Texas: The History of America’s Second Largest State
Texas, the second-largest state in the United States, is so vast that it can accommodate both France and Switzerland within its borders. The area of Texas is about one-fifth the size of India. If Texas were placed in the center of India’s map, it would cover large portions of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Early Texas and Its Association with Mexico
Before 1821, Texas was part of Mexico. However, this large region had an extremely sparse population. When Mexico gained independence from the Spanish Empire, Texas became part of Mexico. At the time, only 3,500 people lived in Texas, most of whom were Native Americans.
The Mexican Government’s Strategy
To populate Texas, the Mexican government invited white American settlers to live there under three conditions:
- They must be Catholic.
- They must be hardworking.
- They must pledge loyalty to Mexican citizenship.
Land in Texas was offered at extremely low prices. While one acre of land in the U.S. cost $1.25, in Texas, it was sold for just $0.04. Heads of families could receive up to 4,605 acres of land, with payment allowed over six years.
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The Perspective of American Settlers
Many people from the southern U.S., who were often in debt and losing their lands, saw Texas as a golden opportunity. Another major advantage of moving to Texas was the lack of extradition laws between the U.S. and Mexico. Criminals who fled the U.S. to Texas could not be forced to return.
Early Mistakes and the Rise of Stephen Austin
The Mexican government began granting contracts to individuals who would bring American settlers to Texas. One such contractor was Stephen Austin, who brought 300 families to settle there. In 1824, Mexico implemented a new constitution that banned slavery in Texas. However, American settlers, who relied heavily on the labor of enslaved people, were deeply opposed to this.
Slavery and Resistance
The settlers exploited legal loopholes by presenting their slaves as “indentured servants.” To counter stricter anti-slavery laws, they created contracts extending up to 90 years, claiming these individuals were not slaves but servants.
Conclusion
In its pursuit of short-term benefits, the Mexican government allowed Texas to be filled with American settlers, a decision that proved to be a significant mistake. This discontent eventually led to Texas breaking away from Mexico and joining the United States.
