Final answer:
Encouraging European settlers to come to Texas helped Mexico maintain control over the region through colonization laws, integration efforts, and as a buffer against American expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Encouraging European settlers to come to Texas helped Mexico maintain control over the region in several ways. Firstly, Mexico passed colonization laws to incentivize immigration, allowing thousands of Americans to settle in Texas and outnumber the Mexican residents. Secondly, the Mexican government hoped that by integrating the American settlers into Mexican society, they would become loyal Mexican citizens and maintain control. Finally, Mexico used the presence of American settlers as a buffer against potential American expansion into Texas, creating a physical and political barrier.