TExES EC-6 Social Studies 2025

Primary sources

Original documents or original research

Ex: Diaries, interviews, academic research in scholarly journals, etc.

Secondary sources

Works that synthesize, summarize, or interpret primary sources.

Ex: Biographies, textbooks, encyclopedias, etc.

Cultural Diffusion

The spread of ideas and the process by which cultural traits are spread from one group to another.

Ex: People use cotton, which is a fabric developed in India as well as silk, which is developed in China.

What do the Magna Carta, House of Burgesses, and Mayflower Compact have in common?

They were early forms of government that:

• Limited power

• Encouraged self-rule

• Helped shape democracy

What is the reason for the first European exploration of the new colonies?

Wanted to improve economy & spread Christianity

Plymouth Colony

First permanent colony in New England, established by the pilgrims

Virginia House of Burgesses

first European-style form of government in North America

The French and Indian War

Began due to a conflict between England and France over control of the Ohio River Valley. The war ended with a British victory and the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

Mercantilism

Colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country. They are a source of exports that benefit its balance of trade with other powers, increasing the mother country’s supply of goo

The Proclamation of 1763

Issued by King George & stated that the colonists would not be allowed to settle the land to the west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Boston Tea Party

Act of civil disobedience when the colonists in 1773 dumped tea into the Boston harbor to protest taxation.

What do Pinckney, Madison, & Monroe all have in common?

They were all early American leaders who helped shape the U.S. government.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a "league of friendship" between the 13 sovereign states. It created a weak central government with limited powers, primarily focused on foreign affairs, war, and the postal service. The Articles lacked the power to tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws effectively, which ultimately led to its replacement by the United States Constitution. 

Division of Powers

Used to prevent the power of government from being in the hands of one person such as England.

Louisiana Purchase

• Purchase made in 1803 of Louisiana territory from France

• Doubled the size of the U.S.

• Gained complete control over the Mississippi River which impacted trade (river was able to transport goods from N to S & vice versa.)

War of 1812

• Fought between the U.S. and Britain (1812–1815)

• Main causes: British interference with U.S. trade, impressment of American sailors, and British support of Native American resistance

• Key events: Burning of Washington, D.C., Battle of Fort McHenry (inspired The Star-Spangled Banner)

• Ended with the Treaty of Ghent—no land gained or lost

• Proved the U.S. could defend itself; boosted national pride

Monroe Doctrine

• Announced by President James Monroe in 1823

• Told European nations not to colonize or interfere in the Western Hemisphere (North & South America)

• Said the U.S. would stay out of European wars and affairs

• Important because it established the U.S. as a protector of the Americas and a growing world power

What impact did Westward Expansion have on the United States?

• Increased U.S. territory (Louisiana Purchase, Texas, Oregon, California, etc.)

• Encouraged settlement and farming in the West (Homestead Act, railroads)

• Led to conflict with Native American tribes—many were forced off their land

• Spread slavery debates to new territories

• Boosted belief in Manifest Destiny (the idea that the U.S. was meant to expand coast to coast)

3 Gs

God, Gold, & Glory

Bill of Rights

• The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution

• Written to protect individual freedoms and limit government power

1st ammendment

freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition

4th amendment

protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government

5th amendment

right to remain silent

8th amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

13th amendement

Abolishment of slavery

14th amendment

All people born in the U.S. are citizens, all citizens are entitled to equal rights, and those rights are protected by due process

15th amendment

African American men gain the right to vote

18th amendment

Prohibited the sale, transport, production of intoxicating liquors in US

19th amendment

Women gain the right to vote

Who was the first ever peaceful protestor?

Gandhi

Plessy v. Fergusson

Case that legalized segregation, allowing “separate but equal” facilities for blacks and whites.

Brown v. Board of Education

Case that ruled segregation to be unconstitutional in schools

What were push and pull factors in the Great Migration?

Push: Racism, violence, poor jobs in the South

Pull: Factory jobs, better pay, more freedom in the North/West

How did Reconstruction affect Southern farming?

• End of slavery changed farm labor

• Sharecropping became common

• Many farmers stayed poor and in debt

What were some achievements of Reconstruction?

