Final answer:
Americans came to Texas in the 1820s mainly due to the opportunity to purchase cheap land at prices significantly lower than in the U.S., a chance to recover after the 1837 depression, and the intent to expand slavery and cotton agriculture. They also brought with them American traditions and the desire to spread American culture and political values.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many Americans had various reasons for coming to Texas in the 1820s. One substantial factor was the lure of cheap land, where prices were significantly lower compared to the United States — immigrants to Texas paid only 10 cents an acre, whereas in the U.S. prices were about $1.25 an acre. Additionally, this land could be paid for in installments without a minimum purchase, making it accessible to more individuals.
Apart from the economic attraction, many Americans were motivated by the opportunity to restart their lives following the financial depression of 1837. Also, the possibility to expand slavery and the cotton kingdom in a new territory was a driving force for many slaveholders. Under Mexican law, American settlers received benefits such as tax exemptions and were able to acquire large tracts of land for themselves, their families, and their slaves.
Furthermore, many settlers maintained allegiance to American political and cultural traditions, bringing these practices and expectations, including religious beliefs, with them into Texas. Attraction to Texas was fueled by not only economic opportunity but also by an expansionist ideology that many white Americans believed was their right and duty to advance. These combined incentives led to a significant influx of American immigrants into Mexican Texas, eventually leading to rising tensions and the Texas Revolution.