Preview of the Mexican National Period

About

During the Mexican National Period in Texas, Mexico attempted to shore up its control over Texas while confronting numerous challenges, such as a small population of people loyal to Mexico, deep financial debt, and territorial insecurity. Mexico invited American farmers to colonize Texas during this period in hopes of increasing Mexican influence and control over the region.

Introduction

Beginning with the Mexican Independence of 1821, this video explores the challenges that Mexico faced in attempting to secure control over Texas. With very few native Mexicans living in Texas, the Mexican government had to form a plan for populating the region with people who would be loyal to the new Mexican nation.

Content Highlights

• Learn about Mexico’s response to challenges during the 1820s and early 1830s, including the looming threat of a Spanish invasion, financial debt, and territorial security.
• Understand the unique American colonization scheme, which invited Americans to settle in Texas and become Mexican citizens.
• Explore the tensions that surrounded American migrants becoming Mexican citizens, including cotton farmers from the Southern United States bringing slavery into Mexico.

Historical Context

After successfully separating from the Spanish Government and gaining independence, the Mexican government controlled a vast area of land that included Texas. However, Texas was not located near the capital city of Mexico City and did not have many settlers in the area, which made governing the area more difficult and led many Mexican leaders to worry whether they could retain control over Texas.

Challenges and Conflicts

Mexico attempted to secure its hold on Texas by inviting American farmers to settle in Texas and become Mexican citizens. This provided a way for Americans who settled in Texas to attain large quantities of land for very little money, which they could then cultivate with cotton. By the late 1820s and early 1830s, however, many of these Americans came into increasing conflict with the Mexican government.

Educational Significance

This video offers educators an efficient educational resource, providing historical context and encouraging critical thinking about the challenges and dynamics of the Mexican National Period. It is relevant for teaching Texas history, government, and civics.

Conclusion

By the mid-1830s, as the central government in Mexico City made increasing efforts to assert control over Texas, both American settlers and Mexicans living in Texas (Tejanos) increasingly wanted to have their own state government. Mexico City, however, refused, creating even more tensions between the people in Texas and the national government of Mexico.

Short on Time?

Texas during the 1820s was part of the extensive, newly independent country of Mexico. In order to secure the region with settlers, Mexico offered land to Americans who became colonists in Texas and became Mexican citizens. In response, thousands of Americans came to Texas during the 1820s – and while most of them proved loyal citizens, conflicts emerged that prompted political leaders in Mexico City to begin to assert more control over events in Texas, raising tensions between those in Texas and the Mexican government.