Anglo Overview Anglo Americans are Caucasians who were born in the United States. Although Anglo Americans traversed Texas and were living there before 1821, 1821 marks the official beginning of colonization of Mexican Texas by Anglo Americans. The primary reason Anglos migrated to Mexican Texas was the lure of inexpensive land. Anglo settlers took oaths of loyalty to the Mexican government. Because of empressario grants, in addition to Moses Austin's 1821 grant, large numbers of Anglo Americans continued to move into Mexican Texas. Political unrest and the United States' desire to claim Mexican Texas eventually led to confrontations and battles that earned Texas its independence from Mexico in 1836. In 1836 the Republic of Texas was born. In the nineteenth century, the Republic Period was followed by statehood, secession, reconstruction and re-admittance for Texas as a state. Throughout the remaining years of the 19th century, Texas saw continued growth and an increasingly diverse population. Anglo American culture is only one of many that have come together to make Texas as unique and diverse as it is today. Anglo American Colonization in The Handbook of Texas Republic of Texas in The Handbook of Texas Secession in The Handbook of Texas Reconstruction in The Handbook of Texas Colonization of Texas from The Texas Historic Commission 'Texas' Anglo Americans for Fourth Graders' from The Institute of Texas Cultures