Question

After declaring independence from Spain, how did José Gutiérrez de Lara anger Texans?

Answer 1

José Gutiérrez de Lara was a key figure in the early attempts to achieve independence for Texas and Mexico from Spanish rule. After declaring independence, his actions in leading a filibustering expedition to liberate Texas and rally support for the Mexican independence movement led to tensions with the Anglo-Texan population.

One of the main ways Gutiérrez de Lara angered Texans was through his authoritarian approach and the imposition of Mexican control over Texas, which many Anglo settlers resented. His efforts to establish a government that favored Mexican interests rather than Anglo Texan ones alienated significant portions of the population. Additionally, his alignment with Mexican revolutionary efforts was seen with suspicion, as many Anglo settlers were primarily interested in their own autonomy and were wary of Mexican political control.

Moreover, Gutiérrez de Lara’s attempts to remove loyalist Spanish elements and assert revolutionary authority did not sit well with those Texans who preferred stability over revolutionary turmoil. His association with a broader Mexican nationalist agenda further distanced him from a population that was predominantly Anglo and had their own expansionist interests.

Overall, Gutiérrez de Lara's vision for Texas as part of a liberated Mexico conflicted with the desires of many Anglo settlers for independence and self-governance, leading to tensions during this tumultuous period.