Mexico's Policy Toward Texas: Settlement, Control, and Revolution

After independence (1821), Mexico sought to populate and control Texas (then Coahuila y Tejas) by recruiting empresarios (like Stephen F. Austin) to bring settlers—mostly from the US. The 1824 Colonization Law and 1825 State Colonization Law offered land grants to Catholic, law-abiding immigrants.

Tensions rose as Anglo settlers outnumbered Tejanos, resisted Mexican laws (slavery ban, Catholic requirement, customs duties), and demanded autonomy. Mexico's 1830 Law of April 6 halted US immigration, imposed tariffs, and garrisoned troops—too late. The Texas Revolution (1835–36) led to the Republic of Texas. Mexico never recognized its independence, considering Texas a rebellious province until US annexation (1845) triggered the Mexican-American War.