7. A short-lived effort to stand up to the imperial aspirations of Mexico’s first president and dictator, Santa Anna, the Republic of the Rio Grande was failed by an arrogant and duplicitous commander-in-chief
Akin to the Republic of Yucatán, following the shift towards a centralized government by General Santa Anna in 1833, regional concerns regarding the condition of the fledgling Mexican republic were widespread. In response to Santa Anna’s suspension of the Constitution of 1824, as well as his dissolution of Congress and conversion of elected assemblies into military juntas, Antonio Canales called a convention in Laredo which voted to uphold the constitution. Raising an army, the republicans defeated the Mexican forces at Mier and soon after, on January 17, 1840, formally announced their secession and formation of a new republic.
Although aided by Texas, the Republic of the Rio Grande faced insurmountable opposition. With most of the government fleeing to Texas for sanctuary, Canales refused and instead resolved to meet Mexico in battle. Overwhelmed and outnumbered, the arrogant revolutionary lost the bulk of his forces and was forced to retreat into exile. Rebuilding his army and seeking to reconquer the lost republic, Canales secretly engaged in negotiations with Santa Anna’s representative General Arista. Surrendering on November 6, 1840, Canales accepted a pardon and a position as an officer within Anna’s army. With the loss of its commander-in-chief, the republic swiftly fell.