The kids continue
with their Gingerbread House project in the morning.
After lunch we head
into San Antonio. We visit 'The Alamo', a historic Spanish mission
and fortress compound built in the early 1700's by Roman Catholic
missionaries to educate local American Indians and convert them to
Christianity.
The Spanish had been in the area since the early 1500's
and by the end of the 1600's were concerned the French posed a
competetive threat in North America. This was an marked attempt to
populate the area, solidify trade allegiances with the American
Indians and establish peace amongst the tribes. The Indians were
quite happy to trade with the Spanish, but had no interest in peace
amongst the Indian tribes. Eventually the trade business turned sour
as warring tribes felt other tribes were getting better trades.
Drawn by large land
grants, more and more settlers arrive from Spain (Tejanos) and
immigrated from the United States (Texians). As more settlers move to
the area, the Indians were displaced further and further north. The
mission closes in 1793, having fulfilled its purpose, and the Spanish
converted it to a military post in 1803.
During the 1700's a
movement spread throughout the world known as the 'Age of
Enlightment' which including ideals such as separation of state and
religion, and a constitutional government instead of a monarchy.
After the American (1783) & French (1799) revolutions and
Napoleon's occupation of mainland Spain in 1808, most Spanish
colonies of New Spain would fight for their own independence. Mexico
declares independence from Spain in 1810. As they fight Spain for
independence they struggle to form a stable Mexican government. One
is finally established in 1821 but Spain does not acknowledge it
until 1836. The territory of Mexico extended from present day Costa
Rica to California to Texas.
In the meanwhile in
Texas, a sense of independence grows as well. The new Mexican
President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna abolished the constitution and
enforced a more central government in Mexico curtailing the rights of
citizens. This led to the Texas revolution of 1835 – 1836. At the
Battle of the Alamo of March 1836 Mexican forces defeat besieged
Texans including American folk hero Davy Crockett. True to his word,
Santa Anna had every man killed. A month later however, Texan troops
defeat and capture Santa Anna who trades his life for the recognition
of the Republic of Texas.
The new Republic of
Texas started talks with the United States shortly after to negotiate
annexation with the USA. Texas was finally annexed when expansionist
James K Polk was elected as the 11th President of the USA in 1844.
Mexico promptly broke diplomatic relations with the USA, they always
suspected the USA was behind the Texan Revolution and disputed Texas
land claims. Fighting broke out in 1845.
The USA quickly
occupied the areas West of Texas and in 1848 forced a treaty onto the
Mexican government that ceded all the territory in the South-West to
the USA, snatching the desirable California away from the English.
Wow, history is
quite fascinating when you are so close to it, and have the Internet
available for additional research. It is captivating how events at
both sides of the Atlantic unfolded and influenced each other.
Today: 60km - 1h20m
Total: 18,390km - 364h57m
