IN THIS ISSUE
OCTOBER 2015
The Alamo Messenger
Greetings and welcome to the October 2015 edition of The Alamo Messenger.  Last month we looked at the beginning of the Mexico's fight for independence from Spain.  This month we explore the end of that fight and the early years of Mexican independence.  With independence also came the opening of Texas to settlement by American and European colonists.  Read about Stephen F. Austin's first visit to Texas in his own words and learn more about the timeline of colonization in Mexican Texas.
The Plan de Iguala & Mexican Independence

Mexico's adoption of the Plan de Iguala was a critical step in the nation's history. As a document, it is the equivalent of the United State's Declaration of Independence in which the colonies severed ties with Great Britain. In this case, though, Mexico severed its ties to Spain. Like its American counterpart, the Mexican document not only officially instituted autonomy, the plan also laid out important principles to guide the new nation. As an unintended consequence, though, the Plan de Iguala unleashed political and social currents that would be felt throughout Mexico for decades to come.  Keep Reading
Artifact of the Month


This is an 8 reales coin dating back to 1823.  It is from the First Mexican Empire, when Agustin de Iturbide became Emperor following Mexico's Independence.  The front of the coin features Agustin I with the phrase  "Augustinus Dei Providentia" (Agustin by God's Providence ) with the Mexico City mint mark which is the letter M with a circle above it.    The Mexican Eagle perched on a cactus wearing a crown is on the back of the coin.  It has the phrase, "Mex I Imperator Constitut" (First Constitutional Emperor of Mexico).  The initials of the assayer, JM (Joaquin Davila Madrid) are also present. This coin is part of the Alamo Collection.

Photo and text by Ernesto Rodriguez, III, Alamo Associate Curator.

Guadalupe Victoria: First President of Mexico 

The beginning of the 19th century found Mexico entering a period of unrest. The imprisonment of King Ferdinand VII by the French left a power vacuum in the Americas. This led to civil unrest that lead to the Grito de Dolores and Mexico's quest for independence. While Mexico struggled for eleven years for independence, many leaders emerged to carry the torch lit by Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla on September 16, 1810. Many of the early leaders of the revolution would unfortunately be captured and executed by the Spanish crown, but there were a few that would survive and eventually lead Mexico into a new era. Among those leaders was Guadalupe Victoria.  Keep Reading 

Colonization in Mexican Texas
Under Spanish authority, there were fairly strict laws regarding colonization of Mexico, including Texas. Spain was reluctant to let Anglo-Americans and Europeans settle in their territory. Populating Texas was problematic, however, and in 1820 Spain began granting empresario contracts to Anglo-Americans. The first contract was granted to Moses Austin of Missouri, who died before he could make the move to Texas.  Keep Reading
In Their Own Words: Stephen F. Austin

In 1820 - 1821, Moses Austin applied for and was eventually granted a contract to settle families in Texas. Unfortunately, on his return trip to Missouri, he contracted pneumonia and would be unable to carry out his dream. His son, Stephen Fuller Austin, took up the cause, despite his lack of enthusiasm for his father's colonization plan. In June 1821, Stephen F. Austin traveled to Texas for the first time and kept a journal of his travels. While on their way to San Antonio, Austin received the news that his father had died. Later in the trip, Austin and the others heard the news that Mexico had won its independence from Spain. The following selection from Austin's journal details his journey from New Orleans to San Antonio in the summer of 1821.   Keep Reading

Educator's Resource
The Early Mexican National period is marked by upheaval and changing in leaders and types of government.  Although this process is how many new republics begin, Mexico struggled to find their way.  To understand the turmoil that marked the period, students need an understanding of the basic forms of government.  The purpose of this worksheet is to clarify those forms of government.  Although geared toward the high school TEKS, the worksheet can be used with younger students with sufficient preparation and will be helpful in their understanding of the events that lead to the Texas Revolution.  Go to Lesson