What influence Spanish culture had on Texas?

Answer 1

This is because Texas, was once a Spanish and later a Mexican colony. The story goes, as independance from an independant country. First, Mexico declared independance from Spain and got it. But the Mexicans from what is now Texas, didn't like the new Mexican government. Because the Mexican government was simply comprised of original Spanish rulers. So Texas, declared independance and then became part of the United States. So, much Spanish and Mexican and even a combination of both is emerged into Tex-Mex culture. Alot of people of Texas, speak Spanish as a native language. Also, Mexico and Texas are right on the U.S/Mexico border. So immigrants from in and out of both places influence each other.

Answer 2

he prehistory of early cultures living between the Rio Nueces and the Rio Panuco is not well known. What is well documented is that Indians in that area fiercely resisted European encroachment, thus bringing about their own extermination. Indigenous people of the region did not keep written records nor did they develop highly structured societies. History, it is believed, was transmitted orally from generation to generation. Archeological excavations in the twentieth century prove that a long and well-established residency was present for several thousand years. The cultures were diverse, ranging from sedentary agriculturists to nomadic hunters and gatherers. Evidence suggests that in the almost two hundred different groups occupied the area.

The better-documented Indian culture occupying the geographic and cultural complex of South Texas and Tamaulipas is that of the Huasteca. This group resided in the coastal area from Veracruz to the southern fringes of Tamaulipas. Remains of dwellings extend from their territorial domain to smaller settlements in present-day South Texas. The Huasteca were an enterprising people who created commercial contacts with more populated areas in Mexico and other northern regions. At the time of the Conquest, Huasteca neighbors to the south, primarily Mexica, valued this coastal area for its abundant trade. Mexicas alluded cultural and biological ties between the two groups. A link between the two did exist, and if it was not biological it was certainly cultural.

Coahuiltecan Indians were the northern neighbors of the Huasteca. Coahuiltecans extended from Tamaulipas to the Nueces River. A nonagricultural society, Coahuiltecans exploited available Natural Resources and traded with other groups for subsistence. Commercial asociation with Huastecos produced similarities in ceramics, tools, and shell decorations, but Coahuiltecans imitated Huastec culture to only a minimal degree. They planted crops in seasonal camps, but did not live from the harvest. Corn, squash, pumpkin, and melon seeds were merely scattered. If a crop was available by the time Coahuiltecans returned it was an added boon to their diet.

Coahuiltecans lived in small units that did not allow for complex village structure. Small bands lived primarily by gathering plants, the occasional exchange of cultivated crops, hunting of small game, and fishing. The diet of chile, nopal, tomatillo, mulberries, coma, wild onions, mesquite and ebony beans, and various wild greens of quelite, verdolaga, flor de pita, were augmented by protein from deer, rabbit, javali, wild turkey, water fowl, and a variety of sealife. Since not obtainable year-round, dependence on corn was minimal. Yet when consumed it supplemented diets as tortillas, atoles (gruel), and tamales. Pinole, a corn or mesquite flour mixed with wild honey, was also a preferred food.

Coahuiltecans maintained their own tradition until the mid-eighteenth century. Since the early years of the sixteenth century, Spain attempted to settle present-day South Texas. When New Spain extended its prontiers to the coast, establishing Nuevo Santander in 1747, the end of Indian nomadic life in the region was predictable. Yet, Coahuiltecans left their influence on the Gulf coast, if few material remnants of their existence. Many of their traditions, especially in the use of the land's produce, are still visible. Above all, Coahuiltecans left a legacy of independent self-sufficient individualism, and sound proof of the hardiness and value of their culture.

Spanish settlers who slowly moved north to the indigenous environment had ample experience in adapting to changes in their lifestyles. Established Spanish traditions, along with the changes that life in Mexico had forced on those institutions, underwent additional modifications in Nuevo Santander.II.

European reconnaissance of the South Texas Gulf coast began soon after Hernan Cortez arrived in Mexcio. Cortez had named the first settlement Villa Rica, and because of the rich finds that the name implied rivalry over who was to colonize the coastal area soon arose. By August of 1519, Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda had explored the Gulf Coast from Florida to Veracruz. Cortez soon ran Pineda northward, and he landed in the vicinity of present-day South Texas. Pineda strongly advised Governor Garay of Jamaica to settle this area. Diego de Camargo arrived with bricks and artisans to build a fort. Garay arrived in July of 1523 but his attempts to settle proved unproductive.

