The Lone Star Glows

[Lunar]

I'm going to keep Texas around.  We'll see where this goes.

On March 2, 1836, a delegation at Washington-on-the-Brazos adopts the Texas Declaration of Independence, and thus is born the Republic of Texas.



Santa Anna, dictator of Mexico, gathers the Mexican army and attempts to put down the Texan army.  The Alamo falls on March 10th (OTL 6th).

Then, on March 27th, 300 or more unarmed Texan prisoners are slaughtered at Goliad.  Newspapers in the United States cover this to such a degree that a massive public outcry ocurrs.

As the United States is stirring more and more, Santa Anna knows it needs to put down this rebellion quickly.  At San Jacinto, the Texan army ambushes the weary Mexican army while they are sleeping.  An absolute success for the Texans and Santa Anna is  captured.  Despite overtures from the United States for his life, Santa Anna is hanged in Austin the week after.

As public pressure increased, the United States sends 30,000 "volunteers" along with heavy cavalry and cannons.  Mexico protests.

September 5th, 1836, Samuel Houston is elected President defeating Henry Smiith and Stephen Austin.  He selects Lamar as his vice president.

December 19th, 1836, flushed with military victories, the Texan congress declares its boundaries reaching boundary from El Paso all the way up through Utah and parts of Nevada.

January 1st, 1837, the new Mexican government under General Emelio Martinez agrees to the Texan boundary after the coastal cities all along the East Mexican coastline lie in ruins and American/Texan troops are within sight of Mexico City.  In addition, Mexico is forced to pay Texas reparations



Turmoil over the issue of slavery prevents the United States from seeking annexation of Texas.  As they wait more and more, Texas begins to develop a national identity, especially due to their huge land gains against Mexico.

[ATFFL]

The US would have serious problems with Texas reaching up, far more acceptabel would be the Texans reaching west to take New Mexico.

ALso, Texas military was pretty mediocre, onlt Houston, a truly brilliant leader, got them any wins.  If they had not captured Santa Anna, they would not have won the war.

There is no way they could rally 30,000 soldiers and support them on a campaign deep into Mexico.  They would be hideously outnumbered and the homeland would be undefended and ripe pickings for the Mexicans.

Far more possible is a capture of Santa Anna, a few more skirmish wins and they can get New Mexico, and much of Arizona from the Mexicans, more would upset the US (who had claims in some of the area Texas just annexed.

[Lunar]

Oh well, obviously it won't be 100% historical, otherwise it would occur exactly like history did.   I'll exaggerate a lot I suspect.

The US congress historically empowered Houston to accept 40,000 in volunteers.  With a recruiting effort sponsored by the US government, I see 30,000 as acceptable in an OTL.

Texas did get New Mexico, which I knew would be historical.  But due to the United States military intervention, Mexico is pretty much forced to recognize whatever Texas wants.  The whole area is pretty desolate anyway.

Tensions between the US and Texas will grow over many of those claims that you mentioned.

[ATFFL]

So you are going historical fiction, not hardcore alternate history.  

I just like to know these things up front.  Huge AH fan, and I liek AH style historical fiction as well, just like to know going in what I am going to get.

Accepting that, great start.

(I know I am a hard ass on these things, especially for a new guy around here, but it comes with being a teacher.)

[Lunar]

March 8th, 1937  In response to the increasing number of Indian raids, President Houston orders some officials to make peace with the Camanches, Alabamas, Cherokees, Coushattas, Shawnees and the Navajo.  Surprisingly, the Navajos and the Camanches agreed to the terms, which basically call for a cease of hostilities and increased trade between the tribes and the Texan government.


Despite being a completely different country, Texas has attracted the investment of many New England bankers and investors.  Manufactories are built, capitalizing on Texas's native resources (Iron along the Mexican border, coal desposits in northern Texas, and sheep ranching especially in the Corpus Christie area).  Also, the country has attracted European interest with the publishment of a series of articles in prominent European newspapers.  More than a few wealthy French and Germans have already moved into the country and some speculating and investment has been done from afar.

June 2nd, 1937, President Houston resigns for personal reasons and President Lamar is sworn in.

