 Key Concepts: Population Growth, Primary Occupations, Advances in Commerce and Transportation  The Impact Today: Settlement patterns begun in the day of the Republic and Early Statehood period can be seen today in the regions of Texas. The German influence in the Hill Country and the “Old South” culture of East Texas both emerged during this period.

 : population tripled  Homestead Act (1839) protected a family’s home, tools, and land from seizure for not paying debts  Immigrant agents settled families from Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois and European colonists from France, Switzerland, Germany

 The German Emigration Company settled about 7,000 German immigrants  Prince Carl of Solms- Braunfels and John O. Meusebach established several towns such as New Braunfels and Fredericksburg Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels

 Mid-1840s – Slaves were 30% of population  Worked on farms and plantations or as skilled laborers  Rebelled by withholding cooperation, breaking tools, feigning illness, or running away  Free African Americans petitioned to remain free, but most were denied

 Most Texans farmed or ranched (raised cattle)  Corn and Cotton grown  Wild cattle roamed South and East Texas  New immigrants formed new towns

 More people into Texas meant more skilled professionals with multiple jobs….they farmed or ranched and were… Doctors Lawyers Ministers Salesman Midwives

 Industries built near major roads or rivers  Over time Texans built sawmills, tanneries, brickyards, factories, etc.  Creative leaders like Gail Borden, Jr. promoted small business Invented meat biscuit Developed process for making condensed milk Gail Borden, Jr.

 Most goods transported by mule/oxen drawn freight wagons  Stagecoach was popular but expensive  Steamboat travel was limited b/c of crooked rivers to navigate  Railroads supported financially by state  Telegraph lines and newspapers provided current information

 Dancing and hispanic “Fiestas” popularized  1854: Governor Elisha M. Pease set aside $2 million as permanent school fund  Religious diversity grew Methodists – most gains Baptists Presbyterians Jewish Catholic Elisha M. Pease

 Annexation, lure of cheap land, legalized slavery attracted settlers  Mexicans, Americans, and Germans were largest ethnic groups  Other European arrivals Ireland England France Poland Czechoslovakia Norway