The history of Texas from 1835 to 1865 was one laced with militarism. The Texan War for Independence, fierce battles against renegade Indians, the Mexican War, and the Civil War all occurred during this period. In each of these wars the stakes were high but in the end Texas would prevail better off than it was before the wars, with perhaps the exception of the Civil War.
The Texas War for Independence erupted due to the belief among Angelo-Americans and Tejanos that liberalism and republicanism were no longer realities in Mexico. Santa AnnaÆs dictatorship undermined the government and constitution in favor of wealthy land barons. A popular assembly resulted in the call for independence and the need for a new constitution, and the mounting of armies to combat Mexican armies that would be forthcoming. Richardson, et al., (2005, p. 91) suggests there was great uncertainty over the war, however, ôThere was uncertainty in the beginning about the goalùwhether the fighting was for independence or for a more democratic government of Mexico.ö Ultimately, independence became the goal and Texas was highly successful in achieving it in the War of Independence.
Michener maintains that hostilities toward Indians in Texas stemmed from different sources. One of these was the historical ôcontemptö for Indians of Anglo Texans and reports from other states regarding Indian brutalities, (Michener, 1985, p. 739). Eventually, Texas would be successful in the expulsion of its Indians but not before long periods of bloody and fierce battles ensued. Despite their brutality, Michener (1985, p. 739) supports TexasÆ efforts against the Apache and Comanche, ôNo outsider ignorant of the bloody history of the 1850 to 1875 frontier, with its endless massacres and hideous tortures, has a right to condemn the Texas settlers for the manner in which they responded.ö
The Mexican War resulted as TexasÆ decade of being an independent Republic mov...