commodore. Deaf Smith is assigned as the head of the Texas Rangers and over the years will shape the organization into its current day standard with its introduction into a paramilitary state police force.
RTS Archer Early Texas Rangers (1845)
November 10th, 1837: In order to deal with the oncoming waves of immigrants to the new nation and help them settle in the frontier, the Department of Immigration and Customs is formally established. Jose Antonio Navarro is chosen as the first Secretary of Immigration.
Jose Antonio Navarro
December 11th, 1837: President Houston announces the Indian Citizenship initiative. The program details that any Indian tribe currently living in Texas may seek to live under the Republic as lawful citizens, in return for obeying the nation's laws, the tribes lands are converted to a county and possible senatorial district depending upon the tribe's population and land area. Houston's reasons for this being his past years living among the Cherokee and wanting for them to find a place in Texas after having been forced from the United States. As expected, many congressmen and Vice-President Lamar disapprove of this program and vow to block any sort of admittance of the Indians. Houston instead works around congress and operates the initiative through the State Department as the matter is one of negotiations between Texas and "sovereign" Indian tribes. It is unknown which tribes will come to the negotiations but many look towards the Comanche in anticipation of their response.
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Chapter 18 The Van Buren Administration
Chapter 18 The Van Buren Administration
"I could've done... so... much."- Last words of President Martin Van Buren 1838
"Who the hell is Richard Mentor Johnson?"- President Andrew Jackson 1836
"Your damn obsession with the bank is going to lead this country to ruin."- Henry Clay 1833
To say that Martin Van Buren is one of the unluckiest presidents in American History is quite the understatement. Coming into office in 1837, Van Buren lead the country in the aftermath of a highly popular (yet controversial) two terms under Jackson. Overall the economy was doing great, Texas had won its independence from Mexico, Michigan was about to enter the union; what could possibly go wrong? Apparently for the unfortunate 8th president, everything. Only five weeks into his term, the United States entered into a extreme depression when the New York banks suspended specie payments (refusing redemption of commercial paper) on May 10th, causing a immense panic throughout the country which lead to multiple withdrawals from state banks and foreclosures of many within the west. The so called panic of 1837, was so severe that a depression lasted in the United States for the next 7 years and unemployment was so high that in some areas it was 25%. The causes for the panic are rather numerous but can be traced to land speculation in the west, decreasing cotton prices, a collapsed land bubble, and international specie movements. Though one primary factor that numerous historians agree upon is the closing of the Second National Bank. Andrew Jackson was a rather paranoid man who believed that the bank was a large venue for corruption and monopolization of the economy by the wealthy class. Using his presidential veto, Jackson refused to renew the banks charter past its expiration date. Unfortunately, the Whigs were never able to rally enough support in congress and the bank closed in 1836. Once the national bank closed, spending and loan powers were transferred to state banks, who often gave out loans in large amounts of paper money without backing of gold or silver, which lead to an increased inflation. This along with the land speculation in the west caused the effects of the depression to stay for several years instead of being handled within a few. Even though Van Buren never had any direct role to play in the closing of the national bank, many members of the Whig party blamed incorrectly blamed him as the cause of the Panic and issued propaganda of him acting as Jackson's "pawn" to ruin the economy, giving him the unfortunate nickname of "Martin Van Ruin". Due to large infighting among the Democratic party, as well as staunch opposition by the Whigs, Van Buren was unable to find any sort of comprehensive solution while the nation slid further into economic ruin.
A political ad in 1837 showing a family of Jackson supporters wondering why they can't find work, while portraits of Jackson and Van Buren hang in the background.
Van Buren's poor domestic situation unfortunately (or fortunately if your a patriotic Texan) lead to the cancellation of any plans within the United States to annex the new Republic of Texas. This movement was going to receive many difficulties in the first place, as Van Buren being a northerner, was against any admittance of a slave state into the Union in order to preserve the slave/free state balance. While Van Buren was all for supporting Texas independence, he did not want slavery to grow to the pacific under any circumstances. Additionally, even if Van Buren was a strong supporter of Texan annexation, the motion would have come under heavy opposition from Northern Democrats and the Whig party, both of who saw Texas as a wild and lawless land which would only give power to the south in the long run. The Panic only served to increase Whig power and they were expected to gain a majority in the '38 midterm elections, preventing any treaty for annexation from passing the senate. Finally in scenario where annexation did occur, it would take millions of dollars to incorporate the new territory into the nation due to the need to assume Texas's debt as well as setting up the national infrastructure, with a high depression going on it would be impossible for the United States to assume this extra economic burden. So, to the upset of Houston, Texas would remain independent for the indefinate future.
If fate had smiled kindly on Martin Van Buren, then he would've served the rest of his term fixing the economy and quietly retire in 1841 or 1845. What Van Buren would've done is something that many people can only speculate as his life would end in 1838 due to the actions of one man, Edward Booth. Booth was a cotton plantation owner from South Carolina who was a firm supporter of Calhoun's nullification faction. He was already ill content at Jackson for what he perceived as the upmost violation of state's rights for the nullification crisis in 1832. He would soon develop a hatred for Van Buren after losing much of his fortune from the Panic due to the collapse of the cotton market as well as money lost in speculation schemes in Missouri. Forced to sell his slaves and plantation, Booth was a ruined man. For him there was only one man to blame for his troubles, thus Booth traveled to Washington D.C with a pistol in his luggage with a plan for blood. On April 15th, 1838, Martin Van Buren was enjoying a play in an outdoor theater on the outskirts of D.C. Bribing the stage crew with the last of his money, Booth snuck up on stage on shot the president in his reserved theater box, shouting "DEATH TO THE TYRANT!". The crowd as well as the actors rushed onto booth while the presidents aides struggled to get Van Buren to a hospital, by the time they got there it was too late. Martin Van Buren was no longer of this world.
