Final answer:
The Texas government offered cheap land to attract settlers, with prices as low as 10 cents an acre compared to $1.25 in the U.S., along with additional benefits such as installment payments, generous land grants, and tax exemptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Texas government hoped to encourage people to move to Texas by providing cheap land. This was part of a broader strategy to populate the territory, offer a buffer zone against Native American tribes, and deter American expansion into Mexican territory. Empresarios like Moses Austin and later his son Stephen F. Austin played a significant role in attracting settlers, especially from the United States, by offering land at substantially lower prices compared to U.S. territories. For instance, immigrants could purchase Texas land for as little as 10 cents an acre, a fraction of the cost of land in the United States at $1.25 an acre.
Additionally, Texas provided favorable terms such as the ability to pay in installments, with no minimum purchase requirement, and generous land allocations for families and slaves. These incentives, along with a ten-year tax exemption, made Texas an attractive destination for many, including those affected by financial losses in the 1837 depression and Europeans seeking new opportunities. The influx of American settlers, along with their slaves, eventually contributed to the unique cultural and economic landscape of Texas, setting the stage for its tumultuous path to becoming part of the United States.