LESSON 3 The People of Colonial Texas

Reviewing Lesson 2 1. Contrast the beliefs about government of the Centralists and Federalists. 2. Categorizing Why is the period of Texas history that included the settling of the area by empresarios called the Mexican National era? 3. Identifying Identify the effects of the Mexican federal Constitution of 1824 on Texas. 4. Analyzing How did Mexico’s State Colonization Law of 1825 reflect the ideas of the Federalist government? 5. Making Connections Identify the factors that made Stephen F. Austin a successful empresario during the settlement of Texas. 6. Analyzing What groups settled Texas under the empresarios? Why did they come?

ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why do people make economic choices? Texas was colonized by various groups and peoples, not all of whom came willingly.

The Old Three Hundred Who were the men and women of Stephen F. Austin’s first colony? Austin’s colony was a model for those to follow: These first 300 families are sometimes called the “Old Three Hundred.” Austin’s first colonists faced special challenges, or difficulties. They had to figure out for themselves how to survive in the frontier. After all, few people came before them. As pioneers, they were among the first people to settle the area.

A Select Group Austin’s colonist were farmers, from the south -- Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. Austin attempted to choose the right settlers. Many of the richer farmers from the southern who brought along slaves.

The Earliest Settlers The Old Three Hundred were able to choose good farmland along the Brazos, Colorado, and San Jacinto Rivers. Some settled along smaller streams, including Oyster Creek and Buffalo Bayou. Some members of the Old Three Hundred were already living in Texas before Austin started his colony. They moved to Austin’s land after his arrival, for example Jane Long who bought land in Austin’s colony and ran a boarding house in the town of Brazoria.

The Old Three Hundred Main Ideas The first group of families to settle in Texas is referred to as the Old Three Hundred. Many of these families were wealthy, educated farmers from other Southern states. These first settlers made lasting impacts on the social, political, and economic development of Texas. 7

Defining  What does the phrase “the Old Three Hundred” mean?

The People Who Settled Texas  Why did people come to settle in Texas during the Mexican National era? Texas’s population continued to increase. The land policies of the Mexican government brought thousands of farmers and other settlers from the United States and other parts of the world. The Mexican government organized Texas into three departments, or territories, to better govern the land. These departments were Béxar, Brazos, and Nacogdoches. Austin’s and DeWitt’s colonies were in Brazos.

Why They Came The early settlers had a number of reasons for coming to Texas. Most were farmers who would benefit, or gain, from the cheap land offered by the government of Mexico. Some settlers had money and owned property, but others came to Texas to avoid debts they owed. Many early settlers came for the adventure.

A Mix of People In 1834 the Mexican government had a census. Most of these Anglo Americans came from the southern United States. A large number of immigrants were African Americans, slaves who were brought here. The great majority of the Department of Béxar were of Mexican heritage. That department included the older towns of San Antonio and Goliad, as well as Martín De León’s colony.

Slavery The Southern farmers brought many enslaved African Americans into Texas. They used slave labor to grow cotton crops and to do other tasks. The Imperial Colonization Law outlawed the buying and selling of people. However, it did not prevent colonists from holding enslaved persons. Mexico passed a law ending slavery in 1829. The Mexican law ending slavery was not enforced in Mexican Texas , however this may have slowed the growth of slavery here. About 150 free African Americans lived in Texas by 1836.

The People Who Settled Texas Main Ideas The population of Texas increased steadily, and the colonies were divided into three administrative departments. The first of colonists in 1834 showed that there was a majority of Anglo Americans, a large number of African Americans, as well as people native to Mexico. Slavery came to Texas with Austin’s colonists. The practice of slaveholding continued even after Mexico passed a law banning it.

Making Connections How did Mexico’s ban on slavery in 1829 affect Texas? Use the words who, what, when, and where to ask questions about the people who settled Texas. Use the words you know in the questions.

Women, Children, and Everyday Life in Texas What contributions did women make to the settlement of Texas? The women of colonial Texas played important roles in settling the area. Women often led lives of hardship and adventure with their families and communities.

Women’s Duties and Limited Rights Life could be difficult. It took hard work to plant and harvest crops, to build homes, and to care for livestock, women often had to do these jobs alone when men were away. Women had the additional responsibilities child rearing (of giving birth to children and caring for them.) Their other work included cooking, cleaning, sewing, spinning yarn, and growing food for the family. They did all this without running water and sometimes without a good house to live in. Women of colonial Texas did not have the same rights as men under the law.

Educating Children Public education was not paid for by the state government of Coahuila y Tejas. Wealthy colonists sent their children to schools in the United States, or they hired private teachers. Colonies often started their own schools to teach children.

African American women lacked rights as well as their freedom. Women, Children, and Everyday Life in Texas Main Ideas Women living in the Texas colonies had many responsibilities, but they had few rights. African American women lacked rights as well as their freedom. Some women made a name for themselves in the colonies either for their economic or educational contributions. There were no public schools run by the state in Texas, but many colonies started their own schools.

Identifying What rights were the women of colonial Texas denied?

1. Define the word repeal and use it in a sentence related to the lesson content. 2. Describing Describe the leadership qualities of Stephen F. Austin in dealing with Mexico. 3. Sequencing List the following events in the correct sequence: Tenorio surrenders; Travis marches to Anahuac; General Cós rejects apology; Briscoe is arrested. 4. Identifying Points of View Describe the points of view of the two opposing groups at the time of the Consultation. 5. Identifying What was a major factor in Austin’s decision to approve the Consultation?

Choose the point of view of one of the two parties at the Consultation. Write a persuasive letter to a friend who is uncommitted about the meeting, pointing out the advantages of your party’s position. Mention the events of the period in your argument.