Essential Questions Flashcards
What are empresarios? What agreement did they make with the Mexican government?
Empresarios are land agents that helped recruit and bring in settlers to an area. They had a government contract to do this.
Who was Stephen F. Austin? What was the capital of his colony?
Stephen F. Austin was sent with Erasmo Seguin to pick out land. He was the first empresario and is known as the “Father of Texas.” The capital of his colony was San Felipe de Austin.
How were Spanish and Anglo methods of settlement different?
The Anglo people were white Americans, and they came for reasons like cheap land and new opportunities. The Spanish were from Spain and came for Gold, Glory, and God.
Anglo settlers followed empresarios with cheap land grants while the Spanish were claiming land for their country through missions and presidios.
Describe the Old Three Hundred.
The Old Three Hundred were the first ANGLO settlers from America. They were required to convert to Catholicism, become a Mexican/Spanish citizen, and be of good, moral character.
What were guarantees in Iturbide’s Plan de Iguala?
It would declare Mexico independent from Spain, Mexican people would have equal rights, and Catholicism would become the official religion of Mexico.
What was the Constitution of 1824? What did it do about Texas?
The Constitution of 1824 was Mexico’s constitution and it gave Mexico a federal republic, made the official religion Catholicism, created the state of Coahuila y Tejas, and people were allowed to bring in slaves that were already owned. Texas was under Mexico’s government, but could not become its own state because of small population.
What was the Neutral Ground? Why was it problematic?
It was territory that both Mexico and the US believed to be theirs, but did not want to go to war over it so they left it neutral. There was no government or patrol there, so bad people could get away with more by fleeing and living there.
Describe the Adams - Odis treaty.
Spain gave Florida to the US and agreed to the Sabine River as the Eastern boundary. In return, the US surrendered all claims to Texas. (Neutral Ground now US territory)
Who was Jose Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara and what did he do?
He and Augustus Megee formed the Republican Army of the North, and declared Texas independent!
Describe the Battle of Medina. What was the result of that battle?
It was the bloodiest battle in TX history. General Arrendondo overwhelmed the Republican Army of the North, and killed every last one of them. Texas remained under Spanish control for another 7 years.
What was the Louisiana purchase? Why was it significant?
The US bought Louisiana for 15 million dollars from France. It doubled the size of the US, meant they shared a border with Texas, and meant US people could go across the Mississippi River towards Spanish Texas.
Who was Bernardo de Galvez and what did he do?
He was the Spanish military governor of Louisiana, and he: opened the port to New Orleans to American ships, made lots of contributions such as money, weapons, clothing, and medical supplies to American troops. He gathered an army of soldiers from Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Native Americans, and African volunteers. His army forced British troops from towns and forts along the Gulf of Mexico, helping **secure the southern states from the British.*
What area did Stephen F. Austin choose for his colony? Why?
He chose between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers, because this area had rich soil, access to water, and a warm climate.
Why did Moses Austin believe Americans would want to move to Texas?
He believed it was because of cheap land.
Why is the year 1821 significant to Texas history?
It was the year Mexico gained their independence from Spain!