December 21, 1838, in his message to congress President Lamar spoke against annexation by the U.S. He predicted that Texas could become a great nation extending to the Pacific, and called for far-reaching public programs, as well as legislation to reserve all minerals for government use in order to turn them to the advantage of the nation.  His views are widely approved of by congress, despite some congressmen still hostile to the whole concept.

January 1st, 1839, As part of his domestic program, President Lamar reformed Texas statutes to coordinate Mexican and United States law.

March 1st, 1839, President Lamar advocated the formation of a permanent military force capable of protecting the nation's borders.  The Navy was also expanded later that year, capable of protecting Texan commerce.

October 12th, 1940, In response to the declaration of independence in the Yucatan, President Lamar reccomends to congress that they "protect" the fledgling state from Mexican agression.  Texan volunteers are shipped across the Gulf.  

November 22nd, 1940, after a battle at Campeche where the Mexicans are soundly defeated, Mexico declares war on Texas.  Texas mobilizes.

November 25th, 1940, a treaty was signed with the Yucatan, whereby Texas would accept Yucatan as a protectorate until such time as the threat from Mexico had passed. The Mayans were formed into a unit of irregular fighters under Texan command.

January 3rd, 1941, Monterrey is captured and Mexico realizes that after dealing with other rebellions such as the Rio Grande Republic, it simply lacks the forces to deal with the Texans.  They acknowledge the independence of the Yucatan, which remains under Texan control in accordance with the treaty.  Texas withdraws its forces from northern Mexico.

[Josh/Devilman88]

good story

[KEmperor]

Manufacturies are built?

[7,052,770]

great read
please continue

[Lunar]

Manufacturies are built?

Yes.  Cement, steel etc.  

[KEmperor]

Manufacturies are built?

Yes.  Cement, steel etc.  

I was pointing out the fact that "Manufacturies" isn't a word.  You obviously mean "factories."

[Lunar]

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=manufactories

?

[KEmperor]

My mistake, apparently it is a seldom used synonym for factory.  It still sounds really weird though.

[Lunar]

I hear the word all the time.  Perhaps it's a regional thing.

[M]

If you declare colonial wars on the US and UK, you can seize all their claims in the Northwest and most of Canada. But you have to hurry because they claim Quebec pretty quickly. If you do this, you get a load of prestige, which gives you priority for machine parts on the world market.

[Lunar]

If you declare colonial wars on the US and UK, you can seize all their claims in the Northwest and most of Canada. But you have to hurry because they claim Quebec pretty quickly. If you do this, you get a load of prestige, which gives you priority for machine parts on the world market.

Cute.  I am using a bit of Victoria, yes.  I'm not basing this off the game though, simply using it for historical reference.  It will take a more and more divergent path the farther it goes and history can allow for more variance.

[Lunar]

January 7th, 1842 Gen. Mariano Arista, commanding the Army of the North, announced his intention of invading the "the Department of Texas."  Obviously rescinding the previous recognition of independence.  Thus begins the third Mexican-Texan war. Lamar sends agents to Washington and London to see what aid they can get in the form of volunteers and supplies.

Febuary 13th, 1842, the Mexican army wins a significant victory at San Antonio but takes 2:1 losses.

Febuary 17th, 1842, The USA gives military aid in exchange for some territory concessions over conflicting claims in Northern Texas.  Seeing how there are only isolated forts that are costing the Texan government more than they are bringing in, Lamar hastily agrees.  

Febuary 18th, 1842, The British government declares economic sanctions against Mexico for some small trade concessions.  The British move was mostly for diplomatic positioning.

Febuary 20th, 1842, the Texans counterattack with a larger force mobilized from the countryside and retake San Antonio and capture most of the surprised Mexican soldiers.

March 27th, 1842 American and Texan forces have siezed all of Northwestern Mexico (California) and are advancing steadily southward.  Mayan militia have captured Coastzacoalcos in the south.

June 28th, 1842, In shame for the third time, with nothing left to do, Mexico signs a peacetreaty in Tampico.  The treaty sells Texas some Pacific coastline (California) and has the Yucatan area under Texan control expanded a little.  All for 5 million dollars.