Mexico and Texas

Hispanic North America The Spanish came to Mexico in the 1500’s. Mexico was less important to them than South and Central America – much less gold. Settlement was slow and spare. Most settlement was along the Rio Grande and in California.

California The Spanish established a series of missions and presidios – forts – along the Pacific coast. The Spanish feared the English or Russians would try to claim California. They put much effort into civilizing and Christianizing the Native Americans there.

Mexican Independence In 1808, France invaded Spain, and the Spanish monarchy abdicated. This power vacuum caused Mexican colonial governments to assume leadership, under the Viceroy of Mexico City. An unsuccessful coup was launched, but defeated, and the leaders jailed.

Mexican Independence In 1810, supporters of the coup, with peasants and native Mexicans, were united by Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo. Hidalgo rallied the oppressed classes of Mexico to fight against Spanish rule. After some victories, they were stopped by the Spanish army. Hidalgo was arrested and, after trial by the Spanish Inquisition, executed for treason.

Mexican Independence Until 1821, most of the fighting against Spanish rule was done by small bands of guerrillas. In 1820, the Spanish Constitution of Cadiz was re-instated, causing a rift within the Mexican Spanish ruling class - White Spanish favored Spanish rule, while Creoles favored independence. Creole general Agustin de Iturbide sided with the rebels and, with his leadership, the rebels achieved victory. Mexico emerged as a Catholic monarchy, re-organzing into a republic in 1823.

Texas The Mexican government encouraged California, New Mexico, and Texas to trade with the United States. In 1822, a Virginian named Stephen Austin received permission to start a colony of several families in Texas. Wave after wave of immigrants followed, desiring to establish cotton plantations.

Texas Mexico offered protection and tax breaks to immigrants who would settle Texas. As their numbers grew, the immigrants demanded more political control and guarantees on slavery. They wanted the same rights that they had in America.

Texas In 1833, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna took power in Mexico and made himself dictator. Texans, both American settlers and Mexicans, demanded independence. In October of 1835, the two sides fought, and Texas declared independence.

Texas Sam Houston of Tennessee (a close friend of President Jackson)became the Texans’ general. Santa Anna led an army of thousands into Texas in March of 1836. In San Antonio, a few hundred Texans fought them for 13 days at an old mission, The Alamo. Although defeated, the Texans’ stand at the Alamo would serve as a rallying point for the independence movement.

Texas Santa Anna chased the rebels back towards the American border. An 800-man force led by Houston stopped him in April with a surprise attack. In May, Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign a treaty recognizing Texas’s independence.