Mexico, Water and Zombies

[TX75007]

Originally Posted by texan55

it was more about mexico outlawing slavery and the american settlers not wanting to give up slavery.

The only reason Mexico outlawed slavery in Mexico was because it interfered with the peonage system already in place, which was and still is slavery by another name. The only reason they did the prohibition in Texas was to force the population into peonage. And it was a prohibition not an emancipation. It was a means of forcing control.

Almost all of the primary sources (Texian, Tejano, Indian) and historical figures from the period cite the abuse of the population in Texas as the reason for secession. Very few mention slavery at all. The Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836 does not mention slavery. There were very few slaves in Texas at the time and the economy had yet to become significantly linked to either England or the South. Most people were either ranchers, hunters, or yeoman farmers. The Revolution in Texas was supported by the entire population.

Specific to TX, following the Coup of 1829, Bustamente and then Santa Ana sought to disarm the local militias, making people defenseless before the Commanche. He tried to force them to raise cotton or other crops and imprisoned those who resisted. He seized crops. He garrisoned the cities with soldiers who were criminals and incompetent who stole from, raped, and abused the population. He rescinded the tax agreements and raised tariffs. He also tried to prohibit free exercise of religion. He interfered with travel to and from the Tennessee Valley. In short, he was trying to turn the population into peons.

The final straw was the Seven Laws passed by the Mexican leader Santa Ana in 1935. These laws allowed him to become a dictator. It completely enraged the Mexican population in Mexico, the Texians, Tejanos, and the Cherokee/Apaches in the territory. This following several years of increasing despotism after Bustamente took over in the Coup of December 1829.

Texas tried over a period of four years to work within the system to get changes until they finally reached their breaking point which came when Santa Ana made himself dictator and was able to consolidate control in Mexico and thus march into Texas.

Austin used many Commanche tactics to fend off Santa Ana in the retreat from South Texas.

Santa Ana was a brutal man. The Goliad Massacre of 300+ surrendered Texians, Tejanos, Blacks, and Indians was the low point of the invasion and would have caused US intervention via Andrew Jackson had not Austin won at San Jacinto. Of course, San Jacinto did not settle things.

It was a very interesting period. The triad of Commanche, Texas, and Mexico played off each other. Had disease not crippled the Commanche, Texas would be very different today, especially once the Commanche-Scots assimilation occurred like it did in the Tennessee Valley with the Cherokee. A Commanche-Goodnight culture would have been interesting to see.

Mexican

Comanche

Texas

Charles Goodnight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[austinrebel]

Originally Posted by TX75007

The only reason Mexico outlawed slavery in Mexico was because it interfered with the peonage system already in place, which was and still is slavery by another name. The only reason they did the prohibition in Texas was to force the population into peonage. And it was a prohibition not an emancipation. It was a means of forcing control.

Almost all of the primary sources (Texian, Tejano, Indian) and historical figures from the period cite the abuse of the population in Texas as the reason for secession. Very few mention slavery at all. The Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836 does not mention slavery. There were very few slaves in Texas at the time and the economy had yet to become significantly linked to either England or the South. Most people were either ranchers, hunters, or yeoman farmers. The Revolution in Texas was supported by the entire population.

Specific to TX, following the Coup of 1829, Bustamente and then Santa Ana sought to disarm the local militias, making people defenseless before the Commanche. He tried to force them to raise cotton or other crops and imprisoned those who resisted. He seized crops. He garrisoned the cities with soldiers who were criminals and incompetent who stole from, raped, and abused the population. He rescinded the tax agreements and raised tariffs. He also tried to prohibit free exercise of religion. He interfered with travel to and from the Tennessee Valley. In short, he was trying to turn the population into peons.

The final straw was the Seven Laws passed by the Mexican leader Santa Ana in 1935. These laws allowed him to become a dictator. It completely enraged the Mexican population in Mexico, the Texians, Tejanos, and the Cherokee/Apaches in the territory. This following several years of increasing despotism after Bustamente took over in the Coup of December 1829.

Texas tried over a period of four years to work within the system to get changes until they finally reached their breaking point which came when Santa Ana made himself dictator and was able to consolidate control in Mexico and thus march into Texas.

Austin used many Commanche tactics to fend off Santa Ana in the retreat from South Texas.

Santa Ana was a brutal man. The Goliad Massacre of 300+ surrendered Texians, Tejanos, Blacks, and Indians was the low point of the invasion and would have caused US intervention via Andrew Jackson had not Austin won at San Jacinto. Of course, San Jacinto did not settle things.

It was a very interesting period. The triad of Commanche, Texas, and Mexico played off each other. Had disease not crippled the Commanche, Texas would be very different today, especially once the Commanche-Scots assimilation occurred like it did in the Tennessee Valley with the Cherokee. A Commanche-Goodnight culture would have been interesting to see.

Mexican

Comanche

Texas

Charles Goodnight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You seem very knowledgeable. Is there a book of Texas history that you recommend?

[EF2]

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses. So much good stuff here. I ran outta here with those first responses thinking I'd never return for more smackdowns.

If I do come to Texas, don't worry, I won't waste water. I know drought first-hand and don't take water for granted. (Hence my question).

Texas history is fascinating and very intricate. I'd love to see a book recommendation from TX75007.

And, yes, Zombies are a bit tongue-in-cheek.

[JoninATX]

Originally Posted by EF2

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful responses. So much good stuff here. I ran outta here with those first responses thinking I'd never return for more smackdowns.

If I do come to Texas, don't worry, I won't waste water. I know drought first-hand and don't take water for granted. (Hence my question).

Texas history is fascinating and very intricate. I'd love to see a book recommendation from TX75007.

And, yes, Zombies are a bit tongue-in-cheek.

EF2 come on down, don't worry we don't have zombies, but we do have the drought, and very little if any drug cartels in Austin.