Searching for the Republic of the Rio Grande: Northern Mexico and Texas, 1838-1840

In 1838, a rebellion in northern Mexico sought to establish a Republic of the Rio Grande, but it failed and was forgotten by history. The rebellion was led by Antonio Zavala and Antonio Canales, who sought to defend the federalist system against a consolidated and unsupportive central government. The Anglo Texans fled back to their homeland with the tacit compliance of the Mexican government, and the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas became free of the norteamericanos. This regional revolt had many precursive elements to the aggression of the United States that resulted in war against Mexico from 1845 to 1848, fulfilling the imperial dreams of Anglo Texans.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2022
Publisher: Texas Tech Press,U.S.

In 1838, a rebellion began in northern Mexico, driven by a loose collective seeking to establish a Republic of the Rio Grande. This rebellion lasted for two years, ultimately failing and being forgotten by history. However, it had significant precursors to the aggression of the United States that led to the war against Mexico from 1845 to 1848. The rebellion was initially fueled by a desire to defend the federalist system against a consolidated and unsupportive central government. Zealous leaders like Antonio Zavala and Antonio Canales led the popular uprising, which gained support from the newly formed Republic of Texas. The Texans provided covert assistance, including manpower, funding, and supplies, to the rebels. As the conflict escalated, the Anglo Texans retreated to their homeland with the tacit approval of the Mexican government. This left the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas free of the norteamericanos, who faced widespread hatred in Mexico.

Leaders from both Mexican factions in the civil conflict sought peace and partnership to counter the threat of the Republic of Texas's aggrandizement. This regional revolt had many elements that foreshadowed the subsequent US aggression, fulfilling the imperial dreams of Anglo Texans during the federalist revolt of 1838–1840. The search for the Republic of the Rio Grande marked a pivotal moment in the history of Mexico, leading to the outbreak of open war and ultimately shaping the country's future.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682831267