Chapter 6 Section 3
-September 1821 Mexico became independent from Spain
 The province of Texas was part of this new country
-Spain had claimed Texas for almost 300 years, and very little
growth
 Only 3 settlements: San Antonio, Goliad, and Nacogdoches
 San Antonio
 Largest
 Also the capital
 More than 2,000 people
 Goliad
 Once had more than 1,200 people, left after the
Gutierrez-Magee expedition
 Only 60 miles from the Gulf of Mexico
 Nacogdoches
 Similar to Goliad once had 500 people but town was
almost abandoned after Gutierrez-Magee expedition
 A few smaller settlements existed along Texas’ border
 Laredo- lower Rio Grande, ranching, Spain didn’t not
consider it part of Texas
 Ysleta-west Texas, governed by Spanish in New
Mexico
-Spain had been unable to attract many Spanish settlers to Texas
for many reasons
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No gold or silver
Was remote, wasn’t like Mexico city with jobs and success
Few settlements existed
Needed more fertile land for farming and ranching
Native Americans
Not as much land was available
-Spanish authorities neglected Texas; the region was not high on
list of priorities
-In 1817 Antonio Martinez became Spanish governor of Texas
 Described poor conditions of Texas (152)
 Expresses concern and need for more soldiers (153)
 Explained that without additional troops, he could not
defend Spain’s interest in Mexico and Texas
-Despite not populating the region Spain left its mark on Texas
 Many places have Spanish names
 Most river and bay name remind you of Spanish legacy
 Dozens of cities with Spanish names
 El Paso, Amarillo, San Antonio, Llano, Del Rio, etc
 Spaniards laid out the first roads
 El Camino Real-Royal highway, later known as old
San Antonio road.
 Settlers brought horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs into Texas
 Spanish ranching methods, practices and equipment such as
lariats and chaps
 Vaqueros made the first long cattle drives
 Vaqueros-a cowhand
-Texas settlers adapted Spanish customs to frontier conditions,
their adjustment formed the beginning of the distinct Tejano
culture