The Empresario System
Who was Stephen F. Austin?
Known as the "Father of Texas" because he brought the first group of American settlers to Texas when it was part of Mexico.
What was the Fredonian Rebellion?
A small group of settlers tried to declare independence from Mexico in 1826, but it was quickly stopped.
Who was the first president of the Republic of Texas?
Sam Houston
Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?
African American soldiers who protected settlers and helped control Native American groups on the frontier
What religion did the Spanish bring to Texas?
Catholicism
What is an empresario?
A person who was given land by the Mexican government to bring settlers to Texas.
What was the purpose of the Law of April 6, 1830?
To stop immigration from the U.S. and strengthen Mexican control over Texas.
Which Republic of Texas president wanted Texas to remain independent?
Mirabeau B. Lamar
What was a long cattle drive?
A journey where cowboys moved cattle from Texas to railroads in the North
Why is farming harder in the Mountains and Basins region than in other regions?
Because it has rocky land, little rainfall, and high elevations that make it hard to grow crops.
Why did Mexico want people from the United States to move to Texas?
To increase the population, protect the area from Native attacks, and develop the land.
What did Stephen F. Austin write in his letter that got him arrested?
He suggested Texas should separate from Coahuila and form its own state
Why was annexation into the U.S. important to many Texans?
They wanted protection, help paying off debt, and to be part of a stronger country.
Why might Native Americans have viewed westward expansion differently than settlers?
They were forced off their land, lost buffalo herds, and had to change their way of life, while settlers gained land and wealth.
What happened to the economy of Texas after the Civil War?
It was weakened — slavery ended, cotton production dropped, and transportation was damaged.
Compare how Spain and Mexico tried to settle Texas.
Spain used missions and soldiers, while Mexico used empresarios and land grants.
Was Stephen F. Austin a threat to Mexico? Why or why not?
No, because he wanted to solve problems peacefully and supported following the law. OR Yes, because his letter hinted at breaking away.
How did Houston and Lamar's approaches to Native American relations differ?
Houston wanted peace; Lamar wanted removal through force
If you were a farmer in the late 1800s, would you choose to settle in West Texas or East Texas? Explain.
East Texas had better soil and water; West Texas had more open land but harsher conditions.
What could farmers have done differently to prevent the Dust Bowl?
Use crop rotation, plant windbreak trees, or avoid removing native grasses
What might have happened if Mexico had created more missions instead of using empresarios?
Texas might have stayed more under Mexican control but grown more slowly.
Why did Mier y Terán believe Texas could be a problem for Mexico?
Because Anglo settlers weren’t following Mexican laws or blending in with Mexican culture.
What do you think was the biggest challenge for Texas during early statehood? Explain your answer.
Public debt, border conflicts with Mexico, slavery, Native Americans
What were the long-term effects of fencing land with barbed wire on the open range lifestyle?
It ended cattle drives, limited cowboy life, created property disputes, and led to more organized farming and ranching.
What were the long-term effects of World War I on Texas, and how did they shape the state's future growth and identity?"
World War I helped Texas grow by boosting its economy through oil, cotton, and cattle production. Military bases built during the war made Texas an important training center for future conflicts.
As men went to war, women took on new jobs in factories and offices, which helped start the movement for women’s rights in Texas.