Age of Empresario The Colonies Grow p.172

The Constitution of 1824 In 1823, Mexican emperor Augustin de Iturbide was overthrown. Federalists, people who believe in sharing power between the states and national government, formed a new government. Their opponents, Centralists, believed that power should be concentrated in the national government of Mexico City. The Federalists wrote a constitution that divided the nation into 19 states and 4 territories. Texas and Coahuila were united as one state.

How State Colonization Laws Worked In 1825 a law stating foreigners were invited to immigrate to Texas. Colonists had to show evidence of good moral character. They must be Roman Catholic, however the Mexican authorities did not bother settlers who practiced other religions because there was a shortage of Catholic priests.

How State Colonization Laws Worked Most settlers came to Texas as part of an empresario contract for 2 reasons: 1. Most settlers could not speak Spanish and therefore had trouble getting title to their land without an empresario’s help. 2. Most desirable lands were held by an empresario.

Why Austin’s Colonies Succeeded Stephen F. Austin was the most successful empresario because: He dealt successfully with Mexican authorities. Austin’s contract included land with fertile soil for growing cotton He made it easy to get land

Why Come to Texas? Cheap land Fresh land for cotton growing—land in the east was worn out Land was well watered Lumber for homes and fuel Roads and rivers provided transportation Allowed slavery, but not slave trading