| Summary: | By 1830, it was clear that the silver economy that made New Spain rich had collapsed and would not soon recover. Mexico’s commercial economy languished and the government searched for revenue. Debates followed. Lucas Alaman argued that a revival of silver and the rise of industry would bring growth and fund government. Tadeo Ortiz insisted that Mexico become a commodity exporter—noting that strong exporters relied on slave labor. After the loss of Texas, the early 1840s saw Alaman defend his industrial vision while the liberal editors of Siglo xix published a British analysis calling for export development in California as a British-Mexican venture. An anonymous analyst, JG, closed debate in 1845, insisting that limited mining, industry for national markets, and modest exports (Mexicans would not abide slavery) were the only way. Then came war and the loss of California.
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