Mexico Becomes a Nation

• In 1820, a civil war broke out in Spain. This caused Spain to focus very little on their Mexican territory and people.

• Many people, including Mexicans, clerics, church leaders, and criollos were upset during this time. Many of these groups were immediately ready to give Mexico its independence, however, the criollos were the last to join the fight.

• in 1820, Agustín de Iturbide took command of the revolutionary army and everything changed.

• He laid out a new plan for the territory of Mexico in February 1821.

The End of Spanish Rule

• Iturbide’s Plan de Iguala offered three guarantees for the Mexican people.

• 1. Declared the Mexican people independent from Spain 2. equal rights for mestizos and criollos 3. confirmed as a Catholic nation

• They would also be a constitutional monarchy with elected representatives.

• Texas would also become a part of the new independent Mexico.

Treaty of Córdoba

• Juan O’Donojú was Iturbide's successor.

• Both Iturbide and O'Donju agreed to the terms and signed the Treaty of Cordoba.

• After 300 years of Spanish rule, only three settlements remained- Nacogdoches, San Antonio, and Goliad- San Antonio being the largest.

The Beginning of Mexican Rule

• At the start, there were few settlements, and many of the people lived in poverty.

• Most of the colonists were ranchers and farmers that faced constant danger from the Native Americans.

• The biggest new threat the the Mexican nation was now the United States.

People and Their Work

• Spanish rule left a huge impact on the new Mexican nation. The first language in North America was Spanish and nearly 40% of Texas' population is Hispanic.

• Spanish methods of ranching and farming were adopted in Texas. Vaqueros conducted cattle drives from South Texas to Louisiana.

• The Tejano culture is still very present, even today, in Texas.

Places and Roadways

• There continues to be tons of Spanish influence even today in Texas.

• Examples include: Rio Grande, Guadalupe, Concho, and Sonoran Rivers, Amarillo, El Paso, San Antonio, Llano, Del Rio, and Ganado cities.

• The best known of these roads was El Camino Real, or the Royal Highway. Known later as the Old San Antonio Road, stretched from Nacogdoches to Laredo. These roads were once Native American trading paths.