President Martin Van Buren (1782-1838)
April 15th, 1838. 8:30 P.M, The White House
Vice-President Richard Mentor Johnson was currently enjoying a meal within his office of the West Wing. In the past year Johnson had found much boredom and depression within the capitol. When he was offered the chance to be on the Democratic ticket with Van Buren, Johnson jumped at the opportunity to become center stage in national politics and quickly agreed. Unfortunately as he would find out in his first year, the office of Vice-President was merely a bureaucratic dead weight with very little power and him mostly standing in for ceremony. No one took Johnson seriously and Van Buren gave him little to do within the government. Thankfully though, with the ongoing depression, no one pointed fingers at the Vice-President for any of the country's problems. It was, as he later recalled it, worth a bucket of warm piss. Johnson missed his glory days during the War of 1812 where he personally killed Tecumseh, and often wished he stayed as a congressman instead of accepting Van Buren's offer. He quietly looked forward to when the damn elections came so that he could retire in Kentucky so that he could run the family tavern. As Johnson was musing over his future, Speaker James Polk burst into his office in a disorganized and sweaty appearance as if he had practically ran from his Georgia home just to get here.
"James, what's gotten into you?"
"The... President.. Martin, he's dead. Got shot by some fucking lunatic from Carolina just a hour ago."
Johnson could not believe it. The man who he had been serving with for the past year, and had just had a conversation with a few hours ago was gone. The president, leader of the free world, was no more. "What, what the hell does this mean? Who's going to become the President?"
"We gotta act fast Dick, if we sit on the sidelines with our hands in our pockets while this shitstorm goes down, the the Whigs will get the White House from us. This means Dick, that YOU must assume the Presidency."
9th President of the United States, Richard Mentor Johnson.
"I could've done... so... much."- Last words of President Martin Van Buren 1838
"Who the hell is Richard Mentor Johnson?"- President Andrew Jackson 1836
"Your damn obsession with the bank is going to lead this country to ruin."- Henry Clay 1833
To say that Martin Van Buren is one of the unluckiest presidents in American History is quite the understatement. Coming into office in 1837, Van Buren lead the country in the aftermath of a highly popular (yet controversial) two terms under Jackson. Overall the economy was doing great, Texas had won its independence from Mexico, Michigan was about to enter the union; what could possibly go wrong? Apparently for the unfortunate 8th president, everything. Only five weeks into his term, the United States entered into a extreme depression when the New York banks suspended specie payments (refusing redemption of commercial paper) on May 10th, causing a immense panic throughout the country which lead to multiple withdrawals from state banks and foreclosures of many within the west. The so called panic of 1837, was so severe that a depression lasted in the United States for the next 7 years and unemployment was so high that in some areas it was 25%. The causes for the panic are rather numerous but can be traced to land speculation in the west, decreasing cotton prices, a collapsed land bubble, and international specie movements. Though one primary factor that numerous historians agree upon is the closing of the Second National Bank. Andrew Jackson was a rather paranoid man who believed that the bank was a large venue for corruption and monopolization of the economy by the wealthy class. Using his presidential veto, Jackson refused to renew the banks charter past its expiration date. Unfortunately, the Whigs were never able to rally enough support in congress and the bank closed in 1836. Once the national bank closed, spending and loan powers were transferred to state banks, who often gave out loans in large amounts of paper money without backing of gold or silver, which lead to an increased inflation. This along with the land speculation in the west caused the effects of the depression to stay for several years instead of being handled within a few. Even though Van Buren never had any direct role to play in the closing of the national bank, many members of the Whig party blamed incorrectly blamed him as the cause of the Panic and issued propaganda of him acting as Jackson's "pawn" to ruin the economy, giving him the unfortunate nickname of "Martin Van Ruin". Due to large infighting among the Democratic party, as well as staunch opposition by the Whigs, Van Buren was unable to find any sort of comprehensive solution while the nation slid further into economic ruin.
A political ad in 1837 showing a family of Jackson supporters wondering why they can't find work, while portraits of Jackson and Van Buren hang in the background.
Van Buren's poor domestic situation unfortunately (or fortunately if your a patriotic Texan) lead to the cancellation of any plans within the United States to annex the new Republic of Texas. This movement was going to receive many difficulties in the first place, as Van Buren being a northerner, was against any admittance of a slave state into the Union in order to preserve the slave/free state balance. While Van Buren was all for supporting Texas independence, he did not want slavery to grow to the pacific under any circumstances. Additionally, even if Van Buren was a strong supporter of Texan annexation, the motion would have come under heavy opposition from Northern Democrats and the Whig party, both of who saw Texas as a wild and lawless land which would only give power to the south in the long run. The Panic only served to increase Whig power and they were expected to gain a majority in the '38 midterm elections, preventing any treaty for annexation from passing the senate. Finally in scenario where annexation did occur, it would take millions of dollars to incorporate the new territory into the nation due to the need to assume Texas's debt as well as setting up the national infrastructure, with a high depression going on it would be impossible for the United States to assume this extra economic burden. So, to the upset of Houston, Texas would remain independent for the indefinate future.
If fate had smiled kindly on Martin Van Buren, then he would've served the rest of his term fixing the economy and quietly retire in 1841 or 1845. What Van Buren would've done is something that many people can only speculate as his life would end in 1838 due to the actions of one man, Edward Booth. Booth was a cotton plantation owner from South Carolina who was a firm supporter of Calhoun's nullification faction. He was already ill content at Jackson for what he perceived as the upmost violation of state's rights for the nullification crisis in 1832. He would soon develop a hatred for Van Buren after losing much of his fortune from the Panic due to the collapse of the cotton market as well as money lost in speculation schemes in Missouri. Forced to sell his slaves and plantation, Booth was a ruined man. For him there was only one man to blame for his troubles, thus Booth traveled to Washington D.C with a pistol in his luggage with a plan for blood. On April 15th, 1838, Martin Van Buren was enjoying a play in an outdoor theater on the outskirts of D.C. Bribing the stage crew with the last of his money, Booth snuck up on stage on shot the president in his reserved theater box, shouting "DEATH TO THE TYRANT!". The crowd as well as the actors rushed onto booth while the presidents aides struggled to get Van Buren to a hospital, by the time they got there it was too late. Martin Van Buren was no longer of this world.
