Unit 4

New Settlers Arrive in Texas

Colonization Law of 1824

Definition: Mexican legislation that established general colonization guidelines, granted states control over public lands, and prohibited foreigners from settling within 20 leagues of international borders or 10 leagues of the coast.

Purposes and methods of Spanish settlement in Texas

Definition: Aimed to secure imperial control against rival European powers and search for riches such as gold and silver; carried out primarily through the mission-presidio system and civil colonies.

Purposes and methods of Mexican settlement in Texas

Definition: Aimed to increase population and protect vulnerable northern borders; carried out through the empresario system, promoting relocation of Mexican citizens, and establishing large ranching and farming communities.

Purposes and methods of Anglo settlement in Texas

Definition: Aimed to acquire fertile, affordable farmland unavailable in the United States; carried out by applying for land grants through empresarios and creating large-scale agricultural settlements.

Arguments made by Moses Austin and Baron de Bastrop for Anglo colonization

Definition: They argued that American settlers would help rebuild the struggling Texas economy, swear allegiance as loyal Spanish citizens, and provide a defensive barrier against hostile Native American raids.

Reason Stephen F. Austin's "Little Colony" struggled

Definition: Due to its isolated western frontier location, the settlement faced frequent raids and hostilities from neighboring Native American groups, especially the Comanche.

San Felipe de Austin

Definition: The capital and administrative headquarters of Stephen F. Austin's first colony, founded in 1823 along the Brazos River.

The Old Three Hundred

Definition: The initial group of 297 Anglo families and single men who received land contracts to settle in Stephen F. Austin's first colony in Mexican Texas.

Martín de León

Definition: Mexican empresario who founded the only Texas colony settled primarily by Mexican and Tejano families, establishing an extensive ranching operation and the town of Victoria.

Father Miguel Ramos Arizpe

Definition: Creole priest and statesman who championed equal rights between creoles and peninsulares, supported Mexican independence, and served on the committee that drafted the federalist Mexican Constitution of 1824.

Environmental factors Anglo settlers looked for when choosing land in Texas

Definition: Proximity to dependable water sources, rich and fertile soil, a mild climate, and geographic conditions similar to their previous homes in the American South.

Mexican National Era

Definition: The period in Texas history from 1821 to 1836, marked by Mexican independence from Spain, the establishment of the empresario system, and large-scale Anglo-American immigration.

Baron de Bastrop

Definition: Prominent Dutch businessman and San Antonio resident who used his political ties to convince Spanish authorities to grant Moses Austin approval for his initial colonization plan.