The History of New Spain
fter the humiliation of Santa Anna in his looses in Texas, he was
soon deposed in favor of a liberal constitutional government based on the
constitution of 1824. This rapid change in fortunes alienated many of the more
conservative elements within the far flung regions of the Mexican state.
King Ferdinand VII of Spain had been eyeing the former Spanish lands of the
new world. His untimely death in 1833 left the throne of Spain in question
his only child was a daughter. Although tradition dictated that only a male
could be named soviourn.Conflict arose when his daughter, Isabella II, was
named as queen. King Ferdinand VII wife, Queen Maria Cristina,
was named as regent and soon received British aid in the form of arms and
volunteer troops. The struggle with the pretender to the throne
Don Carlos lead the loyal forces of Isabella II to seek support from all quarters.
Conservative forces in California donated richly to the queen in exchange
for pledges of protection from the liberal forces in Mexico. Suiting all of their
ambitions this was happily entered into by the Queen's government. With the support
of Britain and Prussia, the Spanish claim to its once lost new world territory
soon bore fruit in the formation of New Spain. The new colony including
the formally Mexican states of upper and lower California.
The Spanish forces, having been hardened by the struggle with the Carlists during the past six years, were newly freed up by the effective suppression of the rebel forces. With the landing of Spanish royal forces in Puerto de Monterrey in late 1839, the claims of the regency were put to the point. The week central government of Mexico did not belive their rag-tag army could effectually fend off these battle hardened troops. They soon settled the conflict be ceding the claimed territory to the crown. Ironically, the heavy handed approach of the regency in the matter of New Spain lead to unrest within the Spanish government resulting in the forced resignation of the regent, Maria Cristina, in 1840. A new liberal government assumed responsibility for the regency for Isabella II. This schism lead to a considerable exodus of conservatives to the new colony of New Spain. The new government seeing this as a convenient means to depressurizing the politics of Madrid, facilitated and encouraged the migration to the colony. By investing considerable self rule powers in the viceroy of New Spain, the conservatives found the political and social climate of the colony much more to their liking. With the discovery of gold in 1848 a great influx soon began.
