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A History of "Illegal" Immigration

A History of "Illegal" Immigration. The Trouble with Territory. Both Spain and Mexico had trouble governing its northern territories (including California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Texas). Problems included: -distance from Mexico City -Native Americans

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A History of "Illegal" Immigration

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  1. A History of "Illegal" Immigration

  2. The Trouble with Territory • Both Spain and Mexico had trouble governing its northern territories (including California, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and Texas). • Problems included: • -distance from Mexico City • -Native Americans • -little interest to emigrate by Mexican citizens.

  3. American interest in Texas • Original claims date back to Louisiana Purchase. • Two official American offers (JQ Adams and Andrew Jackson) to buy the land. • Southern farmers eager to expand cotton production and Northern factories want Mexican markets. • By 1821, Mexican independence from Spain opened opportunities to re-examine trade and immigration relationships.

  4. Mexico's invitation. . . • The Mexican government offered land grants to American farmers in an effort to make land more productive. • Stephen Austin organizes for 297 families to take the grants. • Americans had to agree: to obey Mexican laws, pay Mexican taxes, become Catholic and, after 1829, forbid slavery.

  5. Mexico Changes Policy • By 1830, Mexico closed its borders to further immigration and introduced new taxes. • Regardless, between 1830-1834, American populations doubled in TX. • By 1835, Mexicans were outnumbered by Americans in Texas 4,000 to 30,000. • In 1835, a new leader came to power in Mexico, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. He was a military leader and became dictator.

  6. Texas War for Independence: 1835-1836 • Due to Santa Anna's harsh policies, several northern territories rebelled including Texas. • Santa Anna raised an army to respond. • March 2, 1836 - Texas declares independence. • March 6, 1836 - Alamo falls to Santa Anna • March 20, 1836 - Santa Anna defeats Texans at Goliad • April 21, 1836, Sam Houston surprises Santa Anna at San Jacinto

  7. The Lone Star Republic: 1836-1845 • Houston forces Santa Anna to sign the Treaty of Velasco. • Mexican government refused to recognize treaty and still claimed land as theirs. • France and Great Britain recognized Texas as an independent country, but US did not.

  8. Problems with Texas • In 1838, Houston invited US to annex Texas, but . . . • Abolition groups concerned over extending slavery • possible war with Mexico. • unclear borders with Mexico (Rio Grande or Rio Nueces)

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