President Martin Van Buren (1782-1838)
April 15th, 1838. 8:30 P.M, The White House
Vice-President Richard Mentor Johnson was currently enjoying a meal within his office of the West Wing. In the past year Johnson had found much boredom and depression within the capitol. When he was offered the chance to be on the Democratic ticket with Van Buren, Johnson jumped at the opportunity to become center stage in national politics and quickly agreed. Unfortunately as he would find out in his first year, the office of Vice-President was merely a bureaucratic dead weight with very little power and him mostly standing in for ceremony. No one took Johnson seriously and Van Buren gave him little to do within the government. Thankfully though, with the ongoing depression, no one pointed fingers at the Vice-President for any of the country's problems. It was, as he later recalled it, worth a bucket of warm piss. Johnson missed his glory days during the War of 1812 where he personally killed Tecumseh, and often wished he stayed as a congressman instead of accepting Van Buren's offer. He quietly looked forward to when the damn elections came so that he could retire in Kentucky so that he could run the family tavern. As Johnson was musing over his future, Speaker James Polk burst into his office in a disorganized and sweaty appearance as if he had practically ran from his Georgia home just to get here.
"James, what's gotten into you?"
"The... President.. Martin, he's dead. Got shot by some fucking lunatic from Carolina just a hour ago."
Johnson could not believe it. The man who he had been serving with for the past year, and had just had a conversation with a few hours ago was gone. The president, leader of the free world, was no more. "What, what the hell does this mean? Who's going to become the President?"
"We gotta act fast Dick, if we sit on the sidelines with our hands in our pockets while this shitstorm goes down, the the Whigs will get the White House from us. This means Dick, that YOU must assume the Presidency."
9th President of the United States, Richard Mentor Johnson.
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She's not really going to be a thing in my TL. Even with my liberal use of butterflies it just isn't probable anyways. Why are you asking?
Identity Theft
A/N: Well here's my first Texasball strip. Let me know your thoughts and send requests if you want. Tomorrow I'll post the first part of the Central American Chronicles. Thanks for reading and all input is welcome. Long Live the Republic!
A/N: Well here's my first Texasball strip. Let me know your thoughts and send requests if you want. Tomorrow I'll post the first part of the Central American Chronicles. Thanks for reading and all input is welcome. Long Live the Republic!
The man who took time off as Vice President to open a bar is now the President. I'm not sure how this will play out, but it is a heck of a change from OTL.
Sorry but i've been busy with personal events and hit a bit of a writer's block. Good thing is though that i started planning for the long term and got a rough outline of everything that is going to happen until 2000. Let me say that the Great War is going to be really FUN. Here is a list of future chapters, will post next one later today or tomorrow:
Chapter 19 Disunited States of Central America. Chapter 20 Early Foreign Relations of the Republic. Chapter 21 The Guatemala War. Chapter 22 Indians in the Republic. Chapter 23 1838 in Texas. Chapter 24 Houston's Second Term. Chapter 25 The President no one wanted.
Chapter 19 Disunited States of Central America
Chapter 19 Disunited States of Central America
"One People, One Nation!- Rallying Cry of Pan-Mayan Movement 1838
"Do those people really believe they can last on their own as a country?"- Emperor Augustin de Iturbide 1822
"Well at least the world now knows there is only one United States."- President Richard Mentor Johnson 1838
One of the greatest tragedies of Latin America is its virtual self destruction in the post-colonial period. Originally under Spanish rule there were 4 separate main colonies throughout the America that had provided Europe for years with gold, raw materials, sugar, wood, and tons of other products. Since the Napoleonic Wars, all but Cuba have been successful at kicking out their Iberian masters. This came at an heavy price though as what was originally envisioned by Miranda to be one united region that would become the eye of the world, quickly devolved into anarchy, civil warfare, ideological conflict, ethnic strife, and a load of other problems that would not be solved until the dawn of the next century. With Mexico being the latest case of latinization (balkanization), many thought that the region would once more return to a time of peace, they would be proven wrong when in 1838, Central America would erupt into large scale regional warfare over sovereignty. You see since 1823 the Central American region of New Spain had broken off to form their own country after the collapse of the short lived Mexican Empire. This region would come to form the Federal Republic of Central America, or as its known by its more popular name, The United States of Central America. The USCA was founded by Central American liberals who had placed high hopes for the nation becoming a bastion of democracy in Latin America that would become a regional power due to its strong trade ties to the Pacific. Indeed as shown in the alternate history novel "The US of CA" written by popular author Henry Garrett, had the USCA survived then it could have taken place of Yucatan to become one of the leading states of the Western hemisphere. Sadly this was not meant to be as the nation was full of internal rebellions every year as multiple revolutionaries sought to defy federal rule and establish their own nations. The penultimate event that may have accelerated the process of the USCA's collapse may be attributed to the Mexican Civil War, as the virtual collapse of one of the West's most powerful nations and the independence of 3 new nations (including the fillibuster-esque Rio Grande), encouraged the rebels to accelerate their efforts and fight to gain freedom from Guatemala. The battles reminiscent of this time were in many ways different from those of the Mexican Civil War, this type of warfare was often dominated by guerilla campaigns where local militias and federal forces would exchange fire for a few hours, then retreat and declare victory based on attrition. The collapse of the nation was finalized when on April 30th, 1838, the nation of Nicaragua declared its independence. This would later be followed by Costa Rica and Honduras, and the federal congress would meet on May 31st to officially declare that the people of Central America were free to choose their own nations. The USCA was no more. These nations would soon be joined by El Salvador and Los Altos, with the remainder of the nation forming the country of Guatemala. This would've been the end of our chapter as the region would've possibly collapsed into instability and infighting for the next several decades, were it not for the actions of an ambitious Yucatan and the Mayan people.
Flag of USCA and map of new nations in dissolution
In the aftermath of the Mexican Civil War, Yucatan had been doing pretty good so far. While it had been invaded during the war, the infrastructure was left mostly intact and the gains of Tabasco and Chiapas more than made up for any losses. Trade had been established within the Gulf, farmers were having good harvests, strong ties were being established with Texas and France, everything was good. One main issue though remained in the Yucatan from gaining true peace, the Mayan Question. During the revolution, the Mayans had played a pivotal role by supplying thousands of troops as well as rallying support with their native brethren in the conquered territories to drive out the Mexican armies. Due to this, the Mayan people had expected to gain a right as equals within the Republic with some extremists wanting their people to take control of the country. While President Barbachano was sympathetic to their cause, he could not risks openly defying Conservatives and oust him from power. So Barbachano made several compromises between both groups where the Mayans would gain equal rights as well as property, but there would be no land restructuring in favor of the natives and the Creole culture would still be dominant with Spanish being enforced as the premier language and Catholicism imposed over native paganism. While this agreement satisfied many, there will still several powerful groups on both sides who called for total victory in their goals. In order to appease both sides and strengthen the nation. Barbachano rallied the people of the Yucatan towards one goal that would satisfy nationalists desires in both parties as well as launch the Yucatan into the realm of great nations, the Yucatan would conquer northern Central America.
