Tejas Macroregion

Tejas (Spanish pronunciation: /ˈtexas/; Tèchannisch: Tèchas), also known as Greater Tejas (Spanish: Tejas Mayor or La Gran Tejas; Tèchannisch: Gruuss-Tèchas), is a macro-region and prominent territory within the Mejican Empire, situated in the northeastern expanse of the empire and comprising the provinces of Pecos, Tejas, Béjar, Matagorda, and Gálvez. Sharing borders with Louisiana to the northeast and the Gulf of Mejico to the southeast, Tejas is renowned for its rich history, culture, and natural landscape. Tejan culture is deeply influenced by the Hispanic Tejano population and the Lutheran components that came to form Tèchannisch society. Its strategic importance, bolstered by economic prosperity and cultural significance, has rendered it a linchpin of contemporary Mejican influence and governance, contributing substantially to the empire's stature in North America.

Before the arrival of European settlers, the region of Tejas was inhabited by various indigenous groups with distinct cultures and societies. These groups can be broadly categorized into three cultural regions: the Pueblo in the western parts of the Tejan region, the Plains cultures in the northern and central areas, and the Southeastern cultures of the coastal and easter regions. In western Tejas, particularly in the provinces of Pecos and Tejas, the Pueblo peoples were known for their complex societal structure and adobe buildings, and cultivated maize, beans, and squash. The Plains Indians, mostly present in the regions of Tejas, Matagorda, and Gálvez, such as the Apache and the Comanche, were principally bison hunters and were adept horsemen, a skill that became central to their way of life after the reintroduction of horses into the region by the Spanish during the late 1500s. In the coastal regions of Tejas, various Southeastern tribes, such as the Cados, the Toncahuas, and Carancahuas flourished. The societies were known for their cultivation of maize, legumes, and sunflowers, and for their artistry with ceramics and jewelry.

The initial Spanish interest in Tejas was sparked by tales of mythical cities filled with riches, similar to those that spurred explorations in other parts of the Americas. In 1519, Alonso Álvarez de Pineda charted the Tejan coastline, marking the beginning of Spanish influence. Over the subsequent decades, sporadic expeditions were sent out, but it wasn't until the late 17th century that efforts to colonize Tejas were intensified. This reaction was largely due to the threat of French expansion into the territory from Louisiana. The Spanish Crown ordered that settlements, missions, and presidios be established to assert Spain's claim over the region. These settlements were strategically located along the Río Bravo and in the east towards Louisiana.

As part of its colonization strategy, Spain and viceregal authorities used the mission system with great effectiveness. A series of missions were established, extending from modern-day San Antonio de Béjar to Espíritu Santo de los Carancahuas. These missions aimed at the religious conversion and cultural assimilation of the Indigenous population into Spanish society. The Franciscan friars, who spearheaded the missionary efforts, not only introduced Christianity but also European agriculture, livestock, and crafts to the native peoples. The most successful of these missions was the Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1685, which later developed into the city of San Antonio de Béjar, a prominent hub of Spanish colonial power in Tejas.

Encouraged by the viceroyalty, families from central Mejico, Murcia, and the Canary Islands began to settle in Tejas, setting up farming communities and ranches. The establishment of civil settlements was encouraged through land grants, leading to the growth of haciendas and the development of a ranching economy. The success in cattle ranching introduced the local vaquero and cibolero culture, which became deeply ingrained in Tejan society. The territory of Tejas was administered by the Viceroyalty of New Spain, and later the Commandancy General of the Provincias Internas, which allowed for a more focused and military-led administrative effort. The local governance of Tejas, which included municipal councils known as ayuntamientos, was carried out through a combination of Spanish law and local customs.

The region of Tejas remained an important and dynamic part of the Mejican Empire through the rest of the 19th century. It witnessed various developments and events that shaped its history and cultural landscape, such as the banning of slavery, the rise of the House of Bourbon-Iturbide, the often violent interactions with the Comanche people, land disputes, the establishment of large ranching estates, among others. Together with this, another important aspect of 19th-century Tejan history was the influx of European settlers from Protestant backgrounds, including German, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Polish and Czech immigrants. The Mejican Empire recognized the potential benefits of this migration, despite backlash from the predominantly Catholic population. Protestant settlers brought with them advanced agricultural techniques and industrial knowledge, which helped to further strengthen the Tejan economy. Protestantism, particularly Lutheranism, has played a significant role in shaping the cultural, economic, and intellectual landscape of the Tejan region.

