Decline of Missions and ERA of Filibusters Decline

Decline of Missions and ERA of Filibusters

Decline OF THE MISSIONS • French threat disappeared in 1763 • France lost Seven Years War (called French and Indian War in America) • France cedes territory of Louisiana to Spain – did not want it falling into British hands! • French threat to Texas is gone!

Decline OF THE MISSIONS • Spain sent Marques de Rubi to review colonies in North America in 1767 • Rubi reported Spanish power was spread too thin in Texas • Presidios could not protect Texas from Lipan Apache or Comanche attacks

Decline OF THE MISSIONS • Spain closed most of the missions and presidios in Texas • San Antonio (Alamo) and La Bahia and Nacogdoches settlements remained • Effort to settle Texas with missions and presidios had FAILED

Threats to Spanish Control • In 1800, war in Europe gave territory of Louisiana back to France • In 1803, France sold Louisiana Territory to US • In 1810, a revolt shook Mexico lasting 10+ years • These factors attracted fortune seekers from US – filibuster era had begun

filibuster • A person who wages unofficial war on a country • Act for their own benefit; do not carry out the plan of any govt • Caused Spanish to worry about increased interest in the area by the Americans • Used unsettled conditions to further their own interests

Philip Nolan

Philip Nolan • Horse trader in late 1700’s • Claimed he came to Texas to capture and trade mustangs for Spanish govt but sold to US • Good friends with US General James Wilkinson • Explored and made maps • Killed near present-day Waco in 1800 by Spanish

General James Wilkinson

General James Wilkinson • US Army General hired as double agent for Spanish • Double-crossed Spain by conspiring with US VP Aaron Burr to build independent country in Kentucky and Louisiana • Turned against Burr and testified against him at his trial

General James Wilkinson • Set-up a neutral zone between Texas and Louisiana – Neutral Ground Agreement • Neutral Ground Agreement – tried to achieve peace on border of new US/new Spanish TX • No Spanish or US troops would occupy this area until dispute was settled – outlaws hid!

Unrest in Mexico • New Spain resented power that Spain had over them • Talk of other revolutions where common people defeated kings inspired the Mexicans • New Spain faced the problem of poverty • Many aware of class, or social rank

Class - social rank • Peninsulares – highest class; Spaniards from Europe • Criollos - 2 nd class; Spaniards born in America • First two classes got the best jobs! • Mestizos – Mixed Spanish and Native American • Indians – Native Americans in New Spain

Cry of dolores • Priest Miguel Hidalgo wanted to end power of peninsulares – treat everyone equal in New Spain • Lower classes joined his revolt and killed many in the upper classes • Criollos refused to support revolt and defeated Hidalgo • Hidalgo killed by one of his own officers

Augustus Magee

Augustus Magee • US army sent this Lieutenant to remove outlaws from neutral zone (hiding place) • Left army and teamed up with rebel Gutierrez to invade Texas • Gathered army and captured Nacogdoches in 1812 • Died of disease near La Bahia

Kemper and Gutierrez • These two battled over Texas joining the US or staying with Mexico • Kemper hoped Texas might one day join the US • Gutierrez wanted Texas to be part of Mexico • A battle took place that killed hundreds of Texas filibusters and many fled to escape

Adams-Onis treaty • Treaty set border between US and Spanish Texas along Sabine River • US agreed that Spain owned Texas • In return, Spain gave Florida to the US • The treaty angered Dr. James Long so he organized a filibustering trip

Dr. James Long • Marched into Texas, took Nacogdoches, and declared Texas free from Spain • Wanted to work with French pirate Jean Lafitte but he refused • After an attempt to win La Bahia, he was captured and killed by a soldier while in jail

Jane Long

Jane Long • Wife to Dr. James Long • Known as the “Mother of Texas” • Possibly gave birth to the first US citizen born in Texas • Served as an example of strength, courage and pioneer spirit