In A Narrow Grave Sparknotes

1.An examination of the presidency of Mirabeau Lamar as indicated in this week's readings reveals that overall, his presence and effect was somewhat deleterious to the productivity of the Republic of Texas. It is also interesting to note the way that his effect on the country was diametrically opposed, in many ways, to that of his political rival, Samuel Houston, who managed to remain a political nuisance to the president by taking up a prominent role in Congress.

The year of 1835-1836 is widely known for the Texas Revolution and Texas's fight for independence from Mexico. Before Anglo Americans of Texas began the transition to become its own separate state, it was long considered an initial goal for emigrants from the South. Anglo Texans who objected against the prohibition of slavery took advantage of Mexico's blind eye through the transition from a vice royalty to a federal, central republic, which later lead to war and ultimately, the declaration of independence of Texas. This paper will focus on the road to independence and how Anglo Texans corrupted the political system in Mexico by continuing to use the slavery system in Texas- despite prohibition, in order to build a foundation for the economy, promote immigration and establish land to begin the separation from Mexico's rule.

Texas has a rich history that stretches as far back as 1824, where Mexico provided land grants to encourage its settlement. Such influences had immeasurable effect on its constitution and culture. Texas has been influenced throughout its history, it applies a separate set of rules to follow in its own constitution. It limits its own legislature and constantly argues against the power of national government, which reflexes Texas’ own unique perspective about its history and culture. Texas’ prevailing traditionalistic political culture has resisted social change through legislation, the argument of state’s rights and culturally.

Texas is a unique place with a colorful history of legendary cowboys and tall tales. The state stretches over the middle section of the southern United States. Texas has experienced shifts in governmental control within the United States. French, Spanish, Mexican, and Confederacy, and all having once been in charge, not to mention the time Texas spent as an independent republic. Texas has had many battles and wars within its borders, resulting in seven different constitutions within a span of fifty years between each document.

The railroad played a key role in the economic development of San Antonio after the Civil War. The railroad encouraged the development of cattle trade and brought tourist to the city. Newspaper accounts inflamed residents, spreading rumors that Mexicans had armed themselves. In August 1894, Blacks attacked Mexicans at Beeville, Texas. Mexicans were brought there to drive down wages of blacks and to create a labor surplus. The federal government encouraged this antagonism by stationing black soldiers in Mexican areas. The history of Texas being known as a state of violence, brought terror toward the Mexicans since they didn’t have the same protection under the law. On the other hand, in South Texas, Mexicans outnumbered the North American, latter controlled politics and the land. Mexicans did not accept North American rules and they hardly felt like liberated people. They called them greasers and denied them the opportunity to acquire property, to exercise political control over their own lives, and to maintain their rights within the society. Mexicans in the country banded together along lines of race and class taking direct action in the response to the political chicanery of foreigners. It was a class struggle against the rich and powerful establishment.

Throughout Texas history, especially in the 1920s, the state had many impediments barring a normal life from anyone who was not anglo-american. From politics to churches to even bars, life was purposely made hard for anyone who was different from this standard of purity or whiteness. However, despite the overwhelming culture of white supremacy in Texas that impeded any opposing cultural differences, there remained pockets of differing ideological backgrounds and attitudes. Consequently, clusters of progressive communities became normal in Texan society, exemplifying the deepening trends of discrimination into Texas history and the lack of control anglos held on the southern portion of Texas.

There exists one book that every scholar references during their studies on Texas secessionism, that is E. W. Winkler’s, edited book, Journal of the Secession Convention of Texas, 1861. Scholar’s mentioned within this paper references portions of this Journal when the information pertains to their subject matter of discussion. On the fiftieth anniversary of the secession of Texas the thirty-second legislature made an appropriation for the Library and Historical Commission to produce a book, containing the “Journal” that “appeared in the newspapers at the time the Convention was in secession.” Winkler’s historical book provides the day-to-day motions and resolutions conducted by convention members of the First Secession Convention that occurred between January 28 and February 4. He continues by adding the follow-on or Adjourned Session that occurred after the returns received by the committee following the February 23, 1861 secession referendum, where the citizens of Texas voted for or against secession – March 2 – 25. Winkler adds Appendixes that includes copies of address or communications made by committee members, legislatures, and the governor to the people of Texas. Also, it includes the reports of the Committee on Public Safety, the list of the delegates, and the certificates of election. Due to the extensive utilization by scholars as reference material, Winkler’s book becomes the foundation for this paper in its discussion on the secession movement in

