Section Two Notes

Unit 5: Mexican National

Spain began to feel more and more threatened by the United States. People known as filibusters, such as Philip Nolan, began entering

Texas. Many were mustang traders, looking to round up wild

horses, while others simply wished to incite revolution within Texas.

After the Louisiana Purchase

Philip Nolan began coming to Texas in 1791 as a mustang trader, and entered three

times with permission. Soon, the Spanish became suspicious of him and thought that he was working as a spy for U.S.

General James Wilkinson. So in the early 1800’s when he entered into Texas with 20 men without permission, the Spanish tried

to arrest him. Nolan resisted arrest and was killed. Whether or not he was actually a spy, this event increased Spain’s fears of

U.S. expansion.

Philip Nolan

Many people had differing opinions about what should happen to Texas. Most were from the

United States, and that influenced their opinions. Differing opinions:1. Some wanted to free Texas from Spain.2. Others wanted to free all of Mexico from

Spanish rule.3. Some filibusters wanted Texas to be part of the

United States.4. A small amount wanted Texas to be its own

country.

Filibuster Hopes

With the U.S. Revolution as an inspiration, many people in Mexico

began to push for independence from Spain. Miguel Hidalgo y Castillo, a priest in Dolores, Mexico, was the first to call for war. “Will you not

defend your religion and your rights as true patriots? Death to bad

government!” He led an army of 50,000 and marched across Mexico. He was executed for these acts of

treason.

The Cry of Dolores

After Father Hidalgo’s death, other people led the fight for Mexican

Independence. Men like Augustus William Magee, a U.S. citizen, and Jose Gutiérrez de Lara, a Spanish citizen, wanted to continue Father Hidalg0’s rebellion against Spanish rule by invading Texas. They joined

forces to create the Republican Army of the North. They took Nacogdoches

and later the presidio at La Bahía from Spanish forces.

Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition

On April 6, 1813, Gutiérrez de Lara issued a document declaring Texas Independence, but their success did not last long. Many soldiers became unhappy with Gutiérrez and he was

forced from power. Others continued to fight along the Texas coast, helped by United States citizens and unhappy citizens of Spanish Mexico and Texas.

Filibuster Fighting Continues

The Battle of Medina was fought on August 18, 1813 alongthe Medina River south of San Antonio. The RepublicanArmy of the North, led by Gutiérrez and Magee were upagainst the Spanish royal army. The battle was short but

it is known as Texas’ bloodiest military engagementwithin the state borders. The Republican Army lost

miserably, with only 100 of the 1400 soldiers survivingthe battle, while the royalists lost only 55 men.

Regardless of the outcome, the battle is importantbecause it inspired others to participate in the revolution

against Spain.

The Battle of Medina

Not only was Spain having to worry about possible U.S. expansion and a war for

independence, pirates were attacking Spanish ships at this time along the Texas Gulf Coast. Many pirates claimed that they were helping Mexico gain their independence, like French

pirate Jean Lafitte. Lafitte and his men attacked many Spanish ships near Galveston Island in the name of the Revolution, but in

all likelihood, Lafitte was simply interested in capturing Spanish treasure.

Trouble from All Sides

Dr. James Long was probably the most famous filibuster. An American citizen from

Mississippi, Long was unhappy about the Adams-Onís Treaty, and wanted Texas to be either independent or part of the U.S. After fighting Spanish forces throughout Texas, Long declared Texas independent, but was

captured and soon after shot and killed while awaiting trial. This ended the filibuster period in Texas for some many years. His wife, Jane

Long, later settled in Texas on her own.

James Long

While others were fighting to free Texas and failing, others continued to fight for Mexico’s independence from Spain. José

María Morelos y Pavón led this revolution until he was executed. In 1820, Spain began having trouble at home in Europe, and this weakened

their stance in Mexico. Mexico won its independence in 1821 and became a

republic in 1822.

Mexico Wins Independence

Causes and Effects of Mexican Independence

Causes: 1. Large social and

economic divisions between the rich and poor in New Spain

2. Political corruption in Spain

3. Other revolutions as inspiration, such as the American and French Revolutions

4. Father Hidalgo’s Cry of Dolores

Effects:1. Mexico became a

republic2. Many people die during

the revolution and lots of money is lost

3. Political instability in Mexico

4. The new Mexican government attempts to increase the Texas population with immigrants from Europe and the United States

After the Mexicans won their Independence from

Spain

Ranching continued to grow in Texas, though most farmers

were poor and had to withstand many obstacles.

Many had to deal with Native American attacks and uncomfortable living

conditions. Many lived in jacales, small one-room huts

made of sticks and mud.

Life in Texas Under Mexican Rule

The Mexican government decided to keep the mission system in

Texas, but with the goal of secularization. To secularize

means to move from religious to civil control. Instead of being

used to convert Native Americans to Christianity, the missions were either sold or used to house military units.

Mexico Policies in Texas