1. Life in the Texas Republic
Subtitle

2. Homestead Act of 1839
Many settlers of the early 1800s owed the U.S. debts
Stephen F. Austin was able to get laws passed that protected land grants from seizure by creditors
The Republic of Texas continued this with the Homestead Act of 1839
Safeguarded land up to 50 acres and the homestead from creditors
Homestead – family’s home and land

3. Immigration
Immigration agents – person licensed and paid in land or money to bring settlers into a country
Texas wanted to increase population by bringing more immigrants
German Emigration Company – Germany had a surplus of laborers – encouraged emigration
New markets for both countries
Financial failure but brought over more than 7,000 immigrants to Texas
New Braunfels, Fredericksburg

4. Hardships Resources were a draw Rivers, farmland, new towns Hardships
Native raids were a problem
Disease
Harsh weather conditions
Those that survived where influential in Texas
Architecture
Design and layout of towns
Music
Social traditions

5. Towns of Texas In the Northeast
Towns established along rivers; i.e., Dallas along the Trinity
Steamboats carried goods
Natural resources and geographic features encouraged settlement
Salt mines
Southeast
Moving lumber and corps along rivers helped to establish towns
Natives
Discouraged settlement in the west
Waco was an exception – Scottish immigrant settled in 1845

6. Minorities Mexican Texans Free African Americans
During the Republic Mexicans migrated into Central and southern Texas; They were previously further west and at the southern border
Maintained culture; took part in politics
Friction between Tejanos and Anglo communities was common
Anglo Americans viewed Tejanos with suspicion and prejudice
Some lands were taken from them by force; courts would return land but sometimes wouldn’t
Free African Americans
Population very small; moved to Texas in the 1820s – Mexican law allowed full citizenship
William Goyens – Came from N. Carolina – Blacksmith
Served as an interpreter to Sam Houston during Texas Revolution with Natives in East Texas
Became wealthy with real estate endeavors
After Revolution - rights for AA were restricted –
Denied citizenship
Right to marry limited
Could not gain permanent residence without government approval
Those entering after independence from Mexico must leave within two years or lose freedom
Some gained permission to stay – Goyens included

7. Agriculture Farms Plantations Small Family Farms less common
Most farms – didn’t rely heavily on slaves
Land was mostly dedicated to subsistence crops – fed the family living on the homestead
Corn was a major crop for Texas
Small farmers usually set aside a few acres for cash crops – crops grown for sale; cotton most common
Livestock was raised on small farms
less common
Large amounts of cash crops
Cotton and sugarcane most common
Slavery was relied upon
Planted, tended and harvest crops
Most cotton plantations were located in lower Colorado, Brazos and Trinity River areas – best soil
Main sugarcane production areas was Brazoria County

8. Ranching
Began with the Spanish – brought cattle, horses, sheep and other livestock
Cattle Ranching
Spanish in Texas began to drive herds to New Orleans in the late 1700s
Anglos copied Spanish styles – saddles, equipment and herding practices
Good alternative to farming
Important industry during the Republic – Longhorn, mix of Spanish and English cattle – hardy breed; resistance to disease
Sheep and Goat Ranching
In the beginning, the Spanish raised for meat
American settlers revived the industry after it dwindled with the Spanish
Produced more for wool

9. Slavery
Early Republic – about 5,000 enslaved African Americans; by 1845, about 30,000
Cash crops – relied on slaves
Allowed for the economy to grow
Work – Cotton plantations and sugar cane fields; house slaves
Some skilled – blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers
Provided basics – food, clothing and shelter; little else
Lived in small, dirt-floored cabins
Attempted to maintain a social life; music, religion, families
Family members could be sold
Denied basic human rights

10. Industry Agriculture – main industry Growth of towns – needed services
Population growth = need for more farmers = need for specialized equipment = need for blacksmiths
Growth of towns – needed services
Doctors, lawyers, teachers, ministers and other professionals
Needed lumber for homes and stores = sawmills
Needed more grain = gristmills
Cattle industry grew
Used all parts of cattle – hides, tallow (fat), meat

11. Transportation Travelers – by foot, horseback, wagons, stagecoach
Stagecoach – more expensive; carried passengers, parcels and mail
Most popular prior to railroad construction
Waterways
Crossings – ferries: carried wagons and people across water
Steamboats – carried passengers and freight; larger rivers
Railroads
Required money – Republic couldn’t afford it
Possible after Statehood (1850s)
Communication
Mail, newspapers
Telegraph – 1840s – opened in Texas in 1854

12. Social Life Social life even in Isolation Women
Many families lived on ranches or farms – spread far apart from one another
Gathered for corn husking parties
House raising
Hunting and fishing
Women
Made quilts – quilting bees
Dancing; polkas, boleros, waltzes
Wealthy – ballroom style
Fiestas – religious and cultural traditions
Religion – Catholicism a big part of history
Immigration brought variety
Health & Education
Few trained doctors – lived in towns; rare in rural communities
First hospital in Texas – Galveston 1851
Lamar set aside land for public education system – no system in place until much later (1876)
Education – home or private teachers