The Texas Revolution (1835-1836)
The Texas Revolution, considered a “test of Mexico’s patience”, and its annexation to the US in 1845 both led directly to the Mexican-American War. The revolution began in 1835 over discriminatory Mexican policies and lasted until 1836 with a Texan victory.
The Sparks of the Texas Revolution
"Before the Texas Revolution (1835-1836) and before the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), American settlers throughout the Mexican territories had to meet certain criteria to remain in the land: (1) to become a citizen of Mexico, (2) to become Roman Catholics, and (3) to take on a Mexican name. Many American settlers married Mexican women and took on various Mexican customs. However, they always felt themselves to be essentially American, and always wanted Texas to be autonomous from the centralized authority of the Mexican government. American settlers in Texas wanted a fully independent Texas Republic—a country in its own right. Basically, American Texans felt American; resented Mexican centralized rule; and wanted complete political separation and self-rule. Also, many of the Americans that traveled to Texas were naturally independent spirited and adventurous." - Professor Richard A. Garcia, CSU East Bay
Battles of the Texas Revolution
“To reassert its authority over Texas, the Mexican government reaffirmed its Constitutional prohibition against slavery, established a chain of military posts occupied by convict soldiers, restricted trade with the United States, and decreed an end to further American immigration. These actions might have provoked Texans to revolution.” - Digital History
Texas Annexation (1845)
The main cause of the Mexican-American War were land disputes between the Americans and Mexicans, one of them being the annexation of Texas by the U.S. When American settlers were moving westward and becoming increasingly familiar with the region in the west, the United States decided to annex the Republic of Texas as their newest state after pleas for annexation from Texas. However, they faced resistance from the Mexicans who believed the land was rightfully theirs and how they were in violation of the Border Treaty of 1828.
Outcome of the Texas Revolution
"Throughout the period 1821-1846, Mexican settlers in the Southwest felt distant from Mexico, and were becoming economically independent. The Mexican leadership too among the Mexican settlers in Texas, California, New Mexico, etc. felt they wanted freedom from Mexico—economically, politically, and almost culturally.
By the 1840s, California and New Mexico were slowly beginning to change from their Mexican culture to American ways. American businessmen came into the Southwest. Commercial ties to Americans brought American culture and perspectives to the Mexican settlers. The principals of Capitalism and Liberalism were seeping into their minds.
The Mexican central government, however, did not want Americans coming into California and buying property, becoming liberal political leaders, making close economic ties to American commercial interests, and leading California to an independent state.
In 1842, Mexican authorities, reacting to the growing independence of the Mexican settlers and to American expansion into Mexican territory in the Southwest, sent word to California’s General Vallejo, who lived in Northern California, and to the Rico (‘rich’) leadership in Southern California, saying that unless Americans had passports and proper documentation, they were not to be allowed into California. Mexico’s central government wanted to regulate Americans coming into California, and prevent another Texas Revolution. However, the Mexican leadership in California wanted to bring in more Americans to foment American unrest, so California could follow the path of Texas toward independence." - Professor Richard A. Garcia, CSU East Bay
By the 1840s, California and New Mexico were slowly beginning to change from their Mexican culture to American ways. American businessmen came into the Southwest. Commercial ties to Americans brought American culture and perspectives to the Mexican settlers. The principals of Capitalism and Liberalism were seeping into their minds.
The Mexican central government, however, did not want Americans coming into California and buying property, becoming liberal political leaders, making close economic ties to American commercial interests, and leading California to an independent state.
In 1842, Mexican authorities, reacting to the growing independence of the Mexican settlers and to American expansion into Mexican territory in the Southwest, sent word to California’s General Vallejo, who lived in Northern California, and to the Rico (‘rich’) leadership in Southern California, saying that unless Americans had passports and proper documentation, they were not to be allowed into California. Mexico’s central government wanted to regulate Americans coming into California, and prevent another Texas Revolution. However, the Mexican leadership in California wanted to bring in more Americans to foment American unrest, so California could follow the path of Texas toward independence." - Professor Richard A. Garcia, CSU East Bay
The Texas Revolution was a precursor to the Mexican-American War, but wasn't the only event before the conflict. Mexican settlers in California and the Southwest began a process of "de-Latinization" beginning after Mexican independence in 1821 when American settlers migrated to the sparsely populated region, it led to revolts by American settlers in Texas and eventually, California.