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Why did the Mexican government attract settlers to Texas and what were the terms of their land grants?
Quick answer:
The Mexican government attracted settlers to Texas to strengthen control over its northern territories and counter threats from Native Americans and the United States. The General Colonization Law of 1823 offered land grants requiring settlers to become Mexican citizens and convert to Roman Catholicism. Settlers were often exempt from taxes but had to abide by certain cultural and legal terms, including restrictions on slavery.
The Mexican government wanted to attract settlers to Texas. The Mexicans wanted to promote the growth of Texas so they offered land grants to interested people. One of the people who received a land grant was Moses Austin. When he died, his son, Stephen Austin, took over the land grant. About 300 Americans settled on the land granted to the Austin family.
The Mexican government placed conditions on receiving a land grant. The settlers had to agree to obey Mexican law, learn Spanish, become Catholic and become a citizen of Mexico. In return, they would get a land grant at reduced prices and pay little or no taxes for several years.
Eventually, more Americans came to Mexico to get land grants. Tensions grew between the Americans and the Mexicans, eventually leading to the Texan war for independence from Mexico. In 1836, the Lone Star Republic was created when Texas got its independence from Mexico.
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