The Young StateThe Young State

Immigrants Come to TexasImmigrants Come to Texas

p. 332 - 337p. 332 - 337

Texas Population BoomsTexas Population Booms In 10 years the population in Texas tripled. In 10 years the population in Texas tripled. Annexation, the lure of inexpensive land, Annexation, the lure of inexpensive land,

and legalized slavery attracted thousands to and legalized slavery attracted thousands to Texas during the 1840s – 1850s.Texas during the 1840s – 1850s.

Most of the new arrivals came from the Most of the new arrivals came from the southern states.southern states.

Travelers visiting southern states in the pre-Travelers visiting southern states in the pre-Civil war years reported seeing abandoned Civil war years reported seeing abandoned cabins marked with the initials “GTT” – cabins marked with the initials “GTT” – Gone To Texas.Gone To Texas.

The large increase in population created a The large increase in population created a need for new counties to be formed to take need for new counties to be formed to take care of administrative and governmental care of administrative and governmental concerns. concerns.

Mexican TexansMexican Texans 25,000 Mexican Americans 25,000 Mexican Americans

resided in Texas in about 1860. resided in Texas in about 1860. Most lived between the Nueces Most lived between the Nueces

and Rio Grande Rivers. and Rio Grande Rivers. Farming and ranching provided Farming and ranching provided

the main occupations for the main occupations for Mexican Americans Mexican Americans

Politics and BiasPolitics and Bias Too many Mexican Americans faced Too many Mexican Americans faced

hostility and prejudice. hostility and prejudice. Juan Cortina came to be seen as a Juan Cortina came to be seen as a

protector of the rights of Mexicans protector of the rights of Mexicans and Tejanos.and Tejanos.

Despite the prejudices and Despite the prejudices and discrimination, Mexican Texans discrimination, Mexican Texans retained their cultural heritage – retained their cultural heritage – their religion, language, and their religion, language, and traditions.traditions.

German TexansGerman Texans By 1860, more than 20,000 Germans By 1860, more than 20,000 Germans

were living in Texas. were living in Texas. Many people migrated to Texas to Many people migrated to Texas to

escape the hardships in Germany.escape the hardships in Germany. The potato famine that struck The potato famine that struck

Ireland in the mid-1840’s also hit Ireland in the mid-1840’s also hit Germany and northwestern Europe.Germany and northwestern Europe.

Other European ArrivalsOther European Arrivals Natives from Ireland, England and Natives from Ireland, England and

France settled in Texas.France settled in Texas. Polish, Czechs, Norwegians and Polish, Czechs, Norwegians and

European Jews moved to Texas and European Jews moved to Texas and began new cities.began new cities.

The new arrivals brought their The new arrivals brought their music, arts, languages, literature, music, arts, languages, literature, and traditions.and traditions.

The Alabama- CoushattasThe Alabama- Coushattas

Only a few Native Americans continued Only a few Native Americans continued to live peaceably in Texas. to live peaceably in Texas.

In 1854 the Texas legislature purchased In 1854 the Texas legislature purchased 1,280 acres for the Alabama tribe, but no 1,280 acres for the Alabama tribe, but no land was ever set aside for the land was ever set aside for the Coushatta's. Coushatta's.

Through marriage or by special Through marriage or by special permission from the Alabama people, the permission from the Alabama people, the Coushatta's came to live on the Coushatta's came to live on the reservation.reservation.