1. Anglo Colonization of Texas
G.T.T “Gone to Texas”
Anglo Colonization of Texas

2. Vocabulary Terms
Anglo American – a person who lives in the U.S. whose ancestors moved from Europe.
Empresario – An agent who makes all arrangements to bring settlers to a colony
Tejano – a person of Mexican descent living in Texas

3. Background Info… Americans Move West
After the United States gained freedom from Great Britain in 1783, Anglo Americans began searching for new areas to settle.

4. Moses Austin
It was my idea…all mine!
Operated a lead mine in Missouri, lost his fortune, had a lot of debt.
Decided that helping colonists locate in Texas was the best way to make money and pay off his debts

5. Mose’s Plan
Traveled 800 miles to Texas from Missouri in 1821 with the plan to bring 300 U.S. families to Texas to establish a colony…. He first needed permission form the Spanish government.
Spanish officials were suspicious and originally said NO!, However, Moses knew people… people higher up that could ask for him.
Confident that he would get approval, Austin returned to the east to begin recruiting colonists while awaiting approval when he became ill.
He learned his plan had been approved while on his deathbed.
Asked that his son, Stephen, carry out his dream of bringing U.S. settlers to Texas

6. Stephen F. Austin “The Father of Texas”
At age 27, Stephen F. Austin dropped his plans for a legal career and went to Texas to fulfill his father’s wishes.
He visited San Antonio de Bexar and met with the Spanish governor there. Moses Austin’s empresario grant was transferred to Stephen’s name.
Yup…
He thinks he’s so cool when he hangs out under this tree

7. Not heavily forested so easy to clear Received enough rain for crops
Major Empresario Land Grants Coahuila y Tejas
Anybody want to go to Texas?
Me! Me! Me! I got no place else to go!
Meh…
Next, Austin chose the site for his colony. He decided on the land between the Lavaca and San Jacinto Rivers. Established his capital on the west bank of the Brazos River, it was named San Felipe de Austin.
Not heavily forested so easy to clear
Received enough rain for crops

8. Americans Coming to Texas Why Did They Come?
Spain had first opened Texas to Anglo-Americans in 1820, one year before Mexico claimed independence from Spain. Its traditional policy didn’t allow foreigners in its territory, but Spain was unable to persuade its own citizens to move to the far-away “wilderness” of Texas.
Mostly, people were willing to come for the cheap and abundant land - 1 acre in USA = $1.25 / 1 acre in Texas = $.04-$.12
Some were escaping problems in the United States and some were purely seeking adventure and personal gain (W.B.T.)

9. Searching for Colonists
Austin knew that the success of the colony depended on the character of the colonists. He traveled to New Orleans to recruit future colonists in Texas. He was looking for people willing to accept hard times and that would provide for themselves.
The official terms (Spain says…) of the empresarial grant stated that colonists had to be
1. Persons of good character
2. Catholic or willing to become Catholic.
3. They were also required to pledge loyalty to Spain
Settlers began to arrive in these families were known as the “Old Three Hundred” and they could get…
Farmers = 177 acres
Ranchers (raise livestock) = 4,428 acres
Essential Question:
What was the difference between Spanish settlements in the 1700’s and Anglo settlements in the 1800’s like the ones established by Austin and other empresarios?

10. Spanish settlements in the 1700’s consisted of missions, presidios and trading posts all centered around the missions/churches.
Most Anglo settlements in 1800’s Texas were permanent farming and ranching communities on huge grants of land

11. Hardships Disease was one of the most common challenges
Few doctors and most had little medical training.
Native American attacks
Stephen F. Austin formed a small militia to ride throughout the colony and prevent raiding parties.
Patrol was later organized into the Texas Rangers.
Tension develops between the colonists and the Mexican government
Conflicts would lead to the colonists’ demand for independence

12. Austin the Great Leader
The colony prospered due to Austin’s leadership
Biggest challenge came in Austin learned that Mexico had gained independence from Spain in September of 1821.
The grant had been issued by Spain, therefore he now needed permission from Mexican officials for the colony
Traveled to Mexico City to obtain approval - took a year
While there he learned Spanish and gained trust of Mexican leaders. Awarded grants under the national colonization laws of 1823 and 1824
Austin was the colonists’ main representative to Mexican officials, he translated laws and communicated government policies to the settlers
Known as the “Father of Texas”

13. Other Empresarios
Austin was the first Empresario but not the only one.
by 1830 about 30 people had also brought settlers to Texas.
By 1830’s Texas had a population of almost 20,000 people and was growing.
Cotton and Cattle industries were beginning to grow also.

14. Open Door to Texas
Because of the empresarios, many people began moving into Texas. (Texas Fever)
The inscription G.T.T. (Gone To Texas) became a common sight on abandoned cabins.
“Gone to Texas”  was a phrase used by Americans immigrating to Texas in the 19th century often to escape debt incurred during the Panic of 1819.
After Davy Crockett was narrowly defeated for re-election in Tennessee, he famously said, "You may all go to h***, and I will go to Texas," and followed through on that pledge.
Most settlers that came emigrated from the U.S. but some came from Mexico and Europe.
Large population of Tejanos settled in San Antonio de Bexar.
Powerful Tejanos in Texas include Erasmo and Juan Seguin, Lorenzo de Zavala, and Jose Antonio Navarro
African American population of Texas grew as well.
Slavery was illegal in Mexico after 1829 but law was not enforced
Mexican law offered protection and legal rights to free African Americans.