Having always lived in close proximity of extremely boisterous and proud Texans, something has always irritated me: the idea that Texas is somehow inherently greater than any other in the union and perhaps even greater than the entire country. There is even a group that has been trying to get Texas to secede from the union and re-form the Republic of Texas as an independent nation.
These beliefs all stem from the myth of Texas independence that goes all the way back to the state's formation. Texans still believe that the state joined to union out of the pure goodness in their hearts.
As an AMERICAN first and a FLORIDAN/KANSAN second, I feel that it is my sacred duty to set the record straight on the great myth of the Republic of Texas and the state's record as a country.
Texas was not founded by any outstanding, intelligent, or god-like human beings; it was founded as part of a land-grant program when Mexico was in its infancy. The Mexican government allowed the head of any household to claim land in Texas, regardless of citizenship status. American slave owners, anxious to find new places to grow tobacco and cotton, jumped on the free land.
Still a bit sore from Spanish control, the Mexican government outlawed slavery in 1829. Texans were ordered to have all their slaves freed by 1830. Looking to work around the law, slave owners called the slaves "indentured servants for life." The Mexican government tried to stem the rowdy group by banning American immigrants to Texas. The Texas decided to respond in revolt.
When the Texans eventually did win, they immediately asked the United States for entrance into the country. Unwilling to get sucked into a moronic and costly dispute with Mexico (who still claimed the territory was theirs), the US government kindly declined the offer. Unable to enter the country that they desperately wanted to be a part of, Texas formed the republic.
Texas finally entered the union as an overwhelmingly pro-slave state in 1845. In exchange for the US taking on over $10 million worth of debt that the "country" had accrued, the US got territory that became Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming. Many people think (mistakenly) that the bill that annexed Texas was actually a diplomatic agreement that allowed Texas to declare it independent at any time. This is incorrect.
All this is not to say that Texas doesn't have its share of heroes who rendered heroic deeds. All states do. Sam Houston was a great man. I just wish that Texas would accept that their state is no better than any other.
These beliefs all stem from the myth of Texas independence that goes all the way back to the state's formation. Texans still believe that the state joined to union out of the pure goodness in their hearts.
As an AMERICAN first and a FLORIDAN/KANSAN second, I feel that it is my sacred duty to set the record straight on the great myth of the Republic of Texas and the state's record as a country.
Texas was not founded by any outstanding, intelligent, or god-like human beings; it was founded as part of a land-grant program when Mexico was in its infancy. The Mexican government allowed the head of any household to claim land in Texas, regardless of citizenship status. American slave owners, anxious to find new places to grow tobacco and cotton, jumped on the free land.
Still a bit sore from Spanish control, the Mexican government outlawed slavery in 1829. Texans were ordered to have all their slaves freed by 1830. Looking to work around the law, slave owners called the slaves "indentured servants for life." The Mexican government tried to stem the rowdy group by banning American immigrants to Texas. The Texas decided to respond in revolt.
When the Texans eventually did win, they immediately asked the United States for entrance into the country. Unwilling to get sucked into a moronic and costly dispute with Mexico (who still claimed the territory was theirs), the US government kindly declined the offer. Unable to enter the country that they desperately wanted to be a part of, Texas formed the republic.
Texas finally entered the union as an overwhelmingly pro-slave state in 1845. In exchange for the US taking on over $10 million worth of debt that the "country" had accrued, the US got territory that became Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Wyoming. Many people think (mistakenly) that the bill that annexed Texas was actually a diplomatic agreement that allowed Texas to declare it independent at any time. This is incorrect.
All this is not to say that Texas doesn't have its share of heroes who rendered heroic deeds. All states do. Sam Houston was a great man. I just wish that Texas would accept that their state is no better than any other.
Leave a comment