Identify the contributions of significant individuals, including Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt, during the Mexican settlement of

Standards Alignment

• TEKS.113.19.02E primary
  identify the contributions of significant individuals, including Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt, during the Mexican settlement of Texas; and
• TEKS.113.19.02F primary
  contrast Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo purposes for and methods of settlement in Texas.

Lesson Overview

This Grade 7 social studies lesson explores the contributions of key individuals—Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt—during the Mexican settlement of Texas. Students will also contrast the purposes and methods of settlement used by Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo groups. The lesson is aligned with TEKS standards and designed to engage students through visuals, discussions, and activities that connect historical events to present-day Texas.

Learning Objectives

• Identify the contributions of Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt during the Mexican settlement of Texas.
• Contrast the purposes and methods of settlement used by Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo settlers in Texas.

Success Criteria

• Students can name and describe the roles of the five significant individuals in Texas settlement.
• Students can explain at least two differences between Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo settlement purposes and methods.
• Students can create a timeline or chart showing the contributions of these individuals and settlement differences.

Prerequisite Knowledge

Students should have a basic understanding of Texas geography and the concept of settlement or colonization.

Key Vocabulary

• Mexican National Era
• Settlement
• Colonization
• Empresario
• Anglo
• Spanish
• Mexican
• Land Grant

Materials and Resources

• Map of Texas during the Mexican National Era
• Timeline template
• Images or portraits of Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt
• Chart paper or whiteboard
• Primary source excerpts or short biographies

Teacher Preparation

• Prepare visuals including maps and portraits of the significant individuals.
• Create a timeline template for student use.
• Gather short biographies or primary source excerpts about each individual.
• Prepare a chart comparing Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo settlement purposes and methods.

Detailed Lesson Notes

Introduction to the Mexican National Era and Settlement

The Mexican National Era refers to the period when Texas was part of Mexico, roughly from 1821 to 1836. During this time, Mexico encouraged settlement in Texas to develop the land and protect its borders. Settlement involved groups of people moving to and living in new areas, often with permission from the government through land grants or contracts called empresario grants.

Significant Individuals and Their Contributions

- Moses Austin: He was the first Anglo-American to receive permission from Spanish authorities to bring settlers into Texas. Although he died before he could fulfill his plan, his efforts paved the way for colonization. - Stephen F. Austin: Known as the 'Father of Texas,' he carried on his father's work by leading the first large group of Anglo settlers to Texas under a Mexican land grant. He helped establish colonies and worked to maintain peace with Mexican authorities. - Erasmo Seguín: A Tejano leader and politician who supported Anglo settlement and helped settlers navigate Mexican laws. He also served as a liaison between Mexican officials and settlers. - Martín De León: The only Mexican empresario who founded a colony of mostly Mexican settlers in Texas. His colony helped maintain Mexican culture and influence in the region. - Green DeWitt: An empresario who established a colony near Austin's settlement. He faced challenges but contributed to the growth of Anglo settlements in Texas.

Purposes and Methods of Settlement: Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo

- Spanish Settlement: Focused on missions, presidios (military forts), and converting Native Americans to Christianity. Settlements were often religious and military in purpose. - Mexican Settlement: Continued Spanish policies but also encouraged empresarios to bring settlers to develop the land and create loyal communities. Land grants were used to attract settlers. - Anglo Settlement: Often motivated by economic opportunities and land ownership. Anglos came as families and farmers, establishing towns and farms with less emphasis on religion or military control.

Comparing Settlement Methods

Spanish and Mexican settlements often involved government control, missions, and efforts to integrate Native Americans. Anglo settlers usually came through empresario contracts but focused on farming and community building. Understanding these differences helps explain cultural and political tensions that developed later.

Worked Examples

Classroom Activity

Read the provided texts and discuss in pairs or small groups the main contributions of each individual.

Guided Practice

Independent Practice

1. Foundational: Who was Moses Austin and what was his main contribution to Texas settlement?
2. Developing: Name two ways Stephen F. Austin helped settlers during the Mexican settlement of Texas.
3. Application: Compare the purposes of Mexican and Anglo settlers in Texas. How were their reasons for settling different?
4. Analysis: Explain how Martín De León’s colony was different from those of Stephen F. Austin and Green DeWitt.
5. Challenge: Why might the differences in settlement purposes and methods between Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo groups have led to tensions in Texas history?

Independent Practice Teacher Answer Key

1. 1. Moses Austin was the first Anglo-American to get permission to bring settlers to Texas, starting the process of Anglo colonization.
2. 2. He led the first large group of Anglo settlers to Texas and helped maintain peaceful relations with Mexican authorities.
3. 3. Mexican settlers were encouraged by the government to develop land and create loyal communities, while Anglo settlers were mainly motivated by economic opportunities and land ownership.
4. 4. Martín De León’s colony was primarily Mexican settlers, maintaining Mexican culture, while Austin’s and DeWitt’s colonies were mostly Anglo settlers.
5. 5. Because Spanish and Mexican settlements focused on government control and cultural integration, while Anglo settlers focused on farming and land ownership, these differing goals and methods could cause misunderstandings and conflicts over land, culture, and governance.

Guiding Questions

• Who were Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt?
• What were their contributions to Texas settlement?
• How did Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo settlers differ in their reasons and ways of settling Texas?
• Why did Mexico encourage settlement in Texas?
• How do these historical events relate to Texas today?

Common Misconceptions

• Moses Austin personally led settlers to Texas; in fact, he died before this happened and his son Stephen F. Austin carried out the plan.
• All settlers in Texas during this era were Anglo; in reality, there were also Mexican and Spanish settlers with different cultures and goals.
• Settlement was only about farming; Spanish and Mexican settlements also involved missions and military purposes.

Differentiation

Assessment

• List the five significant individuals and one contribution each made to Texas settlement.
• Explain one difference between Spanish and Anglo settlement methods.
• Create a simple timeline of the Mexican settlement period in Texas.
• Write one sentence explaining why Stephen F. Austin is called the 'Father of Texas.'
• Name one way Mexican settlement policies differed from Spanish policies.
• Write a short essay comparing the purposes of Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo settlers in Texas.
• Create a presentation about one significant individual’s contributions during the Mexican settlement of Texas.

Answer Guide

• Who was Moses Austin and what was his contribution?
  Answer: Moses Austin was the first Anglo-American to receive permission to bring settlers to Texas, starting Anglo colonization.
• What role did Stephen F. Austin play in Texas settlement?
  Answer: Stephen F. Austin led the first large group of Anglo settlers to Texas and helped establish colonies under Mexican land grants.
• How did Erasmo Seguín support settlers?
  Answer: Erasmo Seguín helped settlers by acting as a liaison between Mexican officials and settlers and supporting Anglo settlement.
• What was unique about Martín De León’s colony?
  Answer: Martín De León’s colony was mostly Mexican settlers, preserving Mexican culture in Texas.
• How did Green DeWitt contribute to Texas settlement?
  Answer: Green DeWitt established an Anglo colony near Austin’s settlement, contributing to the growth of Anglo settlements.

Real-Life Application

Students can interview family members about their own family’s history of settlement or migration and share how people move and settle in new places today.

Homework or Home Connection

• Students can interview family members about their own family’s history of settlement or migration and share how people move and settle in new places today.

Lesson Summary

This lesson helped students identify the important contributions of Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguín, Martín De León, and Green DeWitt during the Mexican settlement of Texas. Students also learned to contrast the different purposes and methods of Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo settlers, understanding how these differences shaped Texas history during the Mexican National Era.

Teacher Notes

Use the exact standards alignment and retrieved-source provenance stored with this enrichment.

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