The Great Plains and Southwest

1
The Great Plains and Southwest

• Chapter 7 (3)

2
Impact of Mexican Independence

• Won after 13 year struggle in 1821 from Spain.
• Begun by Miguel Hidalgo, Iturbide finished it.
• Independence brought greater democracy to all of
  Mexico, including Texas, California, and New
  Mexico.
• Policies often misguided to benefit all of Mexico
  punished some areas, and widened the gap between
  the wealthy and poor.
• A new friendlier relationship (based on trade)
  developed with US.
• American traders took advantage sending goods to
  places like New Mexico, and as a result US had
  strong economic ties to Mexico.

3
Texas Fight for Independence

• American settlers (led by Stephen Austin) began
  to flood into Texas in 1822. By 1830 7,000, by
  1835 30,000 Americans lived there.
• Americans began to demand more political control
  such as right to slavery.
• Santa Annas dictatorship caused Americans to
  increase demands for self-government.
• 1835 Texas War for Independence began, settlers
  forced to defend at the Alamo (lasted 13 days),
  4,000 Mexican soldiers vs. less than 200. More
  than 180 Texans died.
• Following year they declared independence saying
  Remember the Alamo, and Treaty of Velasco
  recognized free Texas.
• Constitution was based on American, and Americans
  continued to move west

4
Texas Independence