Question
“The government lacks the resources to give each soldier enough to sustain [support] him, and this fact has not caused desertion to decrease. On this date 311 men are missing from the . . . division. . . . I have ordered the paymaster . . . to purchase and bring here the 150 loads of flour for the relief . . . of the [soldiers]. . . . I have absolutely nothing on hand . . . and the entire population is in the same unfortunate condition.”
—Antonio Martinez, Spanish Governor of Texas, Letter to General Joaquin Arredondo, June 19, 1820
How can historians use and manage information about the lack of food and other resources mentioned in Governor Martinez’s letter to determine how the Mexican settlement of Texas contrasted from the earlier Spanish settlement of this region?
(1 point)
Responses
Mexico offered soldiers from the United States Army cheap land to defend the Texas frontier.
Mexico offered soldiers from the United States Army cheap land to defend the Texas frontier.
Mexico required Tejano settlers to defend themselves against a possible French invasion.
Mexico required Tejano settlers to defend themselves against a possible French invasion.
Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.
Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.
Mexico placed former Spanish missions in Texas under civilian control.
Mexico placed former Spanish missions in Texas under civilian control.
—Antonio Martinez, Spanish Governor of Texas, Letter to General Joaquin Arredondo, June 19, 1820
How can historians use and manage information about the lack of food and other resources mentioned in Governor Martinez’s letter to determine how the Mexican settlement of Texas contrasted from the earlier Spanish settlement of this region?
(1 point)
Responses
Mexico offered soldiers from the United States Army cheap land to defend the Texas frontier.
Mexico offered soldiers from the United States Army cheap land to defend the Texas frontier.
Mexico required Tejano settlers to defend themselves against a possible French invasion.
Mexico required Tejano settlers to defend themselves against a possible French invasion.
Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.
Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.
Mexico placed former Spanish missions in Texas under civilian control.
Mexico placed former Spanish missions in Texas under civilian control.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Historians can analyze the statement made by Governor Antonio Martinez about the lack of resources for soldiers and the suffering of the population to contrast the Mexican settlement of Texas with the earlier Spanish settlement in the region.
The correct response that reflects a key difference is:
**Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.**
This response highlights a shift in military strategy and resource allocation between the two periods. Under Spanish rule, stronger military presences through presidios were established to protect settlers and enforce colonial policies. The letter indicates that under Mexican governance, the resources were insufficient to maintain such defenses, leading to issues such as desertion and the lack of provisions, which signifies a decline in military support compared to earlier Spanish settlements.
This contrast suggests a significant change in the governance and support for settlers between the Spanish and Mexican periods, impacting the overall stability and development of settlements in Texas.
The correct response that reflects a key difference is:
**Mexico abandoned the Spanish plan of building presidios to defend local settlements.**
This response highlights a shift in military strategy and resource allocation between the two periods. Under Spanish rule, stronger military presences through presidios were established to protect settlers and enforce colonial policies. The letter indicates that under Mexican governance, the resources were insufficient to maintain such defenses, leading to issues such as desertion and the lack of provisions, which signifies a decline in military support compared to earlier Spanish settlements.
This contrast suggests a significant change in the governance and support for settlers between the Spanish and Mexican periods, impacting the overall stability and development of settlements in Texas.