​North America in the 1700s

• ​Spain needs to expand colonies in New Spain (north territory)

  • Missions are failing!

• French and Indian War (7 years war) – 1754 to 1763

  • France cedes North American territory to Britain (east of Mississippi Rv) and Spain (west of Mississippi Rv)

• USA wins its independence in 1783

  • Spain sends aid – sides with the USA – fighting in Louisiana

• 1801: Spain return Louisiana territory to France 

  • 1803- France sells Louisiana to the USA! – doubles the size of USA

• USA and Spain – neighbors!

  • Tension increases!

​Missions fail...now what?!?

• Why?

  • Native American raids

  • Disease

  • Drought

  • Far from main settlements in New Spain (present day Mexico)

  • Lack of supplies

• ​Answer = immigration!

​Moses Austin

​Empresario System?

• ​SPAIN: opens TX to US immigrants to boost population!

  • Moses Austin - 1st empresario to receive a land grant

• ​OUTCOME:

  • Tension and Rivalry between the USA and Spain

​Stephen F. Austin

​Unrest in New Spain

• ​Mexico – talks of independence break out

• Issues:

  • Economic and social division

  • Political corruption

  • US independence 

As you watch the video below, answer the questions that follow.

​Link:

https://tinyurl.com/3jaxpc4s

​Empresario System

• ​System to colonize territory used under Mexican rule of Texas.

• Land agents/contractors were given land grants to settle families in a Mexican territory/state.

​Green Dewitt

​Texas Empresarios

• Moses Austin

  • 1st empresario to receive a land grant

• ​Stephen F. Austin

  • ​Father of Texas

  • ​established the first 300 Anglo-American families in Texas - Old 300

• ​Green Dewitt

  • ​established the town of Gonzales, Texas

• ​Martin De Leon

  • ​established the town of Victoria, Texas

  • ​only Mexican empresario to settle Mexican families in Texas

As you watch the video below, answer the questions that follow.

​Link:

​

https://tinyurl.com/2ept8h8r

​