TEXAS HISTORY REVIEW QUESTIONS

Mountains and Basins region

A hot and dry area with the highest elevations in Texas and the lowest population in the state.

North Central Plains region

Region characterized by ranching, rolling plains, lower elevations than the Great Plains, grasses, brush, trees, mild temperatures, and the second most rain in Texas.

Coastal plains

Region with the most dependable water supply due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico.

Piney Woods

Region where wood and oil are the main industries.

Land bridge

Formation of glaciers between Asia and America, allowing the first humans to come to America.

Plains Indian tribes

All Plains tribes were nomadic, relying on buffalo as their primary source of food and clothing.

Cabeza de Vaca

A shipwrecked Spaniard who lived as a captive and became one of the first to land on Galveston Island.

Diseases in Native Americans

Many Native Americans died from diseases such as smallpox and influenza after Europeans arrived, as they lacked immunities to these diseases.

Significance of 1519

Year the first European explorer mapped the Texas coast.

Hernan Cortez

Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in Mexico.

Fort St. Louis

Established by the French, which prompted a Spanish military response to find and destroy it.

Alonso de Pineda

Explorer known for being the first to map the Texas coastline.

Coronado

Spanish explorer who searched for the legendary cities of gold (Cibola) in North America.

La Salle

French explorer who sought the mouth of the Mississippi River for establishing a colony.

Luis de Moscoso de Alvarado

Led an expedition in North America after Hernando de Soto's death, exploring much of the southeastern U.S.

Tejano culture

Influenced Texas history with some aligning with American ways and others remaining loyal to Mexico, impacting perceptions during the Texas Revolution.

Missions in Texas

Established primarily to spread Catholicism and convert Native Americans.

Failure of Spanish missions

Due to decreased Native American populations, refusal to adopt mission life, drought, disease, and economic burdens.

Los Adaes

Established as a fort by San Miguel de Aguayo to protect soldier-settlers.

San Francisco de los Tejas

First permanent European settlement in East Texas.

Colonel Jose de Escandon

Spaniard known for establishing new settlements along the Rio Grande, including Laredo.

Presidio San Antonio de Bexar

Established in 1718, which later became San Antonio.

Gutierrez-Magee expedition

Contributed to Mexico's independence from Spain and ended at the Battle of Medina.

Colonel Jose Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara

Organized the Army of the North which captured several key locations from Spanish control.

Significance of 1821

Year Mexico achieved independence from Spain.

Father Miguel Hidalgo

Gave the Grito de Dolores, calling for the Mexican revolt against Spain.

Adams-Onis Treaty

Treaty where Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. and set Texas's eastern boundary at the Sabine River.

Moses Austin

Traveled to Texas in 1820 due to debt from a failed business and to help Americans affected by a poor economy.

Reasons settlers came to Texas

Pursued cheap land, adventure, personal gain, and escaping problems, mostly from the United States.

Empresarios in Texas

Stephen F. Austin, Green DeWitt, and Martin de Leon, who were instrumental in settling Texas.

Father of Texas

Stephen F. Austin is known as the ‘Father of Texas’ for his role in its colonization.

Constitution of 1824

Established a federalist government allowing states more control over their way of life.

Mexican officials' concerns

Worried about the increasing number of American settlers potentially taking control.

Support for Constitution of 1824

Texans favored it for allowing greater local control.

Fredonian Rebellion

An early attempt by Texan settlers to declare independence from Mexico in 1826, reinforcing Mexican fears.

Law of April 6, 1830

Legislation that imposed customs duties, halted immigration from the U.S., and canceled empresario grants.

Anger over Law of April 6, 1830

Led to tensions between Texans and Mexican officials due to taxes and immigration restrictions.

Significance of 1836

Year Texas declared independence from Mexico.

Battle of Gonzales

First battle of the Texas Revolution, symbolizing resistance against Mexican authority.

Capture of San Antonio

Significant victory clearing Texas of Mexican troops.

George Childress

Sole author of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

William Barrett Travis

Best known for commanding Texas forces at the Battle of the Alamo.

William Barrett Travis's letter

Regarded as a heroic document in Texas history.

Santa Anna’s red flag

Indicates no surrender would be offered by Santa Anna, threatening execution of Alamo defenders.

Goliad Massacre

Execution of prisoners from the Battle of Coleto on Santa Anna’s orders.

Battle of San Jacinto

Final battle of the Texas Revolution which Texans won in just 18 minutes.

Runaway Scrape

Mass movement of settlers fleeing east from Santa Anna's advancing army.

Twin Sisters

A pair of six-pound cannons donated from Ohio, used in the Texas Revolution.

Santa Anna after San Jacinto

Captured following the Battle of San Jacinto.

Republic of Texas and Mexico

Texas was not recognized as independent by Mexico due to claims of illegal treaties.

Texas annexation and the U.S.

Blocked due to the strong anti-slavery movement that raised concerns over balancing free and slave states.

Sam Houston's second term

Not permitted under the Texas Constitution of 1836 due to consecutive term restrictions.

Lamar's military expedition to Santa Fe

Failed as soldiers were captured and imprisoned by the Mexican army.

Houston's first presidency challenges

Faced lack of recognition, significant public debt, and ongoing Native American raids.

Differences between Houston and Lamar

Diverged on issues like Native American policy, debt management, capital location, and U.S. annexation.

Major cash crop in Texas

The most favored cash crop was cotton.

Subsistence farming

Agriculture practice where farmers grow food solely for personal use, not for sale.

Texas joining the U.S.

Occurred via Joint Resolution allowing Texas to retain public lands.

President Van Buren's hesitations about annexation

Concern over slavery's impact on state balance and potential war with Mexico.

Reasons Texans favored annexation

Desired financial stability, cultural ties, and improved trade opportunities.

Northern vs. Southern Democrats

Southern Democrats supported slavery universally; Northern Democrats preferred local law-making capacity on slavery.

Most popular political party in Texas

Democrats, due to their support for farmers, workers, slavery, and annexation.

Border claims between U.S. and Mexico

U.S. claimed the Rio Grande as the border; Mexico claimed it was the Nueces River.

Manifest Destiny and the U.S.-Mexican War

Manifest Destiny fueled desires for Western territory, leading to conflict with Mexico.

Event dates Order

1. Louisiana Purchase (1803), 2. Neutral Ground (1806), 3. Adams-Onis Treaty (1819), 4. Mexican Independence (1821).