Question

In a letter to Stephen F. Austin from John Durst, Durst

asks, "We have received by the last mail a Decree Given by
the executive of our Government Liberating all the Slaves
in its territory... in the Name of God, what Shall we do?
God's sake advise me on the subject by the return of n.
We are ruined forever Should this measure be adopted."
To what extent was the Texas War for Independence
caused by slavery? Explain your answer and identify an
alternate view.

Answer 1

The Texas War for Independence was caused by tensions between the Mexican government and Texan settlers, with slavery playing a significant role. An alternate view suggests that the main cause was a desire for self-governance and independence.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Texas War for Independence was primarily caused by tensions between the Mexican government and the Texan settlers, with slavery being one of the contributing factors. Slavery played a significant role in the economic and social structure of Texas at the time, and the Mexican government's plan to liberate all the slaves in its territory greatly alarmed the Texan settlers who relied on slavery for their agricultural production. This decree created a sense of fear and resistance among the Texan settlers, contributing to their motivation to declare independence and fight against the Mexican government.

An alternate view is that the Texas War for Independence was driven primarily by a desire for self-governance and independence from Mexico. This perspective argues that while slavery played a role in the conflict, it was not the main cause. Instead, the Texan settlers were motivated by their dissatisfaction with Mexican governance and sought to establish their own independent republic.

Learn more about The role of slavery in the Texas War for Independence