1. Anglo Colonization of Texas
G.T.T “Gone to Texas”
Anglo Colonization of Texas

2. Vocabulary Terms
Anglo American – a person whose ancestors moved from Europe and live in the U.S.
Empresario – An agent who makes all arrangements to bring settlers to a colony
Tejano – a person of Mexican descent living in Texas

3. Moses Austin
Moved to George Morgan’s colony in present-day Missouri to run a lead mine
Lost fortune during the Panic of 1819
Decided that helping colonists locate in Texas was the best way to make money and pay off his debts

4. Moses’ Plan
He wanted to bring 300 families from the United States into Texas to begin a colony.
Spanish officials were suspicious at first, Moses traveled 800 miles to get approval. He was originally rejected… With the help of Baron de Bastrop in San Antonio, he would eventually get approval.
Austin returned to the east to begin recruiting colonists while awaiting approval when he became ill. He learned from Erasmo Seguín his plan had been approved while on his deathbed.
Asked that his son, Stephen, carry out his dream of bringing U.S. settlers to Texas

5. Stephen F. Austin “The Father of Texas”
Stephen F. Austin dropped his plans for a legal career and went to Texas to fulfill his father’s wishes.
He visited San Antonio de Bexar and met with the governor, who had assigned Erasmo Seguin to help Austin.
In August 1821, Governor Martinez legally transferred Moses Austin’s grant to Stephen.

6. Major Empresario Land Grants Coahuila y Tejas 1825-1832
Next, Austin chose the site for his colony. He decided on the land between the Lavaca and San Jacinto Rivers. Includes Brazos & Colorado
Not heavily forested so easy to clear
Received enough rain for crops

7. Americans Coming to Texas Why Did They Come?
Spain had first opened Texas to Anglo-Americans in 1820, one year before Mexico claimed independence from Spain. Its traditional policy forbade foreigners in its territory, but Spain was unable to persuade its own citizens to move to the far-away “wilderness” of Texas.
Mostly, people were willing to come for the cheap and abundant land - 1 acre in USA = $1.25 / 1 acre in Texas = $.04-$.12
Some were escaping problems in the United States and some were purely seeking adventure and personal gain

8. Searching for Colonists
Austin knew that the success of the colony depended on the character of the colonists. The terms of the empresarial grant stated that colonists had to be…
Persons of good character
Catholic or willing to become Catholic.
They were also required to pledge loyalty to Spain
Settlers began to arrive in these families were known as the “Old Three Hundred”
Farmers = 177 acres
Ranchers (raise livestock) = 4,428 acres
Essential Question:
What was the difference between Spanish settlements in the 1700’s and Anglo settlements in the 1800’s like the ones established by Austin and other empresarios?

9. Spanish settlements in the 1700’s consisted of missions and trading posts
Most Anglo settlements in 1800’s Texas were
permanent farming and ranching communities on huge grants of land

10. Austin = Great Leadership
Biggest challenge came in Austin learned that Mexico had gained independence from Spain in September of 1821.
The grant had been issued by Spain, therefore he now needed permission from Mexican officials for the colony
Traveled to Mexico City to obtain approval - took a year
While there he learned Spanish and gained trust of Mexican leaders. Awarded grants under the national colonization laws of 1823 and 1824
Established his capital on the west bank of the Brazos River, it was named San Felipe de Austin.
Austin was the colonists’ main representative to Mexican officials, he translated laws and communicated government policies to the settlers
The colony prospered due to Austin’s leadership
Known as the “Father of Texas”

11. Other Empresarios Austin was the first Empresario but not the only one
Other Empresarios Austin was the first Empresario but not the only one. By 1830 about 30 people had also brought settlers to Texas.
Green DeWitt
DeWitt/Kerr 400 families next to Austin’s colony
Contract not met
No school/Church
2nd in numbers success although huge struggles
Martín De León
Native Mexican
Navarro is land commissioner
Mexican settlers
W/Austin only to fulfill contract
Founded cattle industry

13. Hardships Disease was one of the most common challenges
Few doctors and most had little medical training.
Native American attacks
Stephen F. Austin formed a small militia to ride throughout the colony and prevent raiding parties.
Patrol was later organized into the Texas Rangers.
Tension develops between the colonists and the Mexican government
Conflicts would lead to the colonists’ demand for independence

14. By 1830’s Texas had a population greater than 20,000 people and was growing. Cotton and Cattle industries were beginning to grow rapidly as well.

16. Open Door to Texas
Because of the empresarios, many people began moving into Texas.
The inscription G.T.T. (Gone To Texas) became a common sight on abandoned cabins.
“Gone to Texas”  was a phrase used by Americans immigrating to Texas in the 19th century often to escape debt incurred during the Panic of 1819.
After Davy Crockett was narrowly defeated for re-election in Tennessee, he famously said, "You may all go to h***, and I will go to Texas," and followed through on that pledge.
Most settlers that came emigrated from the U.S. but some came from Mexico and Europe.
Large population of Tejanos settled in San Antonio de Bexar.
Powerful Tejanos in Texas include Erasmo and Juan Seguin, Lorenzo de Zavala, and Jose Antonio Navarro
African American population of Texas grew as well.
Slavery was illegal in Mexico after 1829 but law was not enforced
Mexican law offered protection and legal rights to free African Americans.