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 ( )

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 – st 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 Disagreements 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