During the Liberal Trentennium, Tejas experienced significant political and economic changes that were closely tied to the broader developments of Mejico under the Porfirist system. Under this system, the government pursued policies aimed at modernizing and industrializing the country. One of the key aspects of this modernization was the expansion of infrastructure, such as railways and telegraph lines. Tejas, being an integral part of the empire, and right next to Louisiana, benefited from these developments, which facilitated transportation, communication, and trade within the region and beyond. The railway system played a crucial role in connecting Tejas with other parts of Mejico, enabling the efficient movement of goods and people. Cities like San Antonio, Espíritu Santo, and El Paso became important hubs for trade, culture, and commerce, attracting investment and contributing to economic growth.

The Porfirist government also encouraged foreign investment and industrial development and, German Tejans, using their connections in Europe, helped to bring in substantial amounts of capital for industrialization, leading to the growth of the mining, lumber, and manufacturing industries. The availability of natural resources and the region's strategic location made it an attractive destination for investment and economic activities. While these economic changes brought about industrial progress and contributed to increased prosperity for some segments of society, they also led to social disparities and economic inequality. Large landholders and foreign investors often benefitted disproportionately from these developments, while many Indigenous groups, peasants, and rural communities faced marginalization and exploitation.

The political climate in Tejas during this period was complex. The pervasive influence of Porfirio Díaz on his successors was met with growing concerns, despite the indisputable economic benefits of their system. President Díaz and his successors held power for decades, and opposition to their rule began to emerge. Francisco I. Madero, who initiated the Mejican Civil War, was imprisoned in San Antonio before the 1910 presidential elections and, after breaking out, he proclaimed the Plan of San Luis. Calls for Tejan independence were not uncommon, as it was a plurality Protestant part of the Empire. This was further intensified after the breakout of the Civil War, with Francisco Guttmacher proclaiming the Plan of La Magnolia in 1912, calling for a republican Tejas, but being suppressed by Victoriano Huerta in 1912. Support for Tejan independentism continued to grow and, four years later, Godofredo Guttmacher, one of Francisco's sons, would proclaim the Cry of Goliad in 1916, declaring Tejan independence, and leading a movement that called for the establishment of a Protestant "Theodemocracy" (Tèchannisch: Gottes Volksschtaat) in Tejas.

The Guttmacherite Rebellion would be initially successful, managing to establish their capital in the city of Huaco, which was proclaimed as a holy city by Guttmacher. However, infighting would break out between two main factions: the Hardliners, who defended Tejan independence, and the Conciliationists, who sought to re-integrate themselves into the Mejican Empire, in exchange for religious freedom. After the Constitutionalist victory and the establishment of Venustiano Carranza as President of Mejico, Guttmacher would be defeated in 1919 at the hands of Álvaro Obregón and Bernardo Bell, leader of the Conciliationist faction. With the fall of San Antonio and Arquicosa, Gálvez blockaded, and Huaco surrounded, the three men met at the Hacienda de Cavazos and signed the Treaty of Huaco in December 1919, putting an end to the rebellion, reintegrating Tejas, and guaranteeing religious freedom in Mejico.

After the rise of José Vasconcelos, the religious freedom of Tejas was respected, and the independence movement was largely reduced to a couple of pockets. Vasconcelos sought to instill a deep civic nationalism in the Tejan region and, instead of promoting Castizaje, as he did in the rest of the country, he largely respected the demographic balance that had existed before the Mejican Civil War. Corporatism and exploitation of oilfields and mineral resources in Tejas would continue, but the region was gaining increasing autonomy economically and culturally. The Tejan provinces saw a comparatively higher level of participation in the war effort against the Communard Republic in 1941, which contributed to a deeper integration with the Mejican nation.