Schemers and Dreamers: Filibustering in Mexico, 1848-1921

In the mid-nineteenth century various groups formed north of the border to invade Mexico. They were called filibusters (from the Dutch vribuiter, meaning pirate or free booty). The Mexican government saw these invasions as a threat to sovereignty. To Mexico it was significant that the groups recruited, organized, and plotted their entradas from the United States in full view of the U.S. government even as newspapers in both countries published dozens of articles about the endeavors.

There we...