Stephen F. Austin & the Empresarios of Texas

7,000 (when Stephen F. Austin started his settlements)

In 1821, Mexico gained independence from ______________, and Austin negotiated a contract with the new Mexican government that allowed him to lead some 300 families to the Brazos River.

a person who was in charge of dividing up Mexican land and selling it to American settlers for the Mexcian government (in Texas during the 1800s)

22,000

The first man to bring Anglo settlers to Texas. Father of Texas because he was the 1st to get his contract approved by the MEXICAN government. He was the 1st successful Empresario.

First America to receive Spanish land grant in Mexico, later Texas. He died and passed land to his son.

churches set up by the Spanish in hopes of converting Native Americans to Christianity.

Spanish missions

Between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers; 1st contract, he was suppose to settle 300 families called the Old 300.

To settle Texas, Mexico gave land to ________________________, so they could do the following: Attracted American settlers, who eagerly bought cheap land in return for a pledge to obey Mexican laws and observe the official religion of Roman Catholicism.

Each empresario would sign a CONTRACT with the Mexican government whereby they promised to SETTLE a certain number of families.

Stephen Austin's first group of settlers

Catholic, Mexican citizen, good moral character

Stephen F. Austin is commonly referred to by this title for settling Texas with families.

- to make a better life