Why did President Lamar develop such a harsh policy toward the Indians in Texas?
President Mirabeau B. Lamar, who took office at the end of 1838, had a very different attitude towards Indians than did Sam Houston. Lamar believed that the Indians had no integrity; thus, there was no possibility of peaceful negotiation or co-existence.
What was President Lamar’s policy toward native peoples?
Like most white Texans, Lamar did not accept the idea of coexistence with Indian tribes within Texas. Instead of Sam Houston’s policy of negotiation and conciliation, Lamar proposed to drive the Indians out of the areas of white settlement and to aggressively go after the Comanches.
How was Lamar Indian policy harmful to both American Indians and the Republic?
Lamar’s Indian policy was harmful to both American Indians and the Republic. Mexico refused to recognize the first treaty of Velasco because Santa Anna had signed it while he was a prisoner. Mexican troops were greatly outnumbered by the Texans at the Alamo.
What was Houston’s policy towards the Native Americans?
Houston advocated a policy of fairness and friendship toward the Indians because “natural reason will teach them the utility of our friendship,” he explained in his 1836 presidential inaugural address. He believed Indians, as rational human beings, would find it in their best interests to maintain peace with Texans.
Why did many Texans favor annexation to the US?
At the time the vast majority of the Texian population favored the annexation of the Republic by the United States. His official motivation was to outmaneuver suspected diplomatic efforts by the British government for emancipation of slaves in Texas, which would undermine slavery in the United States.
Why did Lamar oppose Texas annexation to the United States?
During his presidency, Lamar had opposed annexation of Texas by the United States. A few years later, he came to believe that annexation was necessary to prevent Texas from falling into the orbit of Great Britain, and also to protect the institution of slavery, which Lamar strongly supported.