Final answer:
Moses and Stephen F. Austin were pivotal figures in Texas's settlement and independence, leading to the establishment of the Lone Star Republic and eventual annexation into the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Impact of Moses and Stephen F. Austin in Texas
Stephen F. Austin and his father Moses played crucial roles in the settlement and independence of Texas. On his deathbed, Moses tasked Stephen with carrying out his plans to bring settlers into Texas. Under Mexico's colonization laws post-independence from Spain, Stephen F. Austin was influential in leading the first 300 families, known as the "Old Three Hundred," to settle in Texas, laying the foundations for its eventual Anglo-American majority. This influx of American settlers and their culture, laws, and the introduction of slavery into the region was supported under Mexico's generous land policies.
The growing American presence conflicted with Mexican policies, especially after President Vicente Guerrero attempted to outlaw slavery to weaken American influence. Tensions escalated, and American settlers' belief in their cultural superiority and right to expand led to multiple revolts, including one by impresario Haden Edwards, and a demonstration of loyalty by Austin himself.
The Texas Revolution saw significant battles such as the Alamo and Goliad, culminating in the victory at San Jacinto. Despite the problematic treaties with Santa Anna, Texas declared its independence and formed the Lone Star Republic, with an American-style judicial system and legal slavery.
Ultimately, the annexation of the Lone Star Republic into the United States, a vision Moses and Stephen F. Austin had initiated, provoked additional conflicts such as the Mexican American war but cemented the framework for modern-day Texas.