chapter 7: the colonization of texas texas will finally be settled by americans!
TRANSCRIPT
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