While this desire would seem outright aggressive to several neutral observers, the local conditions proved that the casus belli was more than justified as the northern halve of the USCA had in the last two years experienced a new movement within its borders that was different from the Creole independence movements, the Pan-Mayan movement. Similar to the Italian and German nationalists that would appear in the next decade, the Pan-Mayans were a group of people within Central America who wanted to cast off the chains of oppression from their creole masters and live together as one nation. While this idea was a pipe dream in many natives in the colonial and early independence years, the Yucatan revolution proved their dreams could become reality as a new nation formed that had an equal division of Creoles and Mayans and had successfully "liberated" their brethren from Mexico City. Thus, overnight new native rebellions would spring up overnight calling not for complete independence, but for unification with the Republic of the Yucatan. These movements would largely be unorganized until the emergence of Dr. Diego Cortes, a Mayan mestizo intellectual who wrote "Our History (1836)", a largely comprehensive book that detailed Mayan culture and traditions and similar to Paine's Common sense, called for the complete independence of the Mayans in order for their people to live in peace with their unalienable rights. When literate Native priests read the book at villages, the movement was spread even further and in 1837 Dr. Cortes would be chosen to lead the People's Unification Army. Even after the breakup of the USCA, or maybe because of it, the movements numbers only grew as support in firearms and volunteers arrived from the Yucatan (with French aid) in droves. Yucatan statesman Andres Quitana Roo, was sent to meet with Cortes in June of 1838 where they discussed the next course of action. Roo proclaimed that Cortes's cause had the backing of Barbachano and the Yucatan congress and that all that was needed was for a decisive revolt to commence so that the Yucatan would march in to "liberate" the entirety of the Mayan region, which would include Guatemala, parts of Honduras, and El Salvador. Aid was also being promised from the French in terms of material arms while negotiations were present with Texas in order to secure the support of the Texan Navy as well as the possibility of volunteer regiments. With support from his soon to be home country secure, Cortes formed a plan for a large revolution with his native cells, and on July 2nd, revolts suddenly sprung up all across Guatemala, El Belize, Los Altosand Honduras, with Mayan militias attacking local barracks and national capitols with newly procured French rifles. On July 4th on the 2 year anniversary of Yucatan independence, the Yucatan Congress declared war on the Republics of Los Altos, El Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Guatemala War and the beginning of Yucatan power had officially begun.
"Rise to Power" depicting the Mayan rebellion, Mayan Mesoamerica, Doctor Diego Cortes
"One People, One Nation!- Rallying Cry of Pan-Mayan Movement 1838
"Do those people really believe they can last on their own as a country?"- Emperor Augustin de Iturbide 1822
"Well at least the world now knows there is only one United States."- President Richard Mentor Johnson 1838
One of the greatest tragedies of Latin America is its virtual self destruction in the post-colonial period. Originally under Spanish rule there were 4 separate main colonies throughout the America that had provided Europe for years with gold, raw materials, sugar, wood, and tons of other products. Since the Napoleonic Wars, all but Cuba have been successful at kicking out their Iberian masters. This came at an heavy price though as what was originally envisioned by Miranda to be one united region that would become the eye of the world, quickly devolved into anarchy, civil warfare, ideological conflict, ethnic strife, and a load of other problems that would not be solved until the dawn of the next century. With Mexico being the latest case of latinization (balkanization), many thought that the region would once more return to a time of peace, they would be proven wrong when in 1838, Central America would erupt into large scale regional warfare over sovereignty. You see since 1823 the Central American region of New Spain had broken off to form their own country after the collapse of the short lived Mexican Empire. This region would come to form the Federal Republic of Central America, or as its known by its more popular name, The United States of Central America. The USCA was founded by Central American liberals who had placed high hopes for the nation becoming a bastion of democracy in Latin America that would become a regional power due to its strong trade ties to the Pacific. Indeed as shown in the alternate history novel "The US of CA" written by popular author Henry Garrett, had the USCA survived then it could have taken place of Yucatan to become one of the leading states of the Western hemisphere. Sadly this was not meant to be as the nation was full of internal rebellions every year as multiple revolutionaries sought to defy federal rule and establish their own nations. The penultimate event that may have accelerated the process of the USCA's collapse may be attributed to the Mexican Civil War, as the virtual collapse of one of the West's most powerful nations and the independence of 3 new nations (including the fillibuster-esque Rio Grande), encouraged the rebels to accelerate their efforts and fight to gain freedom from Guatemala. The battles reminiscent of this time were in many ways different from those of the Mexican Civil War, this type of warfare was often dominated by guerilla campaigns where local militias and federal forces would exchange fire for a few hours, then retreat and declare victory based on attrition. The collapse of the nation was finalized when on April 30th, 1838, the nation of Nicaragua declared its independence. This would later be followed by Costa Rica and Honduras, and the federal congress would meet on May 31st to officially declare that the people of Central America were free to choose their own nations. The USCA was no more. These nations would soon be joined by El Salvador and Los Altos, with the remainder of the nation forming the country of Guatemala. This would've been the end of our chapter as the region would've possibly collapsed into instability and infighting for the next several decades, were it not for the actions of an ambitious Yucatan and the Mayan people.
Flag of USCA and map of new nations in dissolution
In the aftermath of the Mexican Civil War, Yucatan had been doing pretty good so far. While it had been invaded during the war, the infrastructure was left mostly intact and the gains of Tabasco and Chiapas more than made up for any losses. Trade had been established within the Gulf, farmers were having good harvests, strong ties were being established with Texas and France, everything was good. One main issue though remained in the Yucatan from gaining true peace, the Mayan Question. During the revolution, the Mayans had played a pivotal role by supplying thousands of troops as well as rallying support with their native brethren in the conquered territories to drive out the Mexican armies. Due to this, the Mayan people had expected to gain a right as equals within the Republic with some extremists wanting their people to take control of the country. While President Barbachano was sympathetic to their cause, he could not risks openly defying Conservatives and oust him from power. So Barbachano made several compromises between both groups where the Mayans would gain equal rights as well as property, but there would be no land restructuring in favor of the natives and the Creole culture would still be dominant with Spanish being enforced as the premier language and Catholicism imposed over native paganism. While this agreement satisfied many, there will still several powerful groups on both sides who called for total victory in their goals. In order to appease both sides and strengthen the nation. Barbachano rallied the people of the Yucatan towards one goal that would satisfy nationalists desires in both parties as well as launch the Yucatan into the realm of great nations, the Yucatan would conquer northern Central America.
