Mexican Independence from Spain End of Spanish Rule

Latin America in 1830. Note the dates each state won its independence

The government approved Rubi’s recommendations Why? Marqués de Rubí Report These had the best conditions- others were in desperate need of repairs and staffed by soldiers who lived in poverty. 1. Spain should abandon all missions and presidios in Texas except those at La Bahía and San Antonio. 2. San Antonio should then replace Los Adaes (old Spanish capital of Texas) as the capital of Texas 3. The Spanish in East Texas should be moved to San Antonio to strengthen the defenses of the missions and settlement there. The French were no longer a threat to East Texas… 4. The Spanish should befriend the Comanche and use their help in fighting the Apache. 5. Establishment of 15 forts (100 miles apart), from lower California to southern Texas. The government approved Rubi’s recommendations

Reaction to the Rubio Report In 1773, Spanish officials ordered the withdrawal of all people from East Texas Tejano’s (Texas settlers of Spanish descent) did not want to leave their farms, ranches and homes. Spanish officials forced them to move to San Antonio (the new capital of Spanish Texas). Some settlers died from the 3 month journey. They found no good lands around the areas as much of this area had been claimed.

Antonio Gil Ybarbo In 1774, some were given permission to return as long as they did not go above the Trinity River Ybarbo founded Bucareli settlement, the community prospered at first, but Comanche's raids, disease and flooding caused problems Ybarbo decided to move the community in what is now Nacogdoches and as a result a new attitude toward Texas Indians

Changes in the Indian Policies Because the mission system failed in keeping peaceful relations with the Plains Indians, the Spanish decided to try befriending the tribes by trading with them and exchanging gifts (If you can’t beat em…join em) In 1785, a peace treaty was signed between the Comanche Indians and the Spanish. THE TREATY The Comanche Indians agreed to stop attacking Spanish settlements in return for annual gifts The Spanish agreed to provide them with beads, clothes, mirrors and shoes. They even provided guns.

What about the Apaches? After the treaty with the Comanche Indians, the raids by the Apache Indians continued. In 1790, several Native American tribes (including the Comanche's) joined forces with the Spanish Army and was victorious during a war with the Apaches. This loss negatively effected the Apache’s strength in Texas for several years.

Border Disputes with the U.S. In 1783, when the U.S. won the American Revolution, settlers pushed westward toward the Mississippi River As a result of the Louisiana Purchase for 15 million from France, the U.S. doubled in size, but placed the new borders against Spanish Texas. 1806, Zebulon Pike was captured by Spanish troops in New Mexico and accused him of spying. He went home by way of Northern Mexico, eventually writing a book that brought more interest to Texas as he described the abundance of good farm land and cattle.

Border Dispute Solution Disputes between the U.S. over over the Arroyo Hondo (Calcasieu River) and as a result Spain moved troops into East Texas Both agree to neutral area between the Arroyo Hondo and Sabine River

Hidalgo Calls For Independence Mexicans became unhappy with Spanish rule. Spain increased Mexican taxes to help pay for wars in Europe.

Miguel Hidalgo Catholic priest in the town of Dolores began the struggle for Mexico’s independence in 1810 September 16th, 1810: “Cry of Dolores” was his call for revolution rang church bells and shouted, “Long live our Lady of Guadalupe! Death to bad government! Death to the Spaniards!” an army of mestizos & Native Americans rallied behind Hidalgo- his speech began the revolution for the Mexican people

Mexico’s Independence 80,000 people joined the fight, but the army was soon defeated by the Spanish. Hidalgo was captured and executed in 1811 Mexicans continued to fight for independence over the next decade. 1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain. Mexico celebrates September 16th as it’s Independence Day. The president rings a bell in Mexico city and repeats Hidalgo’s “Cry of Dolores.”

Filibusters Filibusters (military adventurers) tried to stir up rebellions in Texas Some filibusters wanted Texas to be free from Spanish rule and become an independent nation Spain believed government agents from the U.S. were responsible.

Phillip Nolan (The horse trader) Nolan was interested in the mustangs that roamed Texas Three times he entered Texas with Spanish approval, but officials believed he was a spy 1800, Nolan and 20 men returned to Texas, but without Spanish approval. Spanish troops tried to arrest Nolan, but he was killed, the rest were captured/imprisoned.

American Double Agent Following the Louisiana Purchase, General James Wilkinson became the appointed governor of Louisiana Territory He renewed relationship with Spanish colonial officials and later document proved his treasonous ventures. Wilkinson was noted to support filibuster agents such as Phillip Nolan and Augusta Magee, while slipping information to Spanish authorities about their plans.

Gutierrez-Magee Expedition Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara, a Hidalgo supporter, went to the United States for money and supplies. Gutierrez recruited soldiers to help in the liberation, or freeing, of Texas.

Republican Army of North Texas In 1812, the Gutierrez-Magee army including Tejanos, Native Americans, and Anglo Americans captured Nacogdoches. The Republican Army gained control of San Antonio. They issued a declaration of independence for Texas.

Disagreements and Defeats The Americans and Mexicans quarreled over the new government for Texas. Americans favored a government with elected officials, like that of the US. Mexicans preferred a government with appointed officials, like that of New Spain. Americans pushed for Texas to either be independent or join the United States.

Disagreements and Defeats The Republican army fought it’s last battle near Medina River. Most of the troops were killed on the battlefield. Others surrendered and were executed. Few survived and made their way back to the United States.

Revolutionaries and Pirates Survivors of the Gutierrez-Magee expedition set a base for operations on Galveston Island. This was an ideal base against the Spanish fleet sailing the Gulf of Mexico. French pirate, Louis Michel Aury, was appointed as commander of Galveston. Aury transported an expedition of rebel troops along the Mexican coast and returned to find Galveston under the control of another pirate Jean Laffite.

Spain Exiles French Colonists French colonists tried to settle on the Trinity River. They built 2 small forts. The Spanish governor in Texas sent troops to remove the colonists. The colony was abandoned in 1818.

James Long Invades Texas James Long objected to the United States surrendering its claim to Texas. Long invaded Texas and captured Nacogdoches. His followers declared Texas was free and an independent republic, and that Long was the president. Later Long was captured and taken to Mexico City where he was killed by a guard.

Fading Revolution Father Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon took control of the revolution after Father Hildago’s execution. Moreno's wanted to break ties with Spain and form a republic in Mexico, but in 1815, he was defeated/executed. His death was a blow to the Revolution, many feared that the stuggle for an independent Mexico was at an end. Vincente Guerrero, Guadalupe Victoria and other revolutionary groups continued to harass the army.

1820 Spanish loyalist did not agree with the new leadership in Spain, as a result joined the revolution. Agustin de Iturbide, switched sides and joined his mostly Mexican recruited army with Guerrero’s rebels In 1821, they defeated the Spanish army, wanting power for himself, he declared himself emperor of Mexico The Mexican people rebelled soon after and would eventually be replaced, but this secured Mexico as a independent nation from Spain.

Wars impact on Texas Many Tejano’s had been killed in the fighting, many were grouped into two settlements, San Antonio and and Goliad (LaBahia) Erasmo Seguin and Jose Antonio Navarro were forced to flee during the Gutierrez-Magee expedition. Seguin had lost all his property as a result. He returned and became the post master and served in local government Nacadoches was desolate and abandoned due to the war in East Texas and Texas economy was in ruins as crops were destroyed and livestock was lost. Cattle industry recovered quickly and a steady trade between the U.S. continued for those enterprising enough to sell cattle