"For Honor, For Patriotism... For Our Own Best Interests": World War I

In this, the fifth episode of the History & Memory podcast Dr Mendoza unpacks the signifcant challenges & changes that take place for Tejanos in the period up to & including World War I. Early 20th Century WoesA. Economy1. Land displacement—Commercial landownersa) Old system of accommodation breaks down during this time period2. Immigrationa) Population at 125,016 by 1910b) Diaz regime ended in 1910 & vacuum led to the MX Revolution (1920)1910-19171. La Matanza (the Killings)2. Texas Rangers/law enforcement/US Army all mobilized to the border as spilloverviolence (real or imagined) allowed them to react against Tejanos with impunity- Website to look at: https://refusingtoforget.org/WW IA. Choices to register for draft or flee to Mexico1. Though some fled across the border, majority stayedB. Military1. Motives varied, but patriotism began to creep in for some- Jose De la Luz Saenz (teacher)2. The goal of making a name for themselves Homefront supported thewar—neutrality no longer an option3. Heroisma) David Barkley Cantu (hid his ethnic background) but Cong Medal of Honorb) Marcelino Serna—immigration story (join or be deported)- Distinguished Service Cross/Purple Heart/French Croix de Guerre/WarMerit Cross (Italy)- But no Congressional Medal of Honor for reasons unknown (as late as2025 family and political leaders were agitating the Biden administrationto award him a medal but to no avail)ImpactA. Memory—Tejanos left out of the monument building craze across the country1. Look at the soldier statue outside Memorial stadium2. WW I led to students naming UT Austin’s football stadium as Memorial Stadiumbefore they tarnished it with adding Darrel K. Royal’s name to it LOLB. Civil Rights—LULAC1. Americanization main goal2. War service led to opportunities