Brian DeLay, ‘Independent Indians and the U.S.-Mexican War’

How does Brian DeLay say Native Americans have been treated in histories of the U.S.-Mexican War?

Native Americans are often forgotten and have been actively written out of history

What did the New Orleans Commercial Bull report about the Comanches in 1845?

A Comanche force of "extraordinary magnitude" was preparing to descend upon the "weakened population" of northern Mexico

When did the New Orleans Commercial Bull report A Comanche force of "extraordinary magnitude" was preparing to descend upon the "weakened population" of northern Mexico?

1845

How did Native American raids help the U.S. opportunity to invade Mexico?

Natives weakened Mexico through loss of people, arms, and funds, making Mexico vulnerable to American invasion

Which tribes dramatically increased raids on northern Mexico in the 1830s?

Comanches, Kiowas, Navajos, and several tribes of Apaches

What was the state of northern Mexico by the time of the U.S. invasion in 1846?

"Exhausted, impoverished, and divided by 15 years of war"

How did Americans view the effect of Indian raids on Mexico?

"Americans watched Indians driving Mexicans backward, and this observation inspired ambitions and tactics for continental expansion"

In which areas were Apaches raiding by the early 1830s?

Apaches raided in Sonora, Chihuahua, southern New Mexico, Coahuila, and Durango

How often did Comanches and Kiowas conduct large raids into Mexico between 1834–1846?

Over 30 large raids below the Rio Grande involved 100 warriors

Of the 30 large raids below the Rio Grande, how mnay involved 500 plus men?

1/3

How many raids between 1834-1846 involved 800-1,000 Native warriors?

4

What happened during Native raids in Tamaulipas in October 1844?

Raiders burned to death 20+ people at Los Moros, killed 46 rescuers, and later killed around 100 residents at Rancho de la Palmita

When were the devastating raids in Tamaulipas?

Oct 1844

How many Mexicans were killed by Native Americans in the 12 years before the U.S.-Mexican War?

At least 2,000 Mexicans, about 5 killed for every 2 captured

How did DeLay describe Native American raiders' focus during attacks?

Sometimes they became so absorbed in killing and destroying that Mexican forces could counterattack and reclaim spoils

How did Native attacks influence American views of their expansion?

Americans saw it as a "race war" between "mongrel degenerates and Indian savages," feeling "manifestly destined" to conquer

What are the three main points of the 'Texas Creation Myth'?

• Texas was a wasteland before American colonisation.

• Mexicans invited Americans to protect against Comanche raids.

• Americans fulfilled this protective role

How much land did Native Americans control by the early 1820s?

Between 1/2 and 3/4 of the continental landmass claimed by colonies and states

How did Senator Edward Hannegan justify taking Mexican territory?

described it as a "wilderness uninhabited, save by bands of roving savages”

Who described Mexico as a "wilderness uninhabited, save by bands of roving savages?

Senator Edward Hannegan