1. Mexican National Era
What is the central theme or focus of the Mexican National Era?

2. Primary Antecedents
1810 Hidalgo Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Roman Catholic priest.
The Grito de Dolores ("Cry of Dolores") was uttered from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato in Mexico, on September 16, It is the event that is considered the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence. The "grito" was the proclamation of the Mexican War of Independence…which begins November 16th , 1810 and marks Independence Day in Mexico. Hidalgo’s army numbers up to 90,000.
1811 – Gutierrez-Magee Expedition
Gutierrez de Lara Lobbies in Washington DC for support to free Texas from Spanish rule. Joins with Magee forming Republican Army of the North. Primary intention is to militarily defeat Spanish. Some military success…difference of opinion…Americans want Republic while Mexican prefer appointed leaders. Republican Army destroyed at Battle of Median in Navarro displaced from San Antonio.

3. August 24, 1821 - Treaty of Cordoba
Constitutional Monarchy
1823
New Government formed –
Federalists = power shared with states vs Centralists = strong central control
1824
Mexican Federal Constitution
Blends Coahuila and Texas into…Coahuila y Tejas
3 departments - Bexar, Brazos, Nacogdoches

5. Colonization in the Mexican National Era
1824 Congress of Mexico – New Colonization Laws
States have shared control of colonization
Contract now through Saltillo, the state capital of Coahuila y Tejas
However, some Federal limits
48,000 acres/person
Not on coast / border without permission
Permanent residents of Texas to qualify
1825 State Colonization Law Coahuila y Tejas
Increase Population
Empresario – 23,000 acres / 100 colonists / within 6 years
Morality & Christianity (Catholic)
Land through Empresario or direct…most w/Empresarios

6. Colonization - later in the Mexican National Era
1824 Congress of Mexico Colonization Laws
1825 State Colonization Law Coahuila y Tejas
1830 – Law of April 6th 1830 – Limits Immigration
Concerns that Mexican culture was being overwhelmed by outsiders.
Immigration from US banned
Settlement contracts returned to Federal level control
Colonization contracts with less than 150 people cancelled
Mexican Citizens…free land / transportation / general financial assistance
Taxes no longer reduced
No new slaves into Texas
Tariffs on trade with US

7. Law of April 6th 1830 – Limited Immigration
Before – Mexico is nervous
US twice tried to buy Texas.
Anglo settlers insure they are isolated from Mexican populations.
Slavery Laws are being widely ignored…1929 total ban on slavery
After – Law is essentially ignored.
1836 population
30,000 Anglo-Americans
14,200 Native American Indians
5,000 Blacks
3,470 Hispanics

8. 1836 – Mexican National Era gives way to… the Republic of Texas !