Pioneer Life Pioneer - open up an area or prepare a way Population Growth p

The Republic Attracts Immigrants Many Americans moved into Texas between 1836 and Many Americans moved into Texas between 1836 and The enslaved population increased at an even faster rate – from 5,000 in 1836 to about 38,000 in The enslaved population increased at an even faster rate – from 5,000 in 1836 to about 38,000 in Texas awarded land to settlers, but the settlers were not required to live on the land and sometimes sold it to speculators. Texas awarded land to settlers, but the settlers were not required to live on the land and sometimes sold it to speculators. Congress passed the Homestead Act which protected a family’s home, tools, and 50 acres of land from seizure for nonpayment of debts. Congress passed the Homestead Act which protected a family’s home, tools, and 50 acres of land from seizure for nonpayment of debts.

Immigrant Agents Bring Settlers Congress granted contract to immigrant agents – people paid in land or money to relocate settlers to an area – to bring colonists to TX. Congress granted contract to immigrant agents – people paid in land or money to relocate settlers to an area – to bring colonists to TX. Three of the most successful agents were: Three of the most successful agents were: W.S. Peters and Associates – Red River to present – day Dallas W.S. Peters and Associates – Red River to present – day Dallas Henri Castro – Southwest Texas Henri Castro – Southwest Texas German Emigration Company (Adelsverein) – North of San Antonio German Emigration Company (Adelsverein) – North of San Antonio

Slavery Continues in Texas The Mexican government had discouraged slavery, but did nothing to stop it. The Mexican government had discouraged slavery, but did nothing to stop it. The Republic of Texas made no efforts to limit slavery so slavery increased. The Republic of Texas made no efforts to limit slavery so slavery increased. Most slaves worked on farms and plantations, but some labored in towns as blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers, or other crafts. Most slaves worked on farms and plantations, but some labored in towns as blacksmiths, carpenters, bricklayers, or other crafts. Slaves were denied the most basic human rights and subject to physical and emotional abuse. Slaves were denied the most basic human rights and subject to physical and emotional abuse. Slaveholders believed that cotton production depended upon slave labor. Slaveholders believed that cotton production depended upon slave labor.

Free African Americans Build Lives Several hundred free African Americans lived in Texas before the Civil War. Several hundred free African Americans lived in Texas before the Civil War. William Goynes served as an interpreter of Native Americans during the revolution and became a successful businessman. William Goynes served as an interpreter of Native Americans during the revolution and became a successful businessman. In 1840 the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed a law allowing free African Americans to petition for the right to remain in Texas. In 1840 the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed a law allowing free African Americans to petition for the right to remain in Texas. Mary Madison, a nurse and free African American, submitted a petition. Her request was one of the few granted. Mary Madison, a nurse and free African American, submitted a petition. Her request was one of the few granted. Though most petitions were denied, free people stayed anyway. Though most petitions were denied, free people stayed anyway.

Mexican Texans Face Tensions Many new Anglo settlers after the revolution assumed that all Tejanos had opposed the war for independence. Many new Anglo settlers after the revolution assumed that all Tejanos had opposed the war for independence. Anglo settlers often held racial and religious prejudices against Tejanos. Some Anglo settlers used force to take the land from Mexican settlers. Anglo settlers often held racial and religious prejudices against Tejanos. Some Anglo settlers used force to take the land from Mexican settlers. Juan Seguin, who had led troops at San Jacinto and was mayor of San Antonio, sought refuge in Mexico for a few years. He felt as if he was “ a foreigner in my native land.” Juan Seguin, who had led troops at San Jacinto and was mayor of San Antonio, sought refuge in Mexico for a few years. He felt as if he was “ a foreigner in my native land.”