Mexico's Independence
Who ruled Texas before Mexico gained independence?
Spain
What were settlers required to become in order to live in Mexican Texas?
Mexican citizens
Who is known as the “Father of Texas”?
Stephen F. Austin
What is an empresario?
A land agent who brought settlers to Texas.
What type of houses did many Texas settlers build?
Log cabins
What year did Mexico win its independence from Spain?
1821
What religion were settlers expected to follow in Mexico?
Catholicism
Who received permission from Spain to bring the first American settlers to Texas?
Moses Austin
What did settlers receive for joining an empresario colony?
Cheap or free land
What was one job most settlers had?
Farming
Why did Mexico want settlers to come to Texas after gaining independence?
To help populate the area and protect the land.
What was one common hardship settlers faced in colonies?
Harsh weather, disease, or lack of supplies
What did empresarios do?
They brought settlers to Texas and started colonies.
Why did the Mexican government like the empresario system?
It helped settle Texas without the government paying a lot of money.
Why did settlers form small communities?
Safety, trading, and helping one another
What document gave Mexico its new government structure after independence?
The Mexican Constitution of 1824
Why did settlers build their homes near water sources?
For drinking water, farming, and transportation
Who was the first Mexican empresario?
Martin de Leon
What did settlers have to promise to Mexico in return for land?
Loyalty to Mexico, obey its laws, and follow the Catholic faith.
What was a common reason families moved to Texas?
To get land and a fresh start
What was one major problem Mexico faced after winning independence?
Weak economy and trouble controlling Texas due to distance.
What was the main crop grown by many Texas colonists?
Cotton
Which empresario started the most successful colony in Texas?
Stephen F. Austin
Why did some empresarios fail?
They could not attract enough settlers or had conflicts with Native groups.
What forms of transportation were used by settlers?
Wagons, horses, and walking