1. Unit 3.2 Notes Part 2: The Colonies Grow
Essential Question: What actions were taken by the Mexican government once it became independent of Spain?

2. Why was SFA so successful as a colonizer?
Cause:
He was a skillful businessman, worked hard, had personal integrity & had knowledge of Spanish language & customs.

3. Effect:
Had 5 total contracts, brought hundreds of families to TX & he received substantial amounts of land.

4. His colonists easily received their titles,
Native Americans became less of a threat,
His grants contained some of the most fertile and best-watered land.

5. Who were other important empresarios?
Green Dewitt: Second most successful empresario
Authorized to bring in 400 families.
Settled west of SFA’s first colony with Gonzales as their headquarters.

6. Martin de Leon
Mexican-born empresario
Settled 200 Mexican families along the Guadalupe River
His wife Patricia de la Garza de León helped founded Victoria in She used her own wealth (dowry) to establish the first church in town.

7. Empresario- Land agent whose job it was to bring new to settlers into an area.
Centralist- Supported a strong Central/National Govt.
Federalist- Believed state govt. and national govt. shared powers.

8. How did the Constitution of 1824 affect Texas?
Federalists overthrew the Centralist govt, and Mexico became a republic, giving the states a voice in the govt.
The Federalists wrote a Constitution in 1824 which combined Texas with Coahuila into one Mexican state – Coahuila y Tejas.
Mexican State of Coahuila y Tejas

9. How did the State Colonization Law of 1825 work?
Coahuila y Tejas passed a State Colonization Law in This law:
Encouraged foreigners to immigrate to TX.
A family received up to 4,428 acres (one league) for $30.
For every 100 colonists brought to TX, an empresario received about 23,000 acres.
The empresario had 6 years to bring in 100 families before a colonization contract was cancelled.

10. How did slavery change in Texas during the Mexican National Era?
TX colonists could bring slaves depending on number brought
Mexico offered full citizenship to free blacks, including land ownership and other privileges
Above: Hendrick Arnold, free black Texan; revolution scout

11. Above: Greenbury Logan, free black Texan, revolution soldier
In 1823:
the Imperial Colonization Law recognized slavery but outlawed slave trading.
Required children of slaves to be freed at age 14.
In 1827:
Coahuila y Tejas outlawed additional slaves and granted freedom to all children born to slaves
Above: Greenbury Logan, free black Texan, revolution soldier

12. What roles did women and education play in Texas?
Women helped build houses, tend livestock, and defend land
Women could not vote, hold public office, or serve on a jury; but could engage in land sales and sue for survivor benefits
Education was provided by private tutors, U.S. schools, or private schools.
Above: Mary Austin Holley, cousin of SFA, see p. 178