"Now, Is He A Mexican Or A Texan": Mexican-American & Civil Wars

In this third episode of History & Memory, Dr Mendoza discusses the years between Texas Independce & the Civil War, including the Mexican-American War. Below are is an outline of the discussion. Antebellum/Mexican WarA. Laredo1. Laredoans petitioned to remain part of Mexico after war broke out2. MB Lamar: “Mexico has lost Laredo forever”Notions of identity and loyaltyB. Republic of Rio Grande 1840s1. Goals2. National Loyalty still dubiousCivil WarA. Choices to join Confederates, support Federal government, or Stay Neutral1. Newspapers praised Tejanos who caught slaves in MexicoB. Story of Santos Benavides (Laredo) and Juan Cortina (Brownsville)1. Contemporaries born around the same timeFought on different sidesC. Adrian Vidal1. Fought on THREE sides: Union, Confederacy, joined Cortina’s rebels untilexecuted by French forcesMemoryA. Santos Benavides Middle School (Laredo)B. Civil War iconography in Laredo (Rebel flag on Masthead/Airport)