Anglo Colonization & Road to RevolutionLeading to Texas Revolution

Americans Move West

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

Americans move West

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.

Americans move West

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.

Texas Neutral Ground

Adams-Onis Treaty

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.

Adams-Onis Treaty

Moses Austin

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.

Moses Austin

Stephen F. Austin

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.

Stephen F. Austin

Stephen F. Austin

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.

Stephen F. Austin

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.

Stephen F. Austin

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.

Other Empresarios

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.

Gone To Texas G.T.T.

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

Gone to Texas G.T.T.

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

Reasons for Colonization in Texas

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.