Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-1974
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
Dr. Porter A. Stratton
Second Advisor
Dr. James Irby
Third Advisor
Dr. Hubert J. Miller
Abstract
The banditry in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas which began in 1912 and lasted until 1920 has been attributed to the Mexican Revolution, World War I, and prohibition. A fourth cause, the lawlessness that existed in the Valley prior to 1912, has been neglected by historians. The lawlessness was a result of the laxity and ineffective administration of law and order in the Valley. Criminal court records from Cameron, Hidalgo, and Starr Counties revealed that approximately 80 percent of all persons charged with cattle and horse theft, assault with intent to commit murder, or murder were exonerated. The unwarranted disregard for constitution law and rights by the Texas Rangers, deputy sheriffs, and other local officials in their handling of Mexicans suspected of violating the law contributed to the violence of the era. Thus, lawlessness also encouraged the Mexicans of the Valley to begin their revolt in 1912.
1981 Dissertation: The influence of the Mexican revolution on the Mexico-Texas border, 1910-1916
Granting Institution
Pan American University
Comments
Copyright 1974 Rodolfo Rocha. All Rights Reserved.
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