Texas History

Fredonian Rebellion

An unsuccessful rebellion against Mexico in a failed attempt at Texas independence.

Temperance

A movement that began in the 1840's, dedicated to promoting moderation and even abstinence in the consumption of alcohol.

Invasion of Iraq

United States invasion in 2003 based upon the believe that Saddam Hussein had control of weapons of mass destruction

Surrender at Goliad

Overrun and outnumbered, Colonel James W. Fannin and his men surrendered to Mexican forces. All captured rebels were killed.

Reconstruction

The period after the Civil War where the Confederate states and the Union states began the rebuilding of a single nation. Legislation was passed to ensure equality for former slaves, but longterm impacts were limited.

The Battle of Gonzales

first battle in the war over Texas independence when Mexico attempted to disarm the city of Gonzales by removing their cannon

Presidios

fortified bases built by the Spanish in the New World

Conquistadores

Spanish explorers who searched for and found expansive amounts of gold in the New World.

Encomienda

grants from the crown giving the receivers the right to extract as much wealth for themselves from a specific area as possible, either through native labor or through the payment of tributes

Jack Coffee Hays

Captain of the Texas Rangers during the early 1840s, a leader during the Mexican-American War, and later became a prominent Democratic politician.

Alonso Álvarez de Pineda

a Spanish explorer who, in 1519, mapped the coast of Texas as well as surrounding coastlines.

Juan N. Seguín

Fought for Texas independence at the battle of San Jacinto and later became the mayor of San Antonio.

Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

Spanish explorer searching for the Seven Cities of Gold. He arrived in Texas when a hurricane pushed him and his men ashore in 1529.

Miguel Hidalgo

One of the first leaders in the Mexican fight for independence from Spain. His attempt was unsuccessful and he was executed.

Antonio López de Santa Anna

The Mexican president who led the Mexican troops against Texas as Texas fought for independence.

Coahuiltecan

An accumulation of several tribes that shared language and culture. Nomadic hunters and gatherers found widespread throughout South Texas

Texas Revolution

A fight between American colonists in Texas and the Mexican government between 1835 and 1836

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

a law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination

Bush v Gore

The United States Supreme Court case that ended recounts and resolved the 2000 presidential election in favor of Bush.

José María Morelos

a priest and leader in Mexico's fight for independence

Craig Anthony Washington

served in the Texas State House of Representatives, the Texas Senate, and the United States House of Representatives; known for voting in unexpected ways

Sieur De La Salle

French explorer who founded the first permanent colony in Texas, Fort St. Louis, in 1685

Texas Declaration of Independence

Republic of Texas was formed with this Declaration on March 2, 1836

Stephen F. Austin

led the successful settlement of Texas in 1825

Spindletop

An oil derrick in Beaumont, Texas that became the most productive derreck in the world in 1901, producing over 100,000 barrels in a day and bringing a boom to Texas' oil and gas industry

Davy Crockett

Joined the Texas Revolution to fight against Mexico and was killed at the Battle of the Alamo

Francisco Vasquez De Coronado

Conquistador who searched for the mythical "Seven Cities of Gold" in 1540. Expedition failed but did pave the way for future European influence in Texas lands.

Kay Bailey Hutchison

first female senator from Texas; served from 1993 until 2013

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

The Treaty signed in 1848 that ended the Mexican-American War, sparked by the Texas Revolution. Gave the US an additional 525,000 square miles for $15,000,000.

James Bowie

A soldier in the Texas Revolution who was killed at the Battle of the Alamo and is considered a hero

Sam Houston

A leader in the Texas Revolution (won surprise attack over Santa Anna and his troops at the Battle of San Jacinto). Elected the first president of the new republic.

The Law of April 6, 1830

Passed by Mexico, it restricted all future immigration of Americans into Texas.

Eddie Bernice Johnson

first registered nurse to be elected to congress; elected in 1993 and served until her death in 2023

Moses Austin

planned and secured approval for the settlement of what is now Austin, Texas

Juneteenth

June 19, 1865: The day Union troops emancipated the slaves of Texas

Women's Suffrage

The right of women to vote in political elections.

Alcalde

The head of a town in the Spanish territory in the New World

William B. Travis

A lieutenant colonel in the Texas Army who fought and died in the battle of the Alamo

James Fannin

Died leading a group of Texas rebels in the battle of Goliad during the battle for independence.

Battle of San Jacinto

April, 1836, led by Sam Houston. The final battle of the Texas Revolution, ending in Santa Anna's defeat and the signing of a treaty granting Texas independence from Mexico. (However, Mexico disavowed Santa Anna and the treaty was contested)

The September 11 Attacks (9/11)

A series of four coordinated attacks by al-Qaeda on the United States. Caused the destruction of the World Trade Towers and damage to the Pentagon.

Henry B. Gonzalez

first Mexican-American to serve as a state representative, run for Governor of Texas, and serve in the United States House of Representatives

Treaty of Córdoba

the treaty recognizing Mexico's independence from Spain

Clean Air Act

US federal law aimed at reducing air pollution and protecting public health and the environment by regulating emissions of pollutants from various sources, including vehicles, factories, and power plants

Thornton Affair

1846 Mexican military attack against US forces in Texas that began the Mexican-American War

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

a 2002 federal law that focused on holding schools accountable for student learning and achievement and was initially developed to assist disadvantaged students

George W. Bush

43rd president of the United States; a Republican, in office during the September 11th Attacks; entered the U.S. into controversial conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan

The Battle of The Alamo

Attack led by Santa on mission of Alamo beginning on March 6, 1836. Remembered for the Texans who died including Colonel William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie. A devastating defeat of Texas fighters by Mexico, but seen as a turning point in the war leading to Texas achieving independence.

Comanche

Nomadic Native American hunters and gatherers who were fierce warriors and skilled traders, found in the northern Texas grasslands

Karankawa

Not much is known, but believed to be hunters and gatherers in the Central and Gulf regions who were the first Native Americans to come into contact with European explorers, and suffered greatly because of this

General Agustín Iturbide

one of the leaders of Mexico's fight for independence and first leader of Mexico following independence

Caddo

Farming and hunting tribe found in eastern Texas that made permanent structures of wood and mud.

Plan of Iguala

plan to guide Mexico after it gained independence from Spain in 1821

1) the official adoption of Catholicism

2) the equality and unity of all Mexican citizens

3) the creation of a constitutional monarchy

Gulf War

the 1990 war that resulting from Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait.

Barbara Jordan

first African American elected to the Texas Senate and first Southern African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives

George Childress

Believed to have been the primary author of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

James Farmer

helped organize sit-ins and freedom rides and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998

Acequias

Shared community waterways used to irrigate agriculture in Spanish territories of the New World

War On Terror

U.S. response to the attacks on 9/11. Iraq, Iran, and North Korea were labeled the “Axis of Evil.”

Tonkawas

Hunters and gatherers in the Gulf Region of Texas who lived in huts and teepees and were enemies to the Comanches

Hector Garcia

First Mexican-American to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Empresarios

Settlers given a contract by the Spanish crown given unrestricted rights to settle in a region as long as they assumed full responsibility for recruiting and governing colonists in their region.

Example

Stephen F. Austin