The Colonies GrowChapter 7, Section 2

Main Idea: As Stephen F. Austin and other empresarios

encouraged settlement in Texas, many groups made important

contributions.

How did the Constitution of 1824affect Texas?

• In 1823 the Federalists overthrew the Centralist government, and Mexico became a republic, giving the states a voice in government.

• 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

How did the Mexican Colonization Laws of 1824 regulate land

settlements?

•Limited the amount of land anyone could receive

•Permitted only permanent residents to acquire land

•States now granted empresario land contracts. •People began leaving for Saltillo, capital of Coahuila y Tejas.

Flag of Saltillo in Mexican State of Coahuila y Tejas

How did the State Colonization Law of 1825 work?

• Coahuila y Tejas passed a State Colonization Law in 1825. This law:

– Encouraged foreigners to immigrate to Texas

– A family received up to 4,428 acres (one league) for $30.

– For every 100 colonists brought to Texas, an empresario received about 23,000 acres.

– The empresario had 6 years to bring in 100 families before a colonization contract was cancelled.

Why was SFA so successful as a colonizer?

• Cause: • He was a skillful

businessman.• He worked hard.• He had personal

integrity.• He had knowledge of

Spanish language and customs.

Why was SFA so successful as a colonizer?

• Effect: • He had 5 total contracts• He brought hundreds of

families to Texas• He received substantial

amounts of land.

Why did SFA’s Colonies Succeed?

• Austin’s business skills with Mexican authorities

• 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.

Other Empresarios• Green Dewitt

• Second most successful empresario

• Authorized to bring in 400 families.

• Settled west of Austin’s first colony with Gonzales as their headquarters.

• By 1831, he had issued 166 land titles.

Other Empresarios

• Martin de Leon• Mexican-born empresario

• Settled 200 Mexican families along the Guadalupe River

• His wife Patricia de la Garza de León helped found Victoria in 1824. She used her own wealth (dowry) to establish the first church in town.

How did slavery change in Texas during the Mexican National Era?

• In 1821-22:– Texas 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

How did slavery change in Texas during the Mexican National Era?

• 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

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

#throwbackthursday:Erasmo Seguin

• A leading citizen of San Antonio who escorted Stephen F. Austin to see Governor Martinez

• Why did SFA make a trip to Mexico city in 1821?