Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads

1. Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads Unit 9, Section 4 Notes European Immigration to Texas

2. Germans Settle in Central Texas The largest European group to settle in Texas was the German, who first began arriving in the 1830’s looking for better economic opportunities. A group of wealthy Germans formed the German Emigration Company and they hoped to make a profit by encouraging Germans to settle in Texas. They acquired land in the Texas Hill Country and began building settlements.

3. German Settlements in Texas The German Immigration Company set up a port, called Indianola, for incoming settlers. They then sent groups of peasants to the Texas Hill Country to create settlements. They established New Braunsfels along the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers, one of today’s most often visited “German” towns.

4. German Heritage in Texas Today By 1847, the German Emigration Company had sent more than 10,000 immigrants to Texas. These people helped establish Fredericksburg, Boerne, and Comfort, and aided in the continued growth of cities like Houston and San Antonio. Today, many Texas towns in the Hill Country reflect their German heritage through food, architecture, and language.

5. French Immigrants in Texas In 1840, France and Texas signed a treaty that encouraged French immigration to Texas. Many of the first French settlers to Texas were from Alsace, France. They founded the town of Castroville in 1844. By 1846, over 2,000 French settlers lived along the Medina River, and most of them became farmers and ranchers. Their French culture can still be found in the customs, architecture, and churches of Castroville and surrounding towns.

6. Irish Settlers in Texas Before Texas was even a Republic, Irish settlers had been coming to Texas. They were brought to Texas by the Irish potato famine, in which many Irish people experienced extreme poverty. Many Irishmen received empresario contracts in the 1820’s, including James Hewetson, who worked with Stephen F. Austin. Many fought on the side of Texas at the Alamo, Goliad, and the Battle of San Jacinto. Most settled near the Rio Grande in towns like San Patricio, Refugio, and Victoria.

7. Other European Immigrant Groups Many Polish and Czech immigrants made their way to Texas and settled in South and Central Texas. Immigration from Poland and Czechoslovakia increased as economic and political conditions worsened in their homeland. Many were looking for a place to start over, while others came looking for good farmland so they could make money.

8. Immigrant Groups – Where and Why • Mexicans Where – South Texas Why – Bordered Mexico, there were vast amounts of land for ranching • Germans Where – New Braunsfels, San Antonio, Central Texas Why – good climate and cheap land

9. Immigrant Groups – Where and Why • Americans Where – East Texas, Central Texas Why – financial opportunities • Swedish Where – Williamson County Why – financial opportunities • Irish Where – Rio Grande Valley Why – potato famine, extreme poverty

10. Immigrant Groups – Where and Why • French Where – Castroville Why – Colonization Law of 1841 • Polish Where – Panna Maria Why – economic opportunities • Czech Where – Cat Spring, Fayette County Why – cheap land, poverty in homeland

11. Immigrant Groups – Where and Why • Italians Where – urban communities along the Texas coast Why – economic depression in homeland • Chinese Where – El Paso, Houston, and other urban areas Why – helped build the railroads