Except for la huasteca, Spanish attempts along the Gulf coast were unsuccessful. In la huasteca, Cortez, with 120 horsemen, 300 foot soldiers, and 40,000 Indian allies intimidated sedentary populations and established settlements. He renamed the area la provincia de Panuco and, in 1528, Nuno Betran de Guzman became the first governor. Guzman initiated excursions further north. His objective was to find gold. When this did not turn up, he focused attention on other means of attaining wealth. Guzman captured Indians to sell as slaves in the villa of Panuco (Tampico). The trade proved lucrative, but it also brought Guzman unwanted notoriety. His cruelty to the Indians caught the Crown's attention, and Guzman was dismissed in 1533.

Missionaries were sent to Christianize the Indians and bring them into Spanish communities. In 1528, Fray Andres de Olmos began missionary activities between the Panuco River and the Nueces. Olmos remained in the area for over thirty years trying to Christianize the nomadic Coahuiltecans with little success. Because of difficulties in establishing permanent communities along the coast, Spain then decided to concentrate on inland settlement and from there possibly extend to the Gulf.

Also in the sixteenth century, Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca lived among the Native populations along the Gulf. His account of the eight-year journey in the region sheds light on the Native people living along the Gulf coast from Galveston to the Rio Grande.

Luis de Carbajal y de la Cueva undertook the task of inland settlement. In the late 1660s, Carbajal was made governor of el Nuevo Reino de Leon (today's present day Nuevo Leon) and advanced from Tampico on a northwesterly course and established several villas. By the close of the century, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Monterrey, Saltillo, Monclova, Cadereita, and Cerralvo had been established. By the first decades of the eighteenth century, twenty-four settlements existed in Nuevo Leon and in what was later to become Coahuila. Communities were still not directed toward the coast, and it was not until the threat of French expansion along the Gulf that a further push for settlement was initiated.

In 1746, Jose de Escandon was commissioned to settle the region, and, in 1747, advanced an entrada with settlers from Queretaro, Nuevo Leon, and Coahuila-Tejas. The group of some 3,000 pioneers had been amalgamated by a common culture and experience of frontier life. By 1755, twenty-three villas (towns) and many ranchos were established in present-day South Texas and Tamaulipas. Only two villas were on the north bank of the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande, Laredo and Dolores. The region from Tampico, at the Panuco River, to the Nueces was named "Nuevo Santander."

The first sign of flourishing settlements was the clearing of roads between villas and ranchos. The main road, known as el camino real (King's highway), connected villas and established communiation between them. El camino real, lined by mesquite, cacti, and chaparral, became a frequented road to neighboring towns, especially Monterrey, where settlers went to trade and acquire supplies. For the most part, ranching became the dominant occupation. Vast grasslands were converted into grazing pastures for thousands of ganado vacuno (cattle herds) and ganado menor (sheep, goats, and hogs). The multiplying herds created ranchos of considerable size. Ganaderos (ranchers) acquired large tracts of land on both sides of the river but continued to live in villas, leaving herds in the capable hands of vaqueros (cowboys).

By the time of settlement in South Texas, the Spanish community in Mexico had experienced a cultural transformation. Foundations were Spanish, but both Indian and Iberian cultures incorporated, modified, and adapted social patterns. Indian and Spaniard blended into a predominantly mestizo society. Spanish-Mexicans then brought modified institutions, customs, and traditions to Coahuiltecan regions."El Norte," map of provinces bordering the Rio Grande, late 18th century. drawing by Jack Jackson Texas A&M Press. Larger view

III.

Anglo American influence in South Texas dates from the annexation of what in 1945 comprised Texas (from the San Antonio River and the Nueces to the Red and Sabine Rivers). After the Anglo American takeover of Texas in 1836, Texas became a Republic. After annexation, President Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to the disputed border at the Rio Bravo/Rio Grande. Polk established forts across from Matamorros, in Brownsville, in Rio Grande City, and in Laredo. Battles during the U.S.-Mexican War were fought at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, near Brownsville. Although the War ended in 1848, the present boundaries for the state of Texas were set with the Compromise of 1850.

Mexican Americans fought on both sides of the Civil War. Have distinguished themselves in all U.S. wars/conflicts.

Today, South Texas still exhibits much of the cultural legacy left by Spanish-Mexicans. Traditions, language, folklore, music, and cuisine have shaped a lasting legacy that continues to evolve and flourish.

Answer 3

Spanish is one of the main languages spoken, and we celebrate Cinco de Mayo. there are probably more, but since im having trouble with the same question, this is what i have.

Answer 4

Some of their advertisements,languages,and Culture are major influences

Umayyads made a strong impression on Spanish culture in language, art, and architecture that remains today.

Answer 5

Names of Cities and food