2.  After the U.S. gained its independence, many Anglo settlers wanted to move west › Spain was worried about the number of Anglos so they offered land to those who would promise to become Catholics and pledge allegiance to Spain › They did this through Empresarios  Empresarios- people who made arrangements for other to settle in a place

3.  Many settlers came without Spanish Permission › Filibusters- person who participates in rebellious activity in a foreign country  Neutral Ground Agreement › U.S. and Spain shared a border after the LA Purchase and border arguments occurred › They made an agreement that a zone between the Sabine River and the Arroyo Hondo would be neutral.

4.  The Neutral zone created an area for lawless citizens › The U.S. sent Augustus Magee to gain control › After gaining control of the neutral zone Magee retired and joined Bernardo Gutierrez to try to fight for Texas independence from Spain › Their forces won a few battles even after the deaths of Magee and Gutierrez. The rebels were defeated in 1813, but the idea of a free Texas began.

6.  The treaty started with Andrew Jackson’s fighting Natives in Florida. › Spain was upset with the U.S. but they made an agreement to give Florida to the U.S. and made the Sabine River the Texas border. › Many U.S. settlers were upset the treaty affected them moving west › Many settlers ignored this treaty.

8.  Moses planned to start a colony in Texas with 300 settlers from the U.S. › Spain feared people trying to take over and rejected his plan › With help from the Baron de Bastrop Moses got his plan accepted. › On his way back North, he became ill and was dying. He asked his son Stephen to take over his colonization.

10.  At 27 years old he took over his fathers vision for settling Texas. › He chose the land between the Lavaca and San Jacinto rivers.  This land was flat enough to be able to clear, but it received enough rainfall to raise crops. › As an educated man, S.F.A. made many decisions that helped the colony succeed.

12.  Once the land was chosen, Austin started to recruit settlers to come to Texas. › He started by recruiting settlers from New Orleans › He knew that he must recruit workers who would work hard and be willing to convert to Catholicism.

13.  Austin faced his biggest challenge in 1822. › With Mexico now in control of Texas, SFA had to get his colony approved by Mexico  Austin learned to speak Spanish and became friendly with the Mexican officials. › His colony was approved under the new laws of 1823 and 1824. › He also made colonists free from taxes.

14.  Austin’s leadership made it possible for the colonies to be successful.  His settlement, at the west bank of the Brazos River was called San Felipe de Austin. › Because of his leadership many people started to call him the Father of Texas.

15.  Green DeWitt is known as the second most important empresario. › His capital was based in Gonzales, and had about 170 families.  Martin de Leon was another important empresario. He settled near the coast and founded the city of Victoria in 1824 with 200 Mexican families.

16.  Empresarios made it easy to move to Texas › G.T.T. was seen on many abandoned cabins › Land could be purchased for 12.5 cents an acre › Many people moved to Texas from other countries as well  Germans, Irish, Polish, Mexican, and Africans moved to Texas

17.  Many Africans moved to Texas as well. › Slavery was outlawed in Mexico in 1829  This law was ignored by many Americans  Settlers had many challenges › Disease › Not enough doctors › Conflict with natives › Tension with Mexican government

18.  Spanish- To protect their territory they had claimed with the conquistadors using missions.  Anglos- Cheap land, a new start, escape debt and to leave a crowded US.  Mexicans- Increase population.