Mexican Independence

Bourbon Reforms

  • King Carlos III (since 1759)

    • Initiated reforms across the Spanish Empire

    • Reformed the Presidios (military forts) in Mexico

Bourbon Reforms Overview

  • Jose de Galvez

    • Tasked with inspecting the political structure of Mexico

    • Objectives:

    • Replace Mexican leaders with Spanish

    • Lower taxes to stimulate the economy

    • Implement free trade

  • Marquis de Rubi

    • Investigated the military structure in Mexico

    • Recommendations:

    • Abandon Nacogdoches and relocate to San Antonio

    • Foster amicable relations with Comanche tribes

    • Take a firm stance against Apache tribes

Context: Spanish Distraction

  • Multiple American filibustering efforts during Spanish distractions:

    • Philip Nolan (1801)

    • Louisiana Purchase (1803)

    • Freeman-Custis Expedition (1806)

    • Gutierrez-Magee Expedition (1811)

    • James Long (1819 and 1820)

Mexican Independence Movement

  • Key Factors Leading to Independence:

    • Resentment towards Peninsulares (Spanish-born elites) control

    • Secularization of Texas missions disrupted economic stability

    • Ineffective appeasement strategies towards Indios Barbaros (Indigenous tribes)

  • Miguel Hidalgo y Castilla

    • Led a war against poor governance

    • Captured, defeated, and executed

  • Achieved Independence:

    • Year: 1821

    • Insurgents continued to fight until New Spain (now Mexico) gained independence

Struggle for Control in Mexico Post-Independence

  • Centralists:

    • Advocated for a strong central government situated in Mexico City

  • Federalists:

    • Advocated for a weak central government

    • Favored increased autonomy for local state governments

Mexican Geography

  • Breakdown of regions and states post-independence (Nov 21, 1821 - Sept 30, 1830):

    • Alta California, Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nuevo México, Chihuahua, Coahuila y Tejas, among others

  • Mexico City represented the D.F. (Distrito Federal)

    • States also included Yucatán, Veracruz, Tabasco, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Soconusco

Migration to Texas

  • Year: 1821

    • Land Grant Details:

    • Grant of land to settlers

    • Allowed settlers to keep some land for themselves

    • Goal: 300 families migrated, primarily Catholic

    • Required an Oath of Allegiance to Spain

  • Stephen F. Austin (26 years old)

    • Journeyed to Mexico seeking permission to continue his father's work in colonization

    • Witnessed the coronation of Emperor Augustin I on July 21, 1822

    • Received permission for colonization in March 1823

    • After Iturbide’s government was overthrown (March 19, 1823), sought new permission granted on April 14, 1823

Slavery and the Constitutional Convention

  • Cotton Production Context:

    • 1 Bale: 400-500 pounds

    • Each adult slave worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 9 months

  • Historical Cotton Production Data:

    • 1790: 1,500,000 pounds of cotton produced; 697,747 slaves => 2 lbs of cotton per slave

    • 1793: Introduction of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney changes production dynamics

    • 1790: 1.5 million pounds of cotton

    • 1800: 35 million pounds

    • 1810: 85 million pounds

  • Slavery Efficiency:

    • 1790: 200 slaves needed for one bale

    • 1860: 1 slave could produce 1.5 bales (576 pounds/slave)

Demographics and Population Density

  • Population per square mile (Figures):

    • England: 332.0

    • Ireland: 225.2

    • Belgium: 388.6

    • United States: 7.9

Cotton Production Graphs

  • Cotton production statistics from 1790 to 1860 detailed in various charts indicate exponential growth:

    • 1790: 1,500,000 pounds

    • 1800: 35,000,000 pounds

    • 1810: 85,000,000 pounds

    • 1820: 160,000,000 pounds

    • 1830: 331,000,000 pounds

    • 1840: 834,000,000 pounds

    • 1850: 1,000,000,000 pounds

    • 1860: 2,280,000,000 pounds

Maps of Slave Population in Southern States

  • Visual representation of slave distribution across various southern states, illustrated within the context of historical military and war efforts

Texas Colonization Laws

  • Mexican Constitution of 1824

    • Established a weak central government

    • Provided more autonomy for Texas, resembling the U.S. Constitution

    • Loved by Texans for its provisions

  • Mexican Colonization Law of 1824

    • Allowed states control over immigration

  • State Colonization Law of March 24, 1825

    • Opened the door for Anglo immigration

    • Encouraged Mexican emigration

    • Specifically did NOT prohibit slavery

Population of Texas by 1830

  • Approximately 20,000 people (excluding Indigenous populations) in Texas by 1830, with significant settlement across various locations including:

    • Cameron, Milam, Nacogdoches, San Felipe, and more, indicating a network of towns and territories having developed during this period.