Transcript The Mexican National Era

The Mexican National
Era
Settlement in Texas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT60g-GlnLs
Failure of Spain
The mission system Spain had used to
colonize Texas had very limited success.
The Native Americans in Texas refused to give up
their lifestyles and adopt the Spanish culture.
Spain then tried to bring in colonists from other
territories, but there was simply too much land.
France Leaves
Napoleon was trying to establish France’s
domination over Europe
He gave up his claims in the New World to
Spain
After years of fighting in Europe, France
wanted its land back only to sell it to the US
(Louisiana Purchase) for $15 million
Spain Worries
While France had been in the New World it
had prevented the movement of Americans
into Spanish controlled land.
After the Louisiana purchase that threat became a
reality.
Spanish citizens in Mexico were also becoming
upset with the Spanish government
Father Hidalgo
Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla – not the same
priest who worked with the Caddo
This Hidalgo was a local parish priest in Mexico
who worked hard to help his people become self
sufficient
After years of being oppressed (treated harshly
and given few freedoms) Hidalgo called for
Mexican independence from Spain
Grito de Dolores
In September of 1810 Father Hidalgo gathered
his parishioners and gave a speech that ignited
the Mexican fight for independence
Hidalgo was captured by the Spanish army in 1811
and sent to Mexico City where he was executed.
His efforts were not in vain – the Mexican people
continued to fight and won their independence in
1821
Mexican Fight for
Independence
After the death of Father Hidalgo many others
took up his cause
Jose Bernardo Gutierrez and Augustus Magee
organized the Republic of the North and
declared Texas independent of Spain
Although they were quickly defeated their efforts
encouraged others to fight to free Mexico and
Texas from Spain
Mexican Fight for
Independence
After the failed Gutierrez-Magee Expedition –
Dr. James Long lead a group into Texas from
Mississippi and captured Nacogdoches
The group continued to San Antonio and
proclaimed Texas free and independent from
Spain
The Spanish Army responded swiftly and
defeated the Long expedition
Mexico is Free
After years of revolutionary war Mexico won
its independence in 1821
Now Mexico attempts to settle Texas by allowing
Anglo colonization of the area
Empresarios
Land in the newly formed United States was
expensive
Land in Texas was cheap
The Spanish government wanted the land
settled to establish its claim
The Spanish government agreed to allow
Anglos (from the US) to bring in settlers
Moses Austin
Having gained and lost a fortune in the US –
Moses Austin was hoping to regain his wealth
by bringing settlers from the US into Texas
Moses Austin – with the help from prominent
Spanish citizen, Erasmo Seguin, gained
approval from the Spanish government in 1820
to bring 300 families into Texas.
Stephen F Austin
Before he could fulfill his contract Moses
Austin died
His son, Stephen, agreed to carryout his
fathers dream
He met with the newly formed Mexican
government and gained approval to bring the
300 families to Texas
Stephen F Austin
Austin gathered his families and in 1821 settled
them along the Brazos, Colorado, and San
Bernard Rivers
Each family Austin brought had to
agree to adopt the Catholic faith
Become first Spanish (when Mexico and Texas
belonged to Spain) and then Mexican citizens
Be in good standing with the community (good,
moral character)
Other Empresarios
After the success of Stephen F Austin, others
decided to make their fortune by bringing
Anglo settlers into Mexico
Soon the cheap land became home to
numerous Anglos who had made promises
they were not keeping
Mexico was in danger of losing Texas