While this desire would seem outright aggressive to several neutral observers, the local conditions proved that the casus belli was more than justified as the northern halve of the USCA had in the last two years experienced a new movement within its borders that was different from the Creole independence movements, the Pan-Mayan movement. Similar to the Italian and German nationalists that would appear in the next decade, the Pan-Mayans were a group of people within Central America who wanted to cast off the chains of oppression from their creole masters and live together as one nation. While this idea was a pipe dream in many natives in the colonial and early independence years, the Yucatan revolution proved their dreams could become reality as a new nation formed that had an equal division of Creoles and Mayans and had successfully "liberated" their brethren from Mexico City. Thus, overnight new native rebellions would spring up overnight calling not for complete independence, but for unification with the Republic of the Yucatan. These movements would largely be unorganized until the emergence of Dr. Diego Cortes, a Mayan mestizo intellectual who wrote "Our History (1836)", a largely comprehensive book that detailed Mayan culture and traditions and similar to Paine's Common sense, called for the complete independence of the Mayans in order for their people to live in peace with their unalienable rights. When literate Native priests read the book at villages, the movement was spread even further and in 1837 Dr. Cortes would be chosen to lead the People's Unification Army. Even after the breakup of the USCA, or maybe because of it, the movements numbers only grew as support in firearms and volunteers arrived from the Yucatan (with French aid) in droves. Yucatan statesman Andres Quitana Roo, was sent to meet with Cortes in June of 1838 where they discussed the next course of action. Roo proclaimed that Cortes's cause had the backing of Barbachano and the Yucatan congress and that all that was needed was for a decisive revolt to commence so that the Yucatan would march in to "liberate" the entirety of the Mayan region, which would include Guatemala, parts of Honduras, and El Salvador. Aid was also being promised from the French in terms of material arms while negotiations were present with Texas in order to secure the support of the Texan Navy as well as the possibility of volunteer regiments. With support from his soon to be home country secure, Cortes formed a plan for a large revolution with his native cells, and on July 2nd, revolts suddenly sprung up all across Guatemala, El Belize, Los Altosand Honduras, with Mayan militias attacking local barracks and national capitols with newly procured French rifles. On July 4th on the 2 year anniversary of Yucatan independence, the Yucatan Congress declared war on the Republics of Los Altos, El Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras. The Guatemala War and the beginning of Yucatan power had officially begun.
"Rise to Power" depicting the Mayan rebellion, Mayan Mesoamerica, Doctor Diego Cortes
Attachments
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I expect many Americans to head to Texas with the economic problems in the United States. Gone to Texas was also used for people one step ahead of the debt collector or the law.
Chapter 20 Early Foreign Relations of the Republic
Chapter 20 Early Foreign Relations of the Republic
"Mark my words, Texas will become one of the greatest nations on Earth."-Secretary of State Stephen F. Austin 1839
Texas-Belgium Relations: Belgium was the second European nation to recognize Texas's independence on July 16th, 1837. The two nations shared a mutual trade relationship where Texas exported agricultural products while Belgium exported iron, tea, and beer. Texas opened up a consulate in Antwerp in 1838 while both nations opened embassies in their respective capitols in 1839.
Texas-Brazil Relations: Diplomatic Relations between the two nations were established when the Empire of Brazil recognized Texas's independence on August 24th, 1837. For Emperor Pedro II, the existence of Texas was a blessing for Brazil. While the new nation itself would not impact the South American empire directly, their independence had effectively destroyed the power of Brazil's largest regional rival, Mexico. In addition the birth of Texas brought a new slave-owning nation to the world, one that would to the hopes of Brazil, balance out the calls for abolition and help in a continued increase of the practice. From Brazil, Texas imported sugar, cocoa, coffee, and slaves. From 1836-1866 Texas imported over 30,000 slaves from Brazil for the slave trade, although many Brazilian slaves considered it to be a blessing to go to Texas as they would escape from the hellish conditions of the Brazilian plantations. Texas mainly exported both cattle and lumber to Brazil. Remains remained cordial for the rest of the century though tensions would start to flare up as Texas increased its influence throughout the Gulf and Latin America.
Texas-France Relations: Much like the United States, Texas had found its independence in the form of direct French support. Unlike America, Texas would continue its alliance with France for decades to come. Thanks to the very lucrative Treaty of Paris, France had found a strong market for its products in Texas while also finding a home for the French people to immigrate to. The troops provided by France would help to secure the frontier of Texas in the future which laid the boundary for further expansion. France would remain as Texas's closes European partner and in return Texas helped to keep France's interests alive and protected within the Western Hemisphere. France would soon become a chief target for the Texan export market where its cattle and cotton market would come to feed and clothe the denizens of Paris. Texas would also enjoy several industrial products and the latest technologies straight from metropolitan France, helping in the formation of Texas's own scientific and industrial sector.Throughout the 19th century Texas and France would become good partners with France coming to defense in the Mexican War and Texas soon becoming a close economic interest to France after the discovery of oil. Though relations waned as France would turn its attention to the rest of continental Europe and Asia, the two nations maintain relatively good standings with each other today similar to France and the United States. Would could perhaps be said to be France's greatest gift to Texas would be its French settlers that would form the hearth of East Texas around Nacogdoches, and its various wine practices which would soon come to dominate California and become a prime competitor for Texan German beer.
