Final answer:
The population of Texas increased due to the efforts of empresarios who brought settlers to the region, contributing to the demographic shift and escalating tensions leading up to the Texas Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a result of the efforts of empresarios during the Mexican National Era, the population of Texas changed significantly. The correct answer to the question is c) It increased as more settlers arrived. These impresarios, such as Moses Austin, were responsible for bringing settlers into the region in exchange for land grants, with the expectation that settlers would convert to Roman Catholicism.
However, many American settlers remained culturally and religiously distinct from the local Mexican population, often ignoring Mexican laws, including those about slavery and acculturation. This led to increased tensions and ultimately significant turmoil between the settlers, referred to as Texans, and the Mexican government. These tensions contributed to the eventual Texas Revolution as the growing American presence and their disregard for Mexican laws, such as those against slavery, became a major point of contention.