This shows that the soldiers fighting in the war love Texas and don’t like it when they have to leave. A lot of Texans fighting had the mindset that they would beat the North because they could do it to Mexico. A lot of Texans weren't even fight for the South, they were fighting for Texas. Some didn’t even care if they had slaves they just wanted to fight for Texas with everyone

“You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas” (www.brainyquote.com). Words spoken by the famous American folk hero Davy Crockett. Oddly enough Texas would bring about many “Hellish” debates, and conflicts throughout most of the middle nineteenth century. For Texas the debate about statehood was at hand, and the country was a split about its status as a slave or free state. While at the same time the country wanted to avoid an all-out war with Mexico. Events like the Missouri Compromise and the Mexican Independence from Spain would impact future events leading up to the independence of Texas in 1836. Leaders like Colonels Gregorio Gomez and William Travis who viewed Texas as their peoples land, would act on their ambitions to claim Texas for their respective countries. While back in the states people such as abolitionist Benjamin Lundy and the Charleston Mercury newspaper would voice their opinions of slavery in Texas. Through these events and sources the reader can find evidence about the unique challenges the country faced regarding Texas statehood.

The United States became further united due to the continuous desire and procurement of new territories. In President James Polk’s 1845 Inaugural Address, he shared his opinion of the “danger to [the nation’s] safety and future peace” if Texas remained an independent

One of the most important documents in the history of the state of Texas is the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, whose many functions included the termination of the Mexican-American War, the establishment of the Rio Grande as the official border between the state of Texas and the country of Mexico, as well as granting rights to all Mexican citizens living in the state (Collier et al. 12). However, it is essential to recognize how the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established the core identity of Texas an ethnically and culturally diverse state because of the functions explicitly outlined in within its text, making it the marker of a major turning point in the history of the state (Collier et al. 12). Since its signing on February 2nd, 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo remains in effect and contains several articles which are

In the reading land of open graves by De Leon, discusses the dangers that millions of Mexican and central Americans face when trying to get into the United States undocumented. These people include people who have the dream of living in America and creating a new life where they can support their families. Also for those who have been deported back to Mexico being separated from their families and are in hopes of being reunited with their loved ones. These people face a hard battle ahead of them because they have to travel through the Sonoran desert of Arizona that is one of the largest deserts in North America. And have to deal with not only fighting the harsh desert elements, while only caring as many supplies as they can. They also have to deal with the structural violence that goes under looked that thousands of Mexicans have to face while migrating to the United States.

This was J.D. Tant’s first taste of what the world offered. The years following the War, his parents did what they could to provide for their children. When William Tant returned home, he attempted to retrieve the deeds to some of his property, but it was promptly stolen by a man named Babe Forsythe (20). William proceeded to move his family to South Georgia where he tried his hand at farming, trading, carpentry, and various other odd jobs, but none of these occupations yielded any sustainable income (21). By 1876, however, William Tant had set his sights on a new horizon: Texas. In the fall of that same year, the family packed up the few belongings they possessed and made the journey westward

Political conflict, was a key component in multiple uprisings during the time. Economic motivations, grew to a point where it never reached prior to the Jacksonian era. Social changes, divided a significant amount of people within Texas itself. Cultural differences were notable and existed, but they took on a smaller role compared to politics, economics, and social changes. While cultural differences were present, they were not nearly enough to spark an entire rebellion. The cultural differences made it difficult to easily assimilate, but hardly impossible. The inability to quickly adjust to preceding expected cultural norms was a very unlikely reason for the rebellion. Weber, initially presents a very valid argument of the cultural differences between Anglo Texans and Mexican Texans. However, he makes it clear in his essay that despite the cultural differences, the main fight was between the Mexican Texan and the centralist Mexican government (MPTH, 139). There is more than enough evidence to support that the Texas rebellion would occur inevitably, as the discontent with the Mexican leadership rose. Consequently, it appeared that both cultures were able to coexist exceptionally. It is also leaves a curious question on whether culture assimilation, rather than cultural differences lead to the Texas

There are many reasons why the hearts and eyes of Texans glow when asked about their home state. Texas pride seems an infectious emotion among the population of the southern state. This could stem from any number of things but there is one facet of Texas’ history that warrants a great deal of pride, and that is the Texas Revolution. The event breeds pride partly because no state in the US can boast of individual sovereignty preceding statehood. Although the rebellion occurred before Texas’ annexation, without any aid from an official United States Army, the confrontation will forever be celebrated as a quintessential piece of American history.