Essay on "Texas Identity"
Essay 4 pages (1376 words) Sources: 1+
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Texas IdentityThe Texas Revolution: Remember the Alamo, Remember Santa Anna
Remember the Alamo!" Even people who have never visited Texas have uttered this phrase as a testimony to remembrance -- remembrance of determination, grit, and the quintessential 'Americanness' of those handful of brave men who died during the siege of the Alamo. During the 1950s, little boys all over the nation wore Davy Crockett 'coon caps' mimicking the popular Disney movie of the era that depicted the life of the Alamo hero. Why has Texas captured the popular imagination, despite -- or is it because -- of its curious relationship with America's legacy of slavery and American prejudice against Latino-Americans? And how can Texas be the most American of all states because of its independent attitude, yet also claim a kind of nationhood status apart from the rest of America? Texas has the unique status of being the only state that ever existed, albeit for only a brief period of nine years, as an independent nation recognized by foreign nations, although not by Mexico. It retains some of this national pride even today -- it is the only state to have fought its own war of independence.
Prior to 1824 Texas was a Spanish possession. When Mexico won its independence from Spain, therefore, Texas became part of Mexico. Americans began to settle in Texas beginning in 1821 when Spanish authorities allowed Americans to acquire land in the sparsely settled region. The territories were offered to the largely Protestant American, white settlers with few restrictions and even the enforcement of those restrictions and Mexican laws were lax. This initial American westward migration was not un
download full paper ⤓
However, when Mexico attempted to exercise more control over these territories, the settler's passions began inflamed. Mexico began to limit the numbers of new settlements, and place limits upon territorial acquisitions, which whites saw as a violation of their freedom. Even worse in the view of the settlers, "when Mexico adopted a new centralist constitution" it "abolished slavery, an institution upon which many Texas settlers depended" thus support for secession from Mexico mounted amongst whites. "Despite U.S. neutrality laws, the movement received considerable support from American citizens in the form of money, arms, and volunteers" ("Texas Revolution," Global Security, 2008). America itself was torn between slave states and free states, and pro-slavery Southerners immediately rallied to Texas' aid in the name of what they saw as freedom -- the freedom to own slaves. The fact that Mexico was viewed as being governed by a dictator, Santa Anna, only sharpened America's sympathies to the Texan side.
The parallels between America's still freshly-won independence from the 'tyranny' King George III of Great Britain seemed palpable. And the non-white status of Mexico also intensified the support for Texan independence. America had been forged by wresting control of territories from non-white native peoples, and America was still, in the name of Manifest Destiny, eking out new homesteads in the territories and states out of the West -- often fighting Indians in the process. The acquisition of land out West had become an important source of economic, political, and social power for once-disenfranchised Americans, and even non-Texan frontiersmen and pioneers identified with the Texan's struggles.
The first shots of what would become known the Texas Revolution were heard in Goliad on October 9, 1835 "when local colonists captured the fort and town. On December 20, 1835 the first Declaration of Texas Independence was signed in Goliad and the first flag of Texas Independence was hoisted. By December the small Texas army had captured the important crossroads town of San Antonio de Bexar and seized the garrison known as the Alamo. Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna...recaptured the town on March 6, 1836, after a thirteen-day siege; the Mexican army suffered an estimated 600 casualties.… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Texas Identity" Assignment:
Historians continue to try and explain why Texas' brief struggle for independence at the Alamo in March, 1836, has had such a strong resonance beyond the state. In this essay examine the role which race has played in shaping popular perceptions about Texas. Basically consider the following: why has the region's brief period of ethnic conflict played such an important part in the creation of a distinct Texas identity? How has it contributed to the popular view that the history of Texas is both unique and uniquely "American"? How has the issue of race and racial conflict served to redefine the meaning of the Texas Revolution over time?
How to Reference "Texas Identity" Essay in a Bibliography
“Texas Identity.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2008, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/texas-identity-revolution/185685. Accessed 5 Oct 2024.
Related Essays:
Texas History Sam Houston Term Paper
Texas History "Sam Houston"
Was the "Texas Revolution" a legitimate response to the tensions between residents of Texas and the government of Mexico? Please make an analysis of Sam Houston's… read more
Term Paper 5 pages (1651 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Latin America / Mexico / Caribbean
Personal Identity Research Proposal
Identity Dialogue
Cinemacrates
BOB: Why, Cinemacrates! What are the odds of seeing you walk by? Where have you been this fine afternoon?
CINEMACRATES: I've been at the movies, and I… read more
Research Proposal 5 pages (1444 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Film / Movies / Television
Cultures in Texas the United States Thesis
Cultures in Texas
The United States are practically a hallmark for minorities living together in peace, with people from various races and backgrounds. The majority of people here are caucasian,… read more
Thesis 4 pages (1317 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Family / Dating / Marriage
Cultural Identity Term Paper
Cultural Diversity interviewed a co-worker who describes himself at first as "Hispanic." However, he explained that a "Hispanic" person can come from one of many countries including Mexico but also… read more
Term Paper 4 pages (1099 words) Sources: 0 Topic: African-American / Black Studies
Culture Study Assessment
Pearland High School
Culture study
Pearland High School is a Texas public high school located south of the city of Houston, Texas. It serves parts of the suburb of Pearland… read more
Assessment 6 pages (1627 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning
Sat, Oct 5, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!