Tejanos refers to the Mexican-Texan population that lived in the Mexican province of Texas prior to the Texas Revolution and the subsequent annexation of Texas by the United States. Tejanos played a crucial role in the events leading up to and during the Texas Revolution, as well as the Mexican-American War that followed.
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Tejanos were Mexican citizens who had settled in the Mexican province of Texas, many of them descendants of the original Spanish colonists.
Tejanos played a significant role in the Texas Revolution, with some supporting the Texian cause and others remaining loyal to Mexico.
After the Texas Revolution, Tejanos faced discrimination and loss of land as the new Texan government favored Anglo-American settlers.
Tejanos were caught in the middle of the tensions between Mexico and the United States during the Mexican-American War, with some supporting Mexico and others the U.S.
The experiences of Tejanos during this period highlight the complex and often conflicting loyalties faced by Mexican-Americans in the Southwest.
Review Questions
Explain the role of Tejanos in the Texas Revolution and how their loyalties were divided.
Tejanos, as Mexican citizens living in the Mexican province of Texas, were divided in their loyalties during the Texas Revolution. Some Tejanos supported the Texian cause and fought alongside the Anglo-American settlers for Texas' independence from Mexico. Others remained loyal to the Mexican government and fought against the Texian rebels. This division among Tejanos highlights the complex and often conflicting allegiances they faced as Mexican-Texans during this period of political upheaval and territorial change.
Describe the impact of the Texas Revolution and the subsequent annexation of Texas on the Tejano population.
After the Texas Revolution and the establishment of the Republic of Texas, Tejanos faced discrimination and the loss of their land as the new Texan government favored Anglo-American settlers. Many Tejanos were forced off their land or had their property rights challenged, leading to a significant decline in their political and economic power in the region. This marginalization of the Tejano population continued even after the annexation of Texas by the United States, as the new state government continued to prioritize the interests of the Anglo-American settlers over the native Mexican-Texan population.
Analyze the role of Tejanos during the Mexican-American War and how their experiences illustrate the complexities of Mexican-American identity in the Southwest.
During the Mexican-American War, Tejanos were once again caught in the middle of the tensions between Mexico and the United States. Some Tejanos supported Mexico's efforts to retain control over the territory, while others aligned themselves with the United States, seeing an opportunity to maintain their land and rights under the new American government. This divided loyalty among Tejanos highlights the complex and often conflicting identities that Mexican-Americans in the Southwest faced, as they grappled with their cultural and political ties to both Mexico and the United States. The experiences of Tejanos during this period underscore the nuanced and multifaceted nature of Mexican-American identity in the region.
Related terms
Mexican Texas: The territory of Texas while it was still a part of Mexico, from 1821 to 1836.