How did texas' decreasing population in the late 1790s affect the Spanish hold on the Louisiana territory

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Caitlin Brown

History

24 May, 23:29

How did texas' decreasing population in the late 1790s affect the Spanish hold on the Louisiana territory

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Terrell Frazier · Answer 1

The Spanish government wanted to keep the territory secure, and believed that this security would come from a larger population. However, by the late 18th century, Texas was one of the least populated areas of New Spain. Over half of this population were Spaniards, but a significant amount of Indians settled in the area as well, leading to marriages and a high number of illegitimate births.

This lack of population meant that Spain could not keep a tight control in the territory. This will prove important for the Louisiana territory as well. It motivated the Spanish government to welcome Acadian immigrants to the Louisiana territory. It also encouraged the signing of the Treaty of Ildefonso with France, which ceded the Louisiana territory to the French government in exchange for some land in Tuscany.