Pioneer Life in TexasPopulation Growth

A Rapidly Growing Republic

Between 1836 and 1846 (the 10 years that Texas was a Republic) the population of Texas grew by about 350% Approx. 35,000 in 1836 to over 125,000 in 1846

In 1839 the Texas Congress passed the Homestead Act which protected a family’s home, tools, and 50 acres of land from seizure for nonpayment of debts.

“It is their own and their children’s with no proud landowner to look up to, no rents or taxes to pay. To use an American expression, ‘One feels freed and one is free.’ They enjoy life and their families, certain that poverty cannot threaten them.” – William Bollaert

Immigrant Agents

The Texas Congress granted contracts to immigrant agents – people paid in land or money to relocate settlers to an area – to bring colonists to Texas. Agents received 6,400 acres for every 100 families they

brought in….sound familiar?

The German Emigration Company (or Adelsverein) promoted German immigration to Texas. Overpopulation, poverty, political problems, and heavy

taxes influenced many Germans to leave their country.

New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Boerne, Comfort, and Sisterdale were all established by German immigrants.

German Influence?

Braunfels, Germany New Braunfels, Texas

Slavery Continues in Texas

After gaining independence the government of the Republic of Texas made no efforts to limit slavery. One out of every four families in Texas had at least

one slave.

By the mid 1840s, African Americans made up almost 30% of Texas’ population.

Slavery was justified by quoting parts of the Bible, using “scientific” research, or by citing economic advantages of slavery.

Slaves found many ways to resist slavery by: Withholding cooperation

Breaking their tools

Pretending to be ill or

Running away

Despite the harsh conditions slaves were able to sustain a rich culture through: Family

Artistic expression and

Religion

LIKE THIS…

Not ALL Were Slaves

Several hundred free African Americans lived in Texas before the Civil War Many of these were granted land for their service in the

Texas military during the revolution

Most of them lived on farms in rural parts of Texas

In 1840 the Congress of Texas passed a law allowing free African Americans to petition for the right to remain in Texas. Most petitions were denied

Tejano Tensions in Texas

Mexican Texans (Tejanos) also faced hardships in the new republic. Despite the fact that many of them had fought for

Texas’ independence, new Anglos in Texas assumed that Tejanos opposed the war for independence.

Some Anglo settlers took Tejano land by force while other Tejanos fled to Mexico out of fear Even Juan Seguin sought refuge in Mexico for several years

stating that he felt as if he were, “a foreigner in my native land.”

Still, between 1838 and 1841 more than 500 Mexicans obtained land grants in Texas.

Land Provisions of the Constitution of 1836

Category Amount of Land Received

Head of Family living in Texas before 3/2/1836

4,605 acres

Head of Family coming to Texas between 1836 and Oct. 1837

1,280 acres

Head of Family coming to Texas between Nov. 1837 and 1842

640 acres

Veterans arriving in Texas before Aug. 1836

4,605 acres

Additional land for disabled veterans or heirs of KIA

VARIOUS AMOUNTS

African Americans NONE

Native Americans NONE

Married Women NONE