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The Colonists Rebel
Why It Matters Now
Texas’s strong Spanish and
Mexican heritage continues to
influence our lives today.
TERMS & NAMES
OBJECTIVES
MAIN IDEA
the Enlightenment, Father
Miguel Hidalgo, liberation,
conspire, Grito de Dolores,
Juan Bautista de las Casas,
José Bernardo Guitiérrez de
Lara, Augustus Magee
1. Analyze the contributions of Father
Miguel Hidalgo during the colonization
of Texas.
2. Explain how Texas’s Spanish and
Mexican heritage is reflected in its
culture.
3. Explain the significance of 1821.
Although Spanish settlements were
growing, the Spanish crown provided
little support. Instead, it imposed
harsh laws and taxes that turned
the people against Spanish rule.
Texans helped fight for Mexico’s
independence from Spain.
The Spanish colonists endured many hardships in an effort to build
new lives for themselves in Texas. Imagine that you are one of these
pioneers. After years of struggle, your small settlement is finally
able to support itself. Unfortunately, the Spanish government is doing
little to help. Instead, it seems more concerned with controlling the
people and collecting taxes. You have heard that the citizens of the
United States and France overthrew their leaders for similar reasons.
However, the Spanish government is still very powerful in Texas. Will
you support efforts to break free from Spain, or do you feel this move
would be too dangerous? Why?
WHAT Would You Do?
Write your response
to Interact with History
in your Texas Notebook.
Colonists Grow Unhappy with Spain
Throughout the 1700s Spain worked to strengthen its hold on Texas
and its other colonies. The small colonies that began with the missions
and presidios slowly grew. Gradually, towns sprang up around the
missions. Ranches and farms developed outside of the towns. By the last
decades of the 1700s, a sense of community began to develop in the
Spanish colonies. The settlers learned to work together to solve their
problems rather than wait for direction from Spain. They often felt that
the king lived too far away to truly understand their needs.
Around the same time, Spain became involved in huge problems in
Europe. Conflicts with England and France took up much of Spain’s
time and proved to be very costly. Soon, Spain had few resources left to
send to the colonies. Instead, it placed heavy taxes on the colonists and
forced them to donate money to pay for European wars. In addition, the
Spanish crown began withdrawing its support of the missions. It also
strictly enforced royal laws that the colonists found unfair.
Handmade statue of Saint Anthony,
for whom San Antonio is named
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The Enlightenment Comes to Mexico
FATHER OF THE
MEXICAN REVOLUTION
Father Hidalgo’s Grito de
Dolores, or Cry of Dolores, is
often referred to as the Grito.
The ideas set forth in this
document had a widespread
effect on the Mexican people
and eventually led to the
Mexican war of independence.
For this reason, Father Hidalgo
is known as the Father of the
Mexican Revolution.
liberation the act of becoming
free
conspire to join in a secret
agreement
Because of his bravery and his compassion for the Mexican people,
Father Miguel Hidalgo earned a loyal
following. ● What is the relationship
between the Enlightenment and Father
Hidalgo’s cry for independence?
By 1800 a feeling of dissatisfaction had spread throughout the
colonies. Many colonists were unhappy with Spanish rule. They wanted
to make their own laws instead of being controlled by the king of Spain.
Meanwhile, in the 1700s a movement called the Enlightenment was
sweeping through Europe and other parts of the world. During the
Enlightenment people tried to apply reason and science to all aspects of
society, including government. The Enlightenment challenged the idea
that kings had a God-given right to rule. Rather, a government should
support the people’s natural rights and interests. If a government failed
to do this, it should be replaced. The success of the American and French
Revolutions reinforced these ideas among the Mexican people.
Father Hidalgo Calls for Independence
One of the Mexicans who strongly believed in the ideals of the
Enlightenment was Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Father Hidalgo
had worked among Mexican farming families for years in the small
village of Dolores, north of Mexico City. He understood their struggles
and hardships and was saddened by Spain’s lack of concern. As long as
the king was in charge, Father Hidalgo said, conditions would never
improve. He called for the liberation of the Mexican people from Spain.
When royal officials learned that Father Hidalgo was conspiring to
overthrow the Spanish government, they decided to arrest him. Alerted
ahead of time, Hidalgo knew he had three choices. He could stay in Dolores
and be arrested, hide out and hope he would not be caught, or begin a
▲
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revolution. He decided on the third course of action. On September 16,
1810, Father Hidalgo gave a speech called the Grito de Dolores, or Cry of
Dolores. In it, he called for Mexican citizens to rise up and fight for
independence. Although his exact words are unknown, those who heard
it remembered his message.
TEXAS VOICES
Mexicans, let us break the bonds of slavery with which we have been bound for
three centuries! The moment of our freedom has arrived; the hour of our liberty
has struck. Let us then unite all those persons who have been born on this
happy soil; let us consider as strangers and as enemies of our rights all persons
who are not Mexicans. Let us establish a congress composed of representatives
of all the cities, towns, and villages of this country. The principal object of that
congress will be to maintain our holy religion and to frame wise and helpful
laws adapted to the circumstances of each community. Our lawmakers will rule
us with the tenderness of parents. They will treat us like brothers; they will
banish poverty; they will check the devastation of the kingdom and the exportation of its money; they will encourage the arts; and they will cause industry
to revive. We shall make free use of the richest productions of our fertile soil;
and, in the course of a few years, the Mexicans will enjoy all the delights which
God has bestowed upon this vast continent.
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Grito de Dolores, 1810
Father Hidalgo’s ideas were supported by many settlers in Texas.
