Individuals and Events Cards

Grade 7 Social Studies Unit: 05 Lesson: 01 Individuals and Events Cards

Philip Nolan

Philip Nolan was an American who threatened Spanish rule. He was known as a filibuster (an adventurer who engaged in a private rebellion against a foreign country).The Spanish never truly be lieved that the only reason Nolan was entering Texas was to capture wild horses to sell in the United States. At first he had permission by the Spanish government to enter Texas. The Spanish government became suspicious when he began to visit with General James Wilkinson.

General James Wilkinson was the United States army commander of the American frontier that

bordered Spanish Texas. The Spanish governor feared that Nolan was plotting to take Texas from Spain. The United States had been interested in Texas as far back as 1803 under President Thomas Jefferson. The Spanish always had a difficult time securing their northern borders. The Spanish governor warned Philip Nolan he would be arrested if he entered Texas again. Nolan ignored the warnings. Near Waco, Philip Nolan and 17 other men met up with soldiers near Waco. A fight broke out and Philip Nolan was killed. The men who were captured

were taken to Mexico.

Do you think Philip Nolan was working for the United States government to take control of Texas from Spain?

Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition

After taking control of the Neutral Territory for the United States, Augustus Magee resigned from the U.S. Army and met Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara. Gutiérrez had been a

follower of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Father Hidalgo was part of the independence movement from Spain. Father Hidalgo believed that Mexico, not Spain, should control the affairs of the government. Geographically, Mexico was located very far from Spain. Gutiérrez- Magee organized a group of men made up of Tejanos, Native Texans, Anglo Americans, and other volunteers to fight for Mexican independence. They arrived in Nacogdoches in 1812 and proclaimed Texas independent of Spain. The men of the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition were

known as filibusters.

These filibusters marched to the presidio at La Bahía. There they were attacked by Spanish forces. Magee died during this attack but the filibusters were successful. The filibusters went on to defeat the Spanish at the Battle of Salado and they occupied San Antonio. In San Antonio, Gutiérrez was replaced as the leader.

Near the Medina River, another battle occurred. This is known as the Battle of Medina. The

expedition was defeated and almost all the filibusters were killed.

How was the Gutiérrez-Magee Expedition successful in the fight for Mexican independence?

Individuals and Events Cards

Long Expedition In 1815 in Natchez, Mississippi, Jane Wilkinson married Dr. James Long. Dr. Long had been involved in the Battle of New Orleans and decided to take part in Mexican independence. Dr. Long decided to go to Nacogdoches and declare Texas independent from Spain. Once

there, he set up posts along the Brazos and Trinity River and went to Galveston to ask for help

from the pirate Jean Lafitte. Jane Long followed her husband to Galveston and decided to stay after Dr. Long went for more help. While in La Bahía, Dr. Long was captured by Spanish soldiers because he was seen as a filibuster. He was taken to Mexico City and put in prison. While in prison, Dr. Long was shot and killed by a prison guard.

Why did Dr. James Long support Mexican independence?

Jane Long, her daughter Ann, and her slave Kian were in Galveston alone. Jean Lafitte

and his men had left the island. Jane Long was left alone on the island defending herself from

the Karankawa Indians, wild animals, and a snowy winter. On top of that, she was pregnant. After Jane found out about her husband’s death, she returned to Mississippi, but found out she had few opportunities as a widow woman with small children.

If you were Jane Long, would you return to Texas?

Spanish Government

The lure of the West was very appealing to Americans. After buying the Louisiana Territory in 1803, the United States was now Spain’s neighbor. Spain no longer had to worry about France, but now they began worrying about the United States. Spain saw more and more Americans crossing the Mississippi and settling in Spanish lands. The United States government was even becoming interested in seeing how they could acquire Spanish territory.

 In 1800, Philip Nolan had been given permission to do business in Texas, but he had close ties to the U.S. government.  1803, the U.S. acquired the Louisiana Purchase.  General Andrew Jackson followed American Indians into Spanish Florida without any permission by Spain.  Americans gained control of land Spain claimed because they did not agree with the Adams-Onís Treaty.  More and more filibusters were moving into Texas.

Why would Spain be against the independence of Mexico?

Why would Spain not trust the United States?