Summary Of On The Border: An Environmental History Of San Antonio

In 1820 the Spanish who controlled Texas granted Moses Austin, Stephen F Austin’s father, permission to bring a number of American settlers to Texas but he died before he was able to. (http://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasure/giants/austin-1823plan-1.html) So Stephen lead the colonization of Texas. He was a settler and was eager and patient. He learned Spanish and

The geography, primarily the distances between settled areas in Texas was a real problem for the colonization of Texas by the Spaniards. The Spanish were well established in Mexico City in the south and in New Mexico to the north. However, the distance from Mexico City and the missions in San Antonio was about 700 miles (Doc A). Also, the distance from San Antonio to Santa Fe, New Mexico was about the same distance of 700 miles (Doc A). These were the two closest developed areas to the new colonies. In those days, travel was primarily by mule train and it would take around two months to travel these distances (Doc A). These vast distances made it difficult for trade and made it expensive to transport needed supplies to the newly settled areas. The expense of transportation between settlements lead to very slow economic development and without a chance to make a living people were just not willing to move to the new settlements. In addition to the distances, the land in the area was characterized by very rough terrain and with very little water (Doc A). Since travel was by animals pulling wagons the availability of fresh water was important in order to water the mules and

The History of Texas Texas history itself had its own amazing story. The small number of American settlers moved to the land of Texas had led to the dramatic war with the Mexicans. The land of Texas was used to be owned by Mexicans. Due to the argument between Texans and Mexicans caused the battle of San Jacinto and Mexican War. In long ago before American settlers moved to Texas, this place was so rich and an abundance of land.

In the 1830’s, Texas fought for their independence from Mexico. This sparked the Mexican revolution. There were three main reasons why Texans wanted independence: Mexico outlawed slavery, high taxes, and the Mexicans wanted everyone to join the Catholic Church. One of the major players in Texas was Stephen Austin. He had 300 land grants which he gave to the Texans. After some time, Stephen Austin went all the way to Mexico to present petitions for a greater self-governing government for Texas. Even though Stephen Austin was known as the father of Texas, the President of Mexico harshly denied his request.

     In times before the confrontation at the Alamo, the Mexican government welcomed settlers into Texas. The motive behind Mexico’s act was to create a buffer zone between Mexican settlements and the Indians. Settlers were able to come to Texas as long as they promised to convert to Catholicism and become Mexican citizens among other

Spain welcomed the settlers for two reasons to provide a buffer against illegal U.S. settlers, who were creating problems in Texas and to help develop the land. They did not expect a revolution at the time. But the colonists moved for land because the land was getting taken everywhere else Texas seemed like a good place to

Every Texan knows the legends of Stephen F. Austin that lead him to become the “Father of Texas.” Few Texas would try to say anyone else deserves this honor even though Texas is not short of larger than life legends. Such names include Lorenzo Zavala, Thomas Rusk, Juan Seguin, William Travis, James Bowie, and Sam Houston. Even “In his eulogy for Austin, Houston called him, "The Father of Texas"” (Areas of Interest). But despite this many would argue that Houston deserves the title.

When President of Mexico, Antonio Lopez Santa Anna, abolished the Constitution of 1824 and turned the government towards centralism; Texians and Tejanos rebel to bring back the Constitution of 1824. However, before they can begin their fight to Goliad and San Antonio, the men need a leader; someone with great fame and popularity in Texas. The man they choose is Stephen F. Austin, who has much renown in the region. Austin has an outstanding knowledge in many areas, whom the people of Texas will always follow. They are always willing to listen to his advice on certain situations and topics. Austin’s history is what makes him the great man that people still believe and love. Today, he is seen as the Father of Texas because his work and dedication lead to its future growth.

In first chapter explains the history of African Americans in Texas and stability of Texas to the slave culture. Discusses the first slaves brought in by Stephen F. Austin and his colonist, where Stephen concluded Texas as a slave country. Even though Austin was not a fan of slavery, Texas was and had

Texas became flooded by adventurous and land hungry North Americans that were unfamiliar with the native Texans' history and

Desert Immigrants: The Mexicans of El Paso 1880-1920 analyzes and discusses the Mexican immigrants to El Paso, Texas. The most western city of the vast state of Texas, a city in the edge of the Chihuahuan desert; a place too far away from many regions of the United States, but as Mario García explains a very important city during the development of the western United States. He begins explaining how El Paso’s proximity to different railroads coming from México and the United States converged there, which allowed El Paso to become an “instant city”, as mining, smelting, and ranching came to region. (García 2)

The Mexican War of 1846-1848 was one of major importance to U.S. history, but has since fallen into annals of obscurity. It was the nation’s first war fought on foreign soil: a war that advocated the concept of “manifest destiny”, the United States God-given right to claim territory for the establishment of a free democratic society (Stevenson 2009). Even though many historians claim the war was forced on Mexico by slaveholders greedy for new territory, President John Polk viewed the war as an opportunity to defend the annexation of Texas, establish the Rio Grande as its border, and to acquire the Mexican territories of California and New Mexico (Stevenson 2009).

Another important section of this chapter was simply called “Texas”. The author provides the context of the Great Plains in 1720 including the French-Spanish rivalry and the corresponding rivalry between the Pawnee and Wichita Indians and the Apache and Pueblo Indians. The Spanish colonies were populated mostly with unarmed missionaries, while the French-controlled regions

While Texas leader Stephen Austin initially had no contempt toward Mexicans, the Anglo-American citizens in the area did. The American Texans of the 1800’s defined Mexicans as “a race alien to everything that Americans held dear” (De Leon 4). This sentiment would serve as the primary catalyst to the Texas secession from Mexico. When Austin began colonizing the area, he envisioned a place in which Anglo-Americans and Tejanos, Mexicans living in Texas, could live together. Eventually, though, the public opinions of North American settlers in the territory and in Washington would make him realize that the goal of unity between the two groups was impossible.

#3 This mission shows human geography as it was relocated from East Texas to the San Antonio area.