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Ironically, Anglo Texans were illegal immigrants in Mexican territory, flaunting their laws outlawing slavery.
But hey -- who wants to get in the way of the narrative.
But hey -- who wants to get in the way of the narrative.
Now -- I am totally here for debates as to how Santa Anna was curtailing the liberty of all Mexicans, so much so that Texas wasn't the only region in revolt. But pretending that the majority of the Anglos weren't in violation of Mexican federal law is laughable.
The Anglo immigration to Texas, and their co-opting of the revolution was entirely tied to Manifest Destiny. The majority of illegal immigrants were Protestant, southern, and white -- bringing with them thousands of enslaved African Americans, fully supported by members of US gov
Hell, John Calhoun in 1848 said plainly that Texas was meant to be added as a slave state: "we have never dreamt of incorporating into our Union any but the Caucasian race--the free white race." He goes on to rail against Mexicans & AmerIndians & argued for TX only as a slave st
Calhoun actual advocated against annexing all of Mexico after the Mexican-American War. Oh, don't let that fool you into thinking he believed in their sovereignty. No, it was on grounds that Mexicans and AmerIndians couldn't be actually free people.
This whole tactic of "send in settlers, get a majority, secede, request admission to the Union" thing didn't die with Texas. Oh no. Instead, it kicked off filibustering -- aka, get your southern friends together, arm yourselves, then run off to overthrow Latin American govts
Not even kidding. This was a massive fad in the 1840s/50s, with expeditions trying to acquire Cuba, Nicaragua, and parts of Mexico.
The central goal was to usurp authority, institute slavery, then become a US state.
Shocker, I know
The central goal was to usurp authority, institute slavery, then become a US state.
Shocker, I know
The most successful was Tennessean William Walker, who was president of Nicaragua for just under a year before being ousted in 1856.
The US recognized him.
When he showed up again in 1860 for take two of the same plan, the government of Honduras straight up executed him.
The US recognized him.
When he showed up again in 1860 for take two of the same plan, the government of Honduras straight up executed him.
If you think that was too harsh, Walker and his followers levelled Granada prior to their escape at the end of the war he had started in Central America -- a war that left thousands dead.
Walker would've tried more expeditions but kept getting arrested by the US Navy. Good on em
Walker would've tried more expeditions but kept getting arrested by the US Navy. Good on em
Walker was just one of a dozen or so prominent and wealthy filibustering Americans - including that idiot Aaron Burr, which should surprise no one. All bent on creating more slave-holding states for the US.
And all in direct violation of the Neutrality Act of 1794 but whatevs
And all in direct violation of the Neutrality Act of 1794 but whatevs
Unsurprisingly, future Confederate officers such as Chatham Roberdeau Wheat (of Wheat's Louisiana Tigers) gained military experience in these ventures. Wheat's served him well until a US bullet ended his treasonous tendencies for good at Gaine's Mills in 1862.
Anyways. This thread got off track a bit. Filibustering ended when the majority of the US began to associate it with just another southern ploy to spread slavery, and the news media stopped portraying them as thrilling adventurers.
