Key Figures and Events in 19th Century Mexican Politics

Zacatecas

A Mexican state known for its silver mines. In 1835, Zacatecas resisted Santa Anna's attempt to replace federalism with centralism, but Santa Anna defeated the rebellion.

Yucatán

A region in southeastern Mexico that temporarily declared itself independent from Mexico because of disagreements with the centralist government.

Catholic Church

The main Christian church in Mexico during the early 1800s. It was a powerful institution that owned land, influenced politics, and played an important role in Mexican society.

Constitution of 1824

Mexico's first federal constitution. It created a federal republic with power divided between the national government and the states.

Federalists

People who supported a federal government where states had significant power and Mexico's government followed the Constitution of 1824.

Centralists

People who supported a strong national government with most political power concentrated in Mexico City rather than in the states.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

A Mexican military and political leader who became president multiple times. He changed from supporting federalism to supporting centralism and played a major role in the Texas Revolution.

Valentín Gómez Farías

A Mexican politician and reformer who supported federalism and wanted to reduce the political and economic power of the Catholic Church and military.

Plan de Cuernavaca

A plan created in 1834 that opposed the reforms of Valentín Gómez Farías. It helped end his reform program and contributed to the return of Santa Anna to power.

Juan Davis Bradburn

A Mexican military commander who was in charge of the Mexican garrison at Anahuac. His enforcement of Mexican laws and customs caused conflict with Anglo-American settlers in Texas.

José Francisco Madero

A Mexican official who helped establish the settlement at Anahuac and served as a local political authority in the area.

Anahuac

A settlement in Texas near Galveston Bay where a Mexican military garrison was established. Conflicts between Mexican authorities and Anglo settlers there helped lead to the Anahuac Disturbances.

William B. Travis

A lawyer and military leader who moved to Texas and became an important figure in the Texas Revolution. He later commanded the Texan forces at the Alamo.

Turtle Bayou Resolutions

A set of statements written by Texas settlers in 1832 explaining that their conflict was with the Mexican government under Santa Anna's centralist policies, not with Mexico itself.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

A Mexican military and political leader who became president of Mexico. He abandoned federalism and supported a centralist government, leading to growing conflict with Texas.

Nacogdoches

A town in East Texas that became an important center of settlement, trade, and political activity during the early Texas independence movement.

Coahuila y Texas

A Mexican state created by combining Coahuila and Texas. Texas was part of this state under the Mexican government before becoming an independent republic.

Land speculation

The practice of buying land in hopes that its value will increase so it can later be sold for a profit. Land speculation was common among settlers and empresarios in Texas.

War Party

A group of Texas settlers who believed that military action or armed resistance was necessary to defend their rights against the Mexican government.

Constitution of 1824

Mexico's federal constitution that gave significant power to the states. Many Texas settlers supported it because they believed it protected local rights.

Convention of 1832

A meeting of Texas settlers held at San Felipe de Austin to discuss their concerns with the Mexican government and request reforms, including greater self-government for Texas.

Convention of 1833

A second meeting of Texas settlers that created a list of requests to the Mexican government, including separate statehood for Texas. Stephen F. Austin took the requests to Mexico City.

Stephen F. Austin

Known as the Father of Texas. He brought the first major group of Anglo-American settlers to Texas and became an important empresario and political leader.