La Salle's Expedition to Texas. 1684
Texas-German State(s) Relations: Due to the efforts of Prince Carl and Aldersverien, Texas would in many ways become the unofficial first German colony of the Americas. Due to the disunited nature of the previous Holy Roman Empire, as well as the regions poor history in naval exploration and warfare, Germans had long such held little influence in the new world beyond forming some migrant settlements within the middle colonies of British America. Now the states of the German Confederation found themselves face to face with a friendly agriculture heavy nation in the west that seemed to readily accept and want for the German people. Within a few years of its independence, Texas was able to form lucrative trade agreements with the German Confederation through the Hanseatic States where Texas was able to gain the privilege of a favored nation and send their goods freely to the Baltic and North sea. In the 1850's all of Germany could be found feasting on Texan cattle, wheat products, wearing clothes from Texan cotton, and much more. Numerous Germans from all different states were able to find a home within Texas and soon the lone star Republic became a favorite destination for those wanting to leave the increasingly conflicted industrializes central Europe. From Bavarian, to Prussian, Austrian, Hanoverian, and even Czech, Germans from all walks of life would soon call Texas their home where their descendants would make their mark on the future of the nation. Texas established formal relations with the Hanseatic states while maintaining consulates in Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Cologne.
Texas-Mexico Relations: Despite Texas being the first to secede from Mexico, relations were rather cordial for the first 20 years of Texas's existence. While many in Mexico still remembered the disastrous Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto, the secession of the more populated and important Rio Grande and Yucatan, along with French intervention, caused Texas to become a rather minor slight in comparison. The uneasy peace was helped by the fact that while Texas had taken over half of Mexican land, these lands were filled with Indians and few Mexicans which many in Mexico City felt were unimportant to begin with (a view that would soon change with the '48 California Gold Rush). In addition Texas only shared a border with Sonora which was a virtual desert, causing little conflict between both nations. Many Mexicans would soon come to immigrate to Texas over the decades as the country fell further into poverty and instability, causing the rise and empowerment of the Tejano population as well as Mexican culture staying strong in Texas. These time of peace would soon change as Mexico began to look towards a potential reconquest of its former territories, leading to the Mexican War.
President Rick Perry on a state visit to Mexico. Market Square San Antonio. A symbol of TexMex Tejano Culture.
Texas-Netherlands Relations: In the early years the Netherlands had a similar relation to Texas as Belgium, though they were never close trading wise as the Dutch had a large colonial system in Indonesia to base its raw material needs from. Texas exported cotton and other agricultural products, while the Netherlands exported textiles, chocolate, and beer. The Netherlands recognized Texas's independence on November 9th, 1839, and embassies were set in the two countries in 1840.
Texas-Papal States Relations: The Republic of Texas was recognized by the Papal States on June 4th, 1846, by the newly elected Pope Pius IX. For many years the Vatican had been unsure what course of action to take within Texas as it was not a priority country on the Church's influence, and the Pope had until then tried to make a Catholic stronghold within Mexico. Pius however, saw that relations with Texas were necessary as the nation had a very low population and many immigrants coming over every year. Thus, with an already established Catholic Tejano base as well as numerous missions till standing from Spain's colonization, the conditions were ripe to spread the Catholic faith in the southwest as well as to make the Church a dominant sociopolitical power within the democracy. While Catholicism never became the state religion as it had under the Mexican rule, the Catholic Church is currently the largest religion in Texas with 56.2% of all Texans being reported as Catholic in 2010. In addition Catholics play would important role in politics with the Republican Party basing a large amount of its support around Catholics as well as the the Church being an important leader in the conservative faction of national politics. With permission from the Texan government, the mission system was reestablished throughout the 1840's and would help to bring many Indian tribes to assimilate within the Republic as well as setting up numerous communities and towns within Texas due to the emergence of large Tejano, French, and German settlements being based around the missions. Today Texas is home to the archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Fe.
Pope Anthony, formerly Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston
Texas-Rio Grande Relations: While both nations had established relations in 1837, both Texas and the Rio Grande never had a warm or entirely friendly relationship in the aftermath of the Mexican Civil War. For starters many within both nations still openly contested the borders that were finalized within the treaty. Lamar and the Nationalists openly declared it to be a territory that was rightfully Texas's due to the fact that with Santa Fe within Texas's borders, all areas of the former New Mexican state belonged to Texas. Meanwhile in Satillo, Cardenas was still resentful of Texas forcing the Treaty of Laredo onto the Rio Grande and taking away Texas's claims. However, neither nation could do much of the borders due to France's insistence to keep the lands as they currently are and both sides being unable to produce an effective claim on their territories or produce a large enough army in the wake of war to enforce their claims. Relations would improve slightly in the 1840's with trade in the Southwest Union growing with Texas becoming the second largest nation for the Rio Grande to import from. In addition the New Mexico agreement was signed between both nations in 1840 which allowed free access between the people of both countries. These relations would soon deteriorate in the 1850's with the Rio Grande's increasing instability and growing Mexican Unification movement. causing outlaws and Apache Indians to run rampant among the Texas border. The extent of the alliance between these two sister nations would soon be tested later in the Mexican War.
Rio Grande River Valley
Texas-United Kingdom Relations: Relations between the two nations were tense in the aftermath of Texas's independence. For one, Great Britain had not been pleased that France had gained a new sphere of influence within North America and saw Texas as a French puppet similar to the United States in the aftermath of Saratoga. Additionally, Great Britain was a large supporter of Mexico before the Texas Revolution, and had been hoping to create a large market to be created within the western world. Finally, Texas was a slave nation and the largely pro-abolitionist population of Great Britain were very much divided on the issue of recognizing and forming relations between the two nations. Thankfully due to the continued efforts of Secretary of State Austin, Queen Victoria finally gave her blessing to recognize Texas's independence and it was achieved in 1841. Great Britain would soon come to see many benefits in its trade relation with Texas as it was able to pay prices for cotton that were far cheaper than the market from the United States. Texas was able to export many agricultural products to Great Britain while it received some British industrial goods. However, trade was never close due to France forcing Texas to set up tariffs on British goods in order to keep there trade hegemony in Texas.
