Seven Flags Over Laredo
Most everyone is familiar with the slogan “Six Flags Over Texas,” especially since it is the name of a big theme park in Arlington, Texas. The slogan signifies that the flags of six different nations have flown over Texas: the flags of Spain, Mexico, France, Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States.
Less well-known is that seven flags have flown over my hometown of Laredo, Texas, which is located on the U.S.-Mexico border. The seventh nation was the Republic of the Rio Grande, whose capital was Laredo.
Under Mexico’s constitution of 1824, Mexico’s governmental system was based on a limited-government republic at the national level, with political power being decentralized to the Mexican states and provinces. That system ended with the presidential election in 1833 of Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna, who abrogated the constitution and implemented a highly centralized federal government (much like what happened in the United States.)
People in the northern part of the country opposed the change and viewed it as an assault on their freedom and independence. On November 7, 1835, the Mexican province of Texas issued a declaration in favor of the Mexican Constitution of 1824, which Santa Anna had abrogated. However, on March 2, 1836, at the Convention of 1836 at Washington on the Brazos, Texas declared its full independence from Mexico, thereby declaring itself an independent nation.
On March 6, 1836, Santa Anna’s forces defeated the revolutionaries defending the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. The following month, however, Sam Houston’s forces defeated Santa Anna’s army at San Jacinto and secured his surrender. Santa Anna was permitted to return to Mexico, where he resumed his position as president.
Resistance to Santa Anna’s tyrannical rule did not end, however, with his defeat at the hands of the Texans.
The southern boundary of the new nation of Texas was generally recognized as the Nueces River, which wa
Article from The Future of Freedom Foundation
The Future of Freedom Foundation (FFF) is a leading voice in libertarian thought, tirelessly advocating for individual liberty, free markets, and limited government. Established in 1989, the FFF is more than just a think tank; it’s a hub for intellectual exploration and policy advocacy that draws on the classical liberal tradition and Austrian economics. Through insightful articles, videos, and events featuring top libertarian minds, the organization provides a robust critique of mainstream politics and policies, championing instead the principles that underlie a truly free society. For anyone seeking a principled stand for freedom and limited government, the Future of Freedom Foundation serves as an invaluable resource and an inspiring beacon.