However, in 1811, most likely on his way to meet with his supporters,
Hidalgo was seized by Spanish authorities and executed. Although he
did not live to see Mexican independence from Spain, Father Hidalgo’s
ideas had a great effect on the future of Mexico and Texas.
Hidalgo’s Supporters Rebel Against Spain
In Texas, Father Hidalgo’s supporters took up the struggle. A group
of rebels led by Juan Bautista de las Casas overthrew the Spanish government in San Antonio. They named Las Casas governor and then took
control of La Bahía and Nacogdoches. On January 22, 1811, Las Casas
declared the Mexican state of Texas independent from Spain.
Las Casas’s revolution was short-lived, however. Forces loyal to Spain
rose up against the rebels. On March 2, 1811, the loyalists captured
Las Casas. Fearing for their lives, his supporters fled. In July, Spanish
rule was reestablished in Texas. Las Casas was executed soon
afterward.
ANGEL
OF GOLIAD
DIECISÉIS
DE
SEPTIEMBRE
Today, Mexican Texans continue to honor Father Hidalgo
each year in a celebration
known as Dieciséis de Septiembre, or simply Dieciséis.
The celebration is named
for the date on which Father
Hidalgo called for the defeat
of Spanish rule—September
16, 1810.
Mexican Unrest Continues
Even though the rebellion led by Father Hidalgo and
Las Casas failed, it opened people’s eyes to the possibility
of freedom. Furthermore, Las Casas’s limited success
showed that the Spanish king’s forces could be defeated.
With the right plan and a strong army, the colonists might be
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40°N
Mexico After Independence, 1821
Rio G
ran
de
U N I T E D S TAT E S
Nacogdoches
San Antonio de Béxar
MEXICO
PACIFIC OCEAN
La Bahía
Tropic
Gulf of Mexico
ncer
of Ca
20°N
Mexico
United States
Settlement
0
600 Miles
0
1000 Kilometers
120°W
100°W
80°W
▲ When Mexico later gained independence from Spain, it included most of what is now the southern United States. ● How far east did
Mexico’s claim extend into the present-day United States?
QUINCEAÑERAS
One popular Texas tradition
has been passed down by
Tejanos for generations. When
a Mexican Texan girl turns
15 years old, she often celebrates with a special fifteenthyear ceremony, or quinceañera
(keen•seh•ah•NYEH•rah). The
quinceañera signals the girl’s
passage into womanhood. The
birthday girl, in a fancy white
dress, attends a church service with 14 friends—one for
each year of her life. After the
service, everyone is invited
to a party to
celebrate.
158 ✯ Chapter 7
able to win. These important ideas grew into a powerful movement for
Mexican independence.
Father Hidalgo’s followers continued to fight for independence in
the years following his death. After the priest was killed, José Bernardo
Gutiérrez de Lara left Nuevo Santander and fled to Louisiana, where he
raised an army. Gutiérrez and his army commander, Augustus Magee, a
former U.S. Army officer, marched back to Texas and briefly took control
from Spain before being defeated. Other supporters of independence
fought for control of Mexico.
Meanwhile in Spain, a group of liberals staged a successful revolt. In
1820, they forced the king to make changes that frightened the conservatives in Mexico. The conservatives had opposed independence, but the
revolt in Spain changed their minds. They joined with Father Hidalgo’s
followers to defeat the Spanish forces. On August 24, 1821, a treaty was
signed, making Mexico independent from Spain. Texas became part of
the new Republic of Mexico.
Spanish Influence Lives On
For hundreds of years, Spain was a powerful force in Texas. Spaniards
explored the land, founded missions, built towns, and developed ranches.
Spain also sent colonists from Europe and Mexico to populate the land.
These people’s cultures, beliefs, laws, religions, and customs have had a
major impact on Texas. Even though Spain lost political control of Texas,
Spanish influence has remained strong throughout the state’s history.
One of Spain’s most important contributions to Texas has been the
Spanish language. The names of rivers, cities, landforms, foods, and
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Image not available
for use on CD-ROM.
Please refer to the
image in the textbook.
everyday items are a constant reminder of Texas’s Spanish heritage. Also,
the Spaniards brought cows, horses, sheep, and pigs to the state. They
started the cattle industry, ranching, rodeos, and the wool industry.
Texas also owes its uniqueness to its Mexican roots. The Mexican
people who settled Texas for Spain brought with them many religious
ceremonies, festivals, and traditions that still shape our culture today.
Spanish and Mexican art, architecture, music, and literature can be seen
throughout the state. Together with the Spaniards, the Mexican Texans
have helped give Texas both a rich history and a style all its own.
3
Terms & Names
Organizing Information
Identify:
• Father Miguel
Hidalgo
• liberation
• conspire
Using a spider map like the
one below, list six examples
of Spanish or Mexican
heritage found in modernday Texas.
SPANISH
OR MEXICAN
INFLUENCE IN
TEXAS
ACTIVITY
Culture
What do your answers tell
you about Spanish and
Mexican influence on Texas?
3. What is the significance
of the year 1821?
Critical Thinking
Review your response to
Interact with History in your
Texas Notebook. How do
you think you would have
reacted to Father Hidalgo’s
Grito? Would it have
affected your decision about
breaking free from Spain?
Why or why not?
1. Why do you think Father
Miguel Hidalgo is known
as the Father of the
Mexican Revolution?
2. Describe one Texas celebration, activity, or traditional performance that
has its roots in Spanish or
Mexican culture.
Interact with History
In recognition of Texas’s Spanish heritage, the state legislature named chili the state dish. Research an
authentic chili recipe to share with the class.
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