Chapter 7: The Colonization of Texas

Texas will finally be settled by Americans!

Moses Austin 1820 went to San

Antonio to ask if he could bring American settlers into Texas

Met with Governor Antonio Martinez

Martinez denied him permission at first

His friend Baron de Bastrop knew the Governor and helped negotiate and secured permission

Died 1821 of pneumonia

Stephen F. Austin

The “Father of Texas”

Only age 27 when he fulfilled his father’s dream of bringing American settlers into Texas

Judge and legislator Carried out his

father’s plan to settle Texas…

What is an Empresario?

A “land agent” for business transactions that

acted in various roles: * “real estate agent”

* guide in Texas * Spanish translator* judge/law enforcer

* attorney/mediator in disputes

In 1820, why were Anglos willing to settle in Spanish Texas?

Mexico (and Spain before) wanted to economically grow

They encouraged settlement! U.S. Economic Depression of 1819 in The U.S.

gave many poor farmers in the U.S. an opportunity to come to Texas and start over!

What is an Economic Depression?

Time in which businesses suffer and people lose jobs

…

Mexico Independent From Spain in 1821

S. F. Austin traveled to Texas and then all the way to Mexico City to re-secure permission from the new Mexican government (to bring in American settlers to Texas)

In Mexico City – he found chaos within the

new Mexican government His plan was finally

approved by Mexico because they believed he wanted to be loyal to Mexico

Texas Belonged to Mexico as of 1821…It becomes a MEXICAN STATE

Mexican Texas!American Settlers Began

to Arrive into Texas(1822-1825)

1000’s of American Families Arrived into TEXAS!

1000’s of acres contracted out and

settled!They could pay out their

debt through time…

Mexican Constitution of 1824

Mexico a Republic 19 states Patterned after

the U.S. Created a

President & Congress

Texas was a state with Coahuila; “Coahuila y Tejas”

Federalism

Sharing of power between state(s) and a

national government;Mexico was attempting to be a

Federal Republic – like the United States

Saltillo,Mexico

The Capital of Coahuila y Tejas

then

Austin’s Colony- “The Old Three Hundred”The First 300 Families He Brought In …

San Felipe – 1823

1st Government Center Social,

Economic, and Political Center of Austin’s Colony

Why did Austin choose land between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers?

Fertile soil Water plentiful Natural

resources Mild climate Isolated Easily defended

Austin used advertising to promote his settlement

Problems in Austin’s Colony:

Drought Disagreement

s amongst settlers

Karankawa & Tonkawa raids!

Disease

What were the benefits of using an Empresarios?

They had the best land at the cheapest price They spoke Spanish (settlers did NOT

have to speak Spanish) They knew the Mexican culture They had connections in Mexico; they

arranged all of the business deals The settlers did NOT have to pay cash in

advance for their land (they could pay over time)

Another Empresario – Martin de Leon Did a lot to

promote RANCHING in Texas

Requirements for the new American settlers in Mexican Texas

Swear an oath of allegiance to Spain first – then Mexico when it became independent

Pledge to be Catholic (at first)

Good character; Loyal

No drinking

What was the main livelihood of early settlers to Texas?

Ranching and Farming

By 1828, San Felipe had…

Over 200 people 3 General

Stores 2 taverns

1 hotel 1 school 50 log cabins

So … Why don’t we hear about San Felipe today?

Later, during the Texas Revolution,

San Felipe was abandoned and

burned…

The area is now a part of Stephen F. Austin Historical Park