Texas-United States Relations: While Texas was in many ways a byproduct of the United States due to the American settlers that arrived with Austin's colony, relations between the two countries would often shift from good to horrible in the early years. Texas's own existence was a problem for the United States as it provided a precedent for southern America to expand slavery and was also a hot vocal point between congress over the state of annexation. The South, led by Polk, continually pushed for Texan annexation as it was America's God given right in Manifest Destiny. While the North and Whigs by Clay, chose to keep Texas as an independent nation. As the years went by most Americans slowly accepted Texan independence and looked towards new methods of expansion to Oregon, though this would be cited as one of many factors that would cause the American Civil War. Still though, trade between the two nations increased over time as the United States received multitudes of beef, lumber, and cotton, while Texas would in return provide a steady steam of income to the northern factories. Indeed the greatest gift that the United States could possibly give Texas was its people. Until the official start of the Civil War in 1861, 400,000 Americans would chose to immigrate to Texas. These fresh arrivals would become the heart of the nation and bring with them their American ideals and southern traditions that would truly make Texas a sister nation to the first independent country in the new world. Today the United States and Texas share one of the longest borders in the world and are close allies that are both active together in ensuring peace in the western hemisphere and the global stage.
Texas President Johnson on a state visit to the White House
Texas-Yucatan Relations: Perhaps the closest nation to Texas besides the United States in the Western hemisphere is the Republic of the Yucatan. In the aftermath of seceding from Mexico, both nations found a common bond with their shared background and unlike the Rio Grande, had little to conflict over. Strong trade ties were soon established as ships could be seen leaving from Galveston to Merida and vice-versa on a daily basis. Through France, the two nations were able to form a strong alliance where one would protect the other in the form of an attack from Mexico or other nearby powers. Through mild levels of migration on both sides, a Yucatan subculture was able to form within the wider Tejano community and Texan customs would also come to shape modern Yucatan culutre. The two nations have come to form a strong bond today and represent one of the closest regional partnerships within the west. One of the greatest examples of the two nations giving aid to one another would be Texas's role in the Guatemala War and the two nations alliance throughout the Mexican War.
Texan Navy in the Guatemala War
"Mark my words, Texas will become one of the greatest nations on Earth."-Secretary of State Stephen F. Austin 1839
Texas-Belgium Relations: Belgium was the second European nation to recognize Texas's independence on July 16th, 1837. The two nations shared a mutual trade relationship where Texas exported agricultural products while Belgium exported iron, tea, and beer. Texas opened up a consulate in Antwerp in 1838 while both nations opened embassies in their respective capitols in 1839.
Texas-Brazil Relations: Diplomatic Relations between the two nations were established when the Empire of Brazil recognized Texas's independence on August 24th, 1837. For Emperor Pedro II, the existence of Texas was a blessing for Brazil. While the new nation itself would not impact the South American empire directly, their independence had effectively destroyed the power of Brazil's largest regional rival, Mexico. In addition the birth of Texas brought a new slave-owning nation to the world, one that would to the hopes of Brazil, balance out the calls for abolition and help in a continued increase of the practice. From Brazil, Texas imported sugar, cocoa, coffee, and slaves. From 1836-1866 Texas imported over 30,000 slaves from Brazil for the slave trade, although many Brazilian slaves considered it to be a blessing to go to Texas as they would escape from the hellish conditions of the Brazilian plantations. Texas mainly exported both cattle and lumber to Brazil. Remains remained cordial for the rest of the century though tensions would start to flare up as Texas increased its influence throughout the Gulf and Latin America.
Texas-France Relations: Much like the United States, Texas had found its independence in the form of direct French support. Unlike America, Texas would continue its alliance with France for decades to come. Thanks to the very lucrative Treaty of Paris, France had found a strong market for its products in Texas while also finding a home for the French people to immigrate to. The troops provided by France would help to secure the frontier of Texas in the future which laid the boundary for further expansion. France would remain as Texas's closes European partner and in return Texas helped to keep France's interests alive and protected within the Western Hemisphere. France would soon become a chief target for the Texan export market where its cattle and cotton market would come to feed and clothe the denizens of Paris. Texas would also enjoy several industrial products and the latest technologies straight from metropolitan France, helping in the formation of Texas's own scientific and industrial sector.Throughout the 19th century Texas and France would become good partners with France coming to defense in the Mexican War and Texas soon becoming a close economic interest to France after the discovery of oil. Though relations waned as France would turn its attention to the rest of continental Europe and Asia, the two nations maintain relatively good standings with each other today similar to France and the United States. Would could perhaps be said to be France's greatest gift to Texas would be its French settlers that would form the hearth of East Texas around Nacogdoches, and its various wine practices which would soon come to dominate California and become a prime competitor for Texan German beer.
La Salle's Expedition to Texas. 1684
Texas-German State(s) Relations: Due to the efforts of Prince Carl and Aldersverien, Texas would in many ways become the unofficial first German colony of the Americas. Due to the disunited nature of the previous Holy Roman Empire, as well as the regions poor history in naval exploration and warfare, Germans had long such held little influence in the new world beyond forming some migrant settlements within the middle colonies of British America. Now the states of the German Confederation found themselves face to face with a friendly agriculture heavy nation in the west that seemed to readily accept and want for the German people. Within a few years of its independence, Texas was able to form lucrative trade agreements with the German Confederation through the Hanseatic States where Texas was able to gain the privilege of a favored nation and send their goods freely to the Baltic and North sea. In the 1850's all of Germany could be found feasting on Texan cattle, wheat products, wearing clothes from Texan cotton, and much more. Numerous Germans from all different states were able to find a home within Texas and soon the lone star Republic became a favorite destination for those wanting to leave the increasingly conflicted industrializes central Europe. From Bavarian, to Prussian, Austrian, Hanoverian, and even Czech, Germans from all walks of life would soon call Texas their home where their descendants would make their mark on the future of the nation. Texas established formal relations with the Hanseatic states while maintaining consulates in Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Cologne.
Texas-Mexico Relations: Despite Texas being the first to secede from Mexico, relations were rather cordial for the first 20 years of Texas's existence. While many in Mexico still remembered the disastrous Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto, the secession of the more populated and important Rio Grande and Yucatan, along with French intervention, caused Texas to become a rather minor slight in comparison. The uneasy peace was helped by the fact that while Texas had taken over half of Mexican land, these lands were filled with Indians and few Mexicans which many in Mexico City felt were unimportant to begin with (a view that would soon change with the '48 California Gold Rush). In addition Texas only shared a border with Sonora which was a virtual desert, causing little conflict between both nations. Many Mexicans would soon come to immigrate to Texas over the decades as the country fell further into poverty and instability, causing the rise and empowerment of the Tejano population as well as Mexican culture staying strong in Texas. These time of peace would soon change as Mexico began to look towards a potential reconquest of its former territories, leading to the Mexican War.
