The Colonization of Texas: Missions and Settlers

The Colonization of Texas

The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in Texas in the 1500s. But, other explorers took notice of the rumors of gold in the region. Soon, the French built a fort on the Texas coast and the European competition for Texas had begun. By the 1800s, Mexican and American settlers were starting colonies throughout Texas. After Mexico won its independence from Spain, the real fight for Texas began. But this time it was American colonists and the Mexican government t...