The Birth of Texas Series: Spanish Texas (DVD)
The Birth of Texas Series: Spanish Texas (DVD)
Hosted by Stephen J. Hardin
When Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, they also inherited a Spanish legacy that remains an integral part of Texas to this day. We still find Spanish influence in our language, laws, ranches, place names and food. The system of Spanish missions, towns and presidios was established not only to bring the native inhabitants of Texas into the fold of Catholicism, but also to keep the French out of an area that Spain found unattractive since it contained no gold or silver. Ranches operated in South Texas, settlement clusters were in place at San Antonio, Nacogdoches and in the area around Victoria, Goliad and Refugio all connected by a rudimentary network of roads. An illicit trading establishment was operating at Galveston Island, and filibusters were making their way into Texas for profit and adventure on the wide-open frontier.
The Birth of Texas documentary series is a multi-part series of feature-length documentaries that chronicle the journey from Spanish Texas, along the road to revolution, through the days of the Republic, and on to statehood. The videos not only explore the complete stories of the famous military actions at the Alamo, Goliad and San Jacinto--including recent breakthroughs in scholarship and archaeology--but also the roles played by Tejanos, American settlers, filibusterers, enslaved African-Americans, European immigrants and foreign governments in shaping the story of our state. By purchasing DVDs from the original content creator and producer, you support future educational Texas history videos.