On November 15, 1859, the New York Daily Tribune warned of an \"outlaw\" threatening Texas with \"fire and sword.\" This \"outlaw,\" Juan Cortina, is a fascinating figure in Mexican American history because he raided South Texas with his followers nicknamed the Cortinistas. A congressional inquiry would later name Juan's raid and the multiple ensuing battles the \"Cortina Troubles.\" Over the next 150 years, Juan's legacy became a contentious topic among historians because the initial newspaper reports described him as a violent \"bandit,\" a description maintained by early 20th century historians. This thesis provides a brief overview of the shifting perception of Juan and his mother María who was an influential Anebellum-era Tejano civil rights advocate. It also provides context to the argument that scholars need to reevaluate their approach to Juan by considering how he defined himself. While such a project produces a clearer picture of Juan Cortina, a significant actor in antebellum Texas, even more importantly, it helps us better understand the ways in which identity is a contested concept in the southwest borderlands.
"},{"label":"Degree","value":["Bachelor of Arts with Departmental Honors"]},{"label":"Author-supplied Keywords","value":["Revolutionary movement","Antebellum-era identity politics","Tejano culture"]},{"label":"Administrative Note","value":"Drupal Node ID: 24213