Arizona as a Part of Mexico

The Mexican Revolution

Most of Arizona and the West belonged to Spain. However, like the thirteen colonies, the people of Mexico wanted their own government. The first rebellion failed, but eleven years later Mexico won its independence from Spain. The land that is now Arizona became a part of Mexico. Life changed in Arizona after the Mexican government took charge.

Missions Closed

The Mexican government did not think that the missions were necessary and forced the Spanish Missionaries to leave. The San Xavier mission was without a priest for years. In fact at one time the church and buildings were used as barns, horse stables, and as a place for soldiers to sleep. Mexican leaders also sold Tucumcari.

Life in Mexican Tucson

The Mexican government had little to do with Tucson since it was so far away. The people their had to take care of themselves. They lived in one room adobe houses and many were farmers and ranchers. A few hundred friendly Apache worked for farmers.

The people of Tucson got their water from canals near the Santa Cruz River. They gathered desert plants to eat and made tortillas from flour. Most Tucson homes had a burro flour mill.

Mexican Cattle Ranches

People who wanted to come to Arizona to raise cattle received large land grants from the Mexican government. The government gave people a large piece of land. A rancher could then buy the land surrounding the ranch for a very low price, Most of the big ranches were in Southern Arizona.

Apache Raids

The Spanish had given the Apache food to keep peace. When the Mexican government took over they stopped giving the them food and the Apache grew angry. They began attacking Mexican ranches and drove away the livestock. Sometimes they carried away women and children. Many of the ranchers became afraid. Soon they began to leave their lands because of the raids. They moved to nearby towns and left their cattle to roam wild.

To stop the attacks the Mexican government decided to give bounties or rewards for Apache scalps. The scalp hunters got $100 for a head of hair. Sadly, many men from the United States and Mexico killed many Mexicans and peaceful Indians as well as many Apache. The bounty maid the Apache even angrier and they continued their raids. Because of this few people came to Arizona.

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