Texas Independence
...s Independence Day. At the time of original statehood, Texas was just another slave state to most of the United States Population. Even nowadays most people out side of Texas have little knowledge of Texas history. Dr. Hardin criticizes the beliefs of “activist” historians by asserting that they have a reductionist understanding of Texas history. Dr. Hardin believed that the Texan immigrants were welcomed with open arms into Texas. Most received land grants, and tax rebates until they established themselves. It seems many of the “activist” historians believe that the immigrants had pressed themselves on the Mexican Government and expected too much. Dr. Hardin stated that southerners supported Texas Independence in hopes that a newly added slave state would tilt the congressional balance of power in their favor. Wealthy landowner Tejanos were also in support of Independence. This would allow them to import slaves to help the cotton trade and improve economic growth in Texas. At the beginning of Texas immigration the Mexican government gave land grants to Moses Austin and Stephen F. Austin to start the settling of Texas. Mexico did not strongly enforce their laws on the “New Texans”. In 1835, Santa Anna declared himself dictator, and revoked the constitution of 1824. This caused the Texans and Tejanos to revolt. Due to the distrust of Anglo-Americans by the Mexican federalists, they offered no help to the Texans. Realizing that the Texans could not win this war on their own they enlisted the help of U.S. Banks and individuals. They refused to help the cause as long as Texas remained...