Jacob Ashcraft
24 October 2016
Texas Revolution Was Inevitable
In one of the first major scholarly works on the Texas Revolution, historian Eugene C. Barker in 1928 described the conflict as a “clash of cultures.” Barker maintained that Anglo-Texans and Mexicans had little in common and, as a result, concluded that the rebellion could not have been avoided. Barker is correct in his statement about war being inevitable. Some believe it was because the Anglo colonists wanted overrun Texas and break away to become a part of the United States in the venture westward. Others believed that the Mexican government was to blame for viewing the people of Texas as of little importance. In fact there were a number of factors that led to the revolution.
Probably the greatest cause of the Texas Revolution was Texans refusal to accept the political changes which placed power in the hands of the Mexican national government. Most of the Anglos who moved to Texas came from the South where Jacksonian Democracy was big. (Mexican Political Turmoil, 6:10). They believed that governmental power should be locally and state centered governments which, was closer to the people, was more representative and easily controlled. Many Mexicans felt the same way. Centralists wanted a more central government. Federalist vowed to fight to keep the Constitution of 1824. (Mexican Political Turmoil, 3:05). The reaction of the Plan of Cuernavaca brought about revolt the many parts of Mexico. (3:23). This struggle between Centralist and Federalists lasted for ten years. (4:34). Another factor in the inevitable cause for war was the cultural conflict between the Anglo Americans and the Mexicans. When Mexico accepted the empressario program, they imposed rules that the Anglos would have to assimilate is they were to be accepted into Mexico. Something the Anglos did not do. The Anglos had to agree to become Catholics it was the official religion. (MPTH, p.137). Though, many Anglos would continue to practice their Protestant faith. Slavery was originally permitted but eventually abolished in 1829. (p. 137) . Had it been prohibited from the start, there would have been far less Americans who would have emigrated. When Mexico limited then abolished slavery in Texas, it prompted outrage from Anglo settlers which lead to civil unrest. Slavery was the backbone for many of these southern plantation owners. They would do everything in their power to make sure they kept their slaves after the law abolished it. Anglo Americans also believed they were better than the Mexican people. Though the Mexicans felt they were better than the Anglos as well. This ethnocentrism of these two cultural groups led to each side to expect the worst from one another. They would misread or misinterpret their actions or attitudes and respond in a haughty way. Another factor that led to the Texas Revolution was denial of statehood. There was a problem with Texas being so far from the Mexican capital. Settlers became estranged from their host nation. Even Coahuila was a great distance from them. Texans were able to do whatever they wanted due to the fact that the government could not effectively control the area. Texans sought statehood in order …show more content…
Americans spread out all up and along the eastern coast and were already occupying the Appalachians. Not to mention the new addition of the massive Louisiana Territory purchased from France. By the time Mexico gained its independence, the Americans were already at their doorsteps. Whether it was because they were looking for farmland, or to seek Manifest Destiny, the United States was looking to expand. Because of this many Americans were determined to continue expanding no matter the method. After all it was their “destiny.” The price for the sale of land also encouraged many Americans to migrate to Texas. The United States government offered land at the price of $1.25 an acre as long as it was paid at the time of purchase. With the news of Mexico 's giveaway of large tracts of land to settlers for next to nothing, as long as they are willing to assimilate, Americans believe that offer was too good to refuse. With this many settlers jumped ship and set out to Texas. It was hard for the Mexican people to not think it was a plot by the Americans to steal Texas right from under
24 October 2016
Texas Revolution Was Inevitable
In one of the first major scholarly works on the Texas Revolution, historian Eugene C. Barker in 1928 described the conflict as a “clash of cultures.” Barker maintained that Anglo-Texans and Mexicans had little in common and, as a result, concluded that the rebellion could not have been avoided. Barker is correct in his statement about war being inevitable. Some believe it was because the Anglo colonists wanted overrun Texas and break away to become a part of the United States in the venture westward. Others believed that the Mexican government was to blame for viewing the people of Texas as of little importance. In fact there were a number of factors that led to the revolution.
Probably the greatest cause of the Texas Revolution was Texans refusal to accept the political changes which placed power in the hands of the Mexican national government. Most of the Anglos who moved to Texas came from the South where Jacksonian Democracy was big. (Mexican Political Turmoil, 6:10). They believed that governmental power should be locally and state centered governments which, was closer to the people, was more representative and easily controlled. Many Mexicans felt the same way. Centralists wanted a more central government. Federalist vowed to fight to keep the Constitution of 1824. (Mexican Political Turmoil, 3:05). The reaction of the Plan of Cuernavaca brought about revolt the many parts of Mexico. (3:23). This struggle between Centralist and Federalists lasted for ten years. (4:34). Another factor in the inevitable cause for war was the cultural conflict between the Anglo Americans and the Mexicans. When Mexico accepted the empressario program, they imposed rules that the Anglos would have to assimilate is they were to be accepted into Mexico. Something the Anglos did not do. The Anglos had to agree to become Catholics it was the official religion. (MPTH, p.137). Though, many Anglos would continue to practice their Protestant faith. Slavery was originally permitted but eventually abolished in 1829. (p. 137) . Had it been prohibited from the start, there would have been far less Americans who would have emigrated. When Mexico limited then abolished slavery in Texas, it prompted outrage from Anglo settlers which lead to civil unrest. Slavery was the backbone for many of these southern plantation owners. They would do everything in their power to make sure they kept their slaves after the law abolished it. Anglo Americans also believed they were better than the Mexican people. Though the Mexicans felt they were better than the Anglos as well. This ethnocentrism of these two cultural groups led to each side to expect the worst from one another. They would misread or misinterpret their actions or attitudes and respond in a haughty way. Another factor that led to the Texas Revolution was denial of statehood. There was a problem with Texas being so far from the Mexican capital. Settlers became estranged from their host nation. Even Coahuila was a great distance from them. Texans were able to do whatever they wanted due to the fact that the government could not effectively control the area. Texans sought statehood in order …show more content…
Americans spread out all up and along the eastern coast and were already occupying the Appalachians. Not to mention the new addition of the massive Louisiana Territory purchased from France. By the time Mexico gained its independence, the Americans were already at their doorsteps. Whether it was because they were looking for farmland, or to seek Manifest Destiny, the United States was looking to expand. Because of this many Americans were determined to continue expanding no matter the method. After all it was their “destiny.” The price for the sale of land also encouraged many Americans to migrate to Texas. The United States government offered land at the price of $1.25 an acre as long as it was paid at the time of purchase. With the news of Mexico 's giveaway of large tracts of land to settlers for next to nothing, as long as they are willing to assimilate, Americans believe that offer was too good to refuse. With this many settlers jumped ship and set out to Texas. It was hard for the Mexican people to not think it was a plot by the Americans to steal Texas right from under