Keep Restrictions on Land Ownership
By: Brendan Knouse and Alex Schmidt
The Settlement of Texas
The majority of people living in Texas in 1820 were Americans. These Americans received large land grants in exchange for their citizenship, and for their conversion to Catholicism. The Mexican government had encouraged them to move so that there was a buffer between the marauding Native Americans and the more southern provinces. This buffer is the 60 mile restriction zone currently in place. Mexico has always had an international buffer, and this must be maintained.
Texan War for Independence
The Texas War for Independence began in 1835 with the battle of Gonzales. The Texans officially declared their independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. The battle of the Alamo occurred on March 6, four days after this declaration. All Texans were killed defending this Catholic mission, among them Davy Crockett. This battle inspired many more Texans to fight, and the war ended shortly after this battle with the Mexican defeat at San Jacinto on April 21.
Mexican American War
President John Tyler signed the congressional resolution to annex Texas on December 29, 1845. Texas was formally accepted as a state on February 14, 1846. The Mexican government refused to recognize this annexation, and sent troops to Texas, prompting the U.S. to declare war on May 9, 1846. The Americans were quick to invade Mexico winning the battles of Buena Vista, Monterrey, Puebla, and finally Mexico City on September 14, 1847. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war on February 2, 1848, and ceded almost all of the American southwest, including California, to America.
Why the Restriction Zone Should be Kept
The focal point of history is to learn from past mistakes. Removing the 60 mile restriction zone would encourage Americans to settle these lands. The last time the Mexican government encouraged Americans to settle Mexican lands, the eventual outcome was the loss of many Mexican soldiers, the occupation of Mexico City, and the cession of California. Before the Mexican government gets rid of the restriction zone, it should review its purpose, as history tends to repeat itself.