Lecture Notes: Mexican Independence and Texas

Mexican Independence and Northern Frontier

• After gaining independence, Mexico sought to encourage market activity in its northern frontier.
• Mexico opened its borders to American immigrants to help colonize Texas, which was controlled by the Comanche.

American Immigration to Texas

• Americans were attracted by the availability of cheap land.
• Many settlers had no intention of adhering to Mexican laws and culture:
  • Did not want to honor the Mexican Constitution.
  • Had no interest in becoming Mexican citizens.
  • Were not interested in converting to Catholicism or learning Spanish.

Mexico's Response

• Mexico eventually halted its open immigration policy.
• Despite the policy change, Mexico did not allocate resources to establish an effective border patrol.
• Americans continued to settle the land, disregarding the border.

Tensions and Protest

• Settlers, who can be seen as undocumented or illegal aliens, protested against Mexican governance.
• The protest intensified when Mexico's central government abolished slavery.

The Alamo and its Legacy

• Key issues leading to the Alamo included:
  • Land disputes
  • Border conflicts
  • Slavery
  • Territorial control
• Texas declared independence but was not interested in sustaining nationhood.

Texas as a Nation

• The Texas nation existed for nine years, largely supported by the South.
• Texas awaited U.S. annexation, which happened in the 1840s.

Additional Material

• A film clip appreciating the Alamo was mentioned as part of the lecture.

These notes capture the key points about the historical context of Texas's independence, the motivations for American immigration, and the ensuing conflicts over land, borders, and slavery.