President Rick Perry on a state visit to Mexico. Market Square San Antonio. A symbol of TexMex Tejano Culture.
Texas-Netherlands Relations: In the early years the Netherlands had a similar relation to Texas as Belgium, though they were never close trading wise as the Dutch had a large colonial system in Indonesia to base its raw material needs from. Texas exported cotton and other agricultural products, while the Netherlands exported textiles, chocolate, and beer. The Netherlands recognized Texas's independence on November 9th, 1839, and embassies were set in the two countries in 1840.
Texas-Papal States Relations: The Republic of Texas was recognized by the Papal States on June 4th, 1846, by the newly elected Pope Pius IX. For many years the Vatican had been unsure what course of action to take within Texas as it was not a priority country on the Church's influence, and the Pope had until then tried to make a Catholic stronghold within Mexico. Pius however, saw that relations with Texas were necessary as the nation had a very low population and many immigrants coming over every year. Thus, with an already established Catholic Tejano base as well as numerous missions till standing from Spain's colonization, the conditions were ripe to spread the Catholic faith in the southwest as well as to make the Church a dominant sociopolitical power within the democracy. While Catholicism never became the state religion as it had under the Mexican rule, the Catholic Church is currently the largest religion in Texas with 56.2% of all Texans being reported as Catholic in 2010. In addition Catholics play would important role in politics with the Republican Party basing a large amount of its support around Catholics as well as the the Church being an important leader in the conservative faction of national politics. With permission from the Texan government, the mission system was reestablished throughout the 1840's and would help to bring many Indian tribes to assimilate within the Republic as well as setting up numerous communities and towns within Texas due to the emergence of large Tejano, French, and German settlements being based around the missions. Today Texas is home to the archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, San Antonio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Santa Fe.
Pope Anthony, formerly Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston
Texas-Rio Grande Relations: While both nations had established relations in 1837, both Texas and the Rio Grande never had a warm or entirely friendly relationship in the aftermath of the Mexican Civil War. For starters many within both nations still openly contested the borders that were finalized within the treaty. Lamar and the Nationalists openly declared it to be a territory that was rightfully Texas's due to the fact that with Santa Fe within Texas's borders, all areas of the former New Mexican state belonged to Texas. Meanwhile in Satillo, Cardenas was still resentful of Texas forcing the Treaty of Laredo onto the Rio Grande and taking away Texas's claims. However, neither nation could do much of the borders due to France's insistence to keep the lands as they currently are and both sides being unable to produce an effective claim on their territories or produce a large enough army in the wake of war to enforce their claims. Relations would improve slightly in the 1840's with trade in the Southwest Union growing with Texas becoming the second largest nation for the Rio Grande to import from. In addition the New Mexico agreement was signed between both nations in 1840 which allowed free access between the people of both countries. These relations would soon deteriorate in the 1850's with the Rio Grande's increasing instability and growing Mexican Unification movement. causing outlaws and Apache Indians to run rampant among the Texas border. The extent of the alliance between these two sister nations would soon be tested later in the Mexican War.
Rio Grande River Valley
Texas-United Kingdom Relations: Relations between the two nations were tense in the aftermath of Texas's independence. For one, Great Britain had not been pleased that France had gained a new sphere of influence within North America and saw Texas as a French puppet similar to the United States in the aftermath of Saratoga. Additionally, Great Britain was a large supporter of Mexico before the Texas Revolution, and had been hoping to create a large market to be created within the western world. Finally, Texas was a slave nation and the largely pro-abolitionist population of Great Britain were very much divided on the issue of recognizing and forming relations between the two nations. Thankfully due to the continued efforts of Secretary of State Austin, Queen Victoria finally gave her blessing to recognize Texas's independence and it was achieved in 1841. Great Britain would soon come to see many benefits in its trade relation with Texas as it was able to pay prices for cotton that were far cheaper than the market from the United States. Texas was able to export many agricultural products to Great Britain while it received some British industrial goods. However, trade was never close due to France forcing Texas to set up tariffs on British goods in order to keep there trade hegemony in Texas.
Texas-United States Relations: While Texas was in many ways a byproduct of the United States due to the American settlers that arrived with Austin's colony, relations between the two countries would often shift from good to horrible in the early years. Texas's own existence was a problem for the United States as it provided a precedent for southern America to expand slavery and was also a hot vocal point between congress over the state of annexation. The South, led by Polk, continually pushed for Texan annexation as it was America's God given right in Manifest Destiny. While the North and Whigs by Clay, chose to keep Texas as an independent nation. As the years went by most Americans slowly accepted Texan independence and looked towards new methods of expansion to Oregon, though this would be cited as one of many factors that would cause the American Civil War. Still though, trade between the two nations increased over time as the United States received multitudes of beef, lumber, and cotton, while Texas would in return provide a steady steam of income to the northern factories. Indeed the greatest gift that the United States could possibly give Texas was its people. Until the official start of the Civil War in 1861, 400,000 Americans would chose to immigrate to Texas. These fresh arrivals would become the heart of the nation and bring with them their American ideals and southern traditions that would truly make Texas a sister nation to the first independent country in the new world. Today the United States and Texas share one of the longest borders in the world and are close allies that are both active together in ensuring peace in the western hemisphere and the global stage.
Texas President Johnson on a state visit to the White House
Texas-Yucatan Relations: Perhaps the closest nation to Texas besides the United States in the Western hemisphere is the Republic of the Yucatan. In the aftermath of seceding from Mexico, both nations found a common bond with their shared background and unlike the Rio Grande, had little to conflict over. Strong trade ties were soon established as ships could be seen leaving from Galveston to Merida and vice-versa on a daily basis. Through France, the two nations were able to form a strong alliance where one would protect the other in the form of an attack from Mexico or other nearby powers. Through mild levels of migration on both sides, a Yucatan subculture was able to form within the wider Tejano community and Texan customs would also come to shape modern Yucatan culutre. The two nations have come to form a strong bond today and represent one of the closest regional partnerships within the west. One of the greatest examples of the two nations giving aid to one another would be Texas's role in the Guatemala War and the two nations alliance throughout the Mexican War.
Texan Navy in the Guatemala War
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