• Public schools in the South for the first time

• Rebuilding roads, hospitals, railroads

• Some civil rights gains (later reversed)

Comanche Indians

**Nomadic

• Northwest Texas (plains)

• Warriors

• Lived in tipis

• Food: Buffalo

Jumano Indians

• West Texas (mountains & basins)

• Lived in Adobe Pueblos

• Sedentary lifestyle

• Food: corn, beans, squash, & buffalo

Lipan Apache Indians

• North Central Texas (plains)

• Horse Riders

• Lived in Tipis

• Food: Buffalo

Coahuiltecan Indians

• Southern Texas (gulf coastal plains)

• Lived in huts connected with reeds

• Formed several separate tribes

• Food: deer, bison, & prickly pear cactus

Tonkawas Indians

• Central Texas (plains)

• Lived in huts & tipis

• Conflict with other tribes

• Food: deer, bison, nuts

Caddo Indians

• Eastern Texas (piney woods)

• Lived in permanent wood frame homes (considered advanced due to permanent village & trading activity)

• Food: Corn, beans, squash, deer

Karankawa Indians

• Central Texas & Gulf region

• Lived in campsites near the shore & wigwams

• 1st to make contact with colonizers

• Food: Deer, bison, fish

Stephen F. Austin

• Father of Texas

• Brought the first 300 families to Texas

• Tried to work with Mexico at first, later helped with Texas Revolution

• Served as diplomat to the U.S.

Why is the Battle of the Alamo important?

• Texans bravely fought against a larger Mexican army

• Inspired others to fight for Texas independence

• Led to the famous phrase: “Remember the Alamo!”

What do the U.S. and Texas Constitutions have in common?

• Both have a Bill of Rights

• Protect civil liberties

• Guarantee equal protection under the law

• Use 3 branches and checks and balances

Why did some Americans oppose Texas annexation in 1845?

• Texas allowed slavery

• Would add a slave state and upset balance

• Gave South more power in Congress

• Might cause war with Mexico

How did the Cold War affect Texas?

• Boosted economy & industry

• Growth in oil, military, & aerospace

• NASA opened in Houston

• Increased military spending brought jobs & development

Physical map

Shows the topography of the Earth (mountains, hills, plains, rivers, oceans)

Political map

Shows how a country is organized

Topographic maps

Mountains and valleys

Thematic map

Show specific topics (ex: democrat & republican areas)

Mississippi River

• Longest river in the U.S.

• Very important resource during the Civil War

Rocky Mountains

Major mountain system in the U.S. and Canada. It extends 3,000 miles from Alaska/British Columbia down to New Mexico.

Appalachian Mountains

• Mountain range that stretches from eastern Canada down to Alabama

How is the Nile River used?

• Protection of agricultural products

• Rich soil for growing crops

India longitude & latitude

20N 77E Meridian

Macroeconomics

The study of the economy as a whole. This includes topics like inflation, unemployment, and economic growth.

Microeconomics

The study of the economic behavior and decision making of small units, such as individuals, families, and businesses.

Theory of supply & demand

• Demand is high & Supply is low - prices go up

• Demand is low & Supply is high - prices go down

Goods & Services

Goods: Physical items you can touch & keep

Services: Actions/work that someone does for you

Tarriffs

Taxes on imports

Scarcity

Gap between limited resources & unlimited wants

(We want more than what we have)

Traditional Economy

A traditional economy follows old customs and traditions to decide how people live, work, and trade. The economy is based on need, not surplus.

Command Economy

Government controls everything

Ex: North Korea, USSR, Nazi Germany

Market Economy

Economy with limited government control, people have a voice, supply & demand, free enterprise.

Monarchy

Type of government where a king or queen rules the nation. The monarch usually inherits power from parents. Monarch can either have supreme powers or limited powers.

Totalitarian

One person or a few people have all of the governing power and authority. Central government controls nearly every aspect of a person’s life.

Ex: North Korea & Cuba

Democracy

Government where the majority rules

What happens in a representative democracy/democratic public?

All eligible citizens can vote

Ex: United States

Executive Branch

• President & VP

• Carries out & enforces laws

Judicial Branch

• Federal court system (Supreme & lower courts)

• Interprets laws & ensures fairness

Legislative Branch

• Congress (Senate & House of Representatives)

• Make laws

Marbury v. Madison

1st case where Supreme Court declared a law unconstitutional, which created the idea of judicial review. This strengthened the Judicial Branch

Electoral College

The body of electors who formally elect the U.S. President & VP

What is an appropriate Social Studies topic to teach in 1st grade?

Basic map skills like using a compass rose

Is a teacher giving students puzzles an example of equilibration?

No