2024-2025 UIL 7th grade Social Studies study guide

Main items I need to study:

  • Locations of major cities in Texas

  • Types of government

  • Native American tribes of Texas

  • Current Texas government positions

  • Amendments

  • Explorers from Study Packet

  • Regions of Texas

  • Latino culture and immigration in Texas

  • Colonization in Texas and American

Locations of Major Cities in Texas

Some major cities in Texas are:

  1. Houston

  2. San Antonio

  3. Dallas

  4. Austin

  5. Fort Worth

  6. El Paso

  7. Arlington

  8. Corpus Christi

  9. Plano

  10. Lubbock

Types of Government:

  • Democracy: A system where the citizens exercise power by voting.

  • Republic: A government in which representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.

  • Monarchy: A form of government with a monarch at the head, where the position is usually inherited.

  • Oligarchy: A power structure where a small group of people have control over a country or organization.

  • Federal Government
    The top level, established by the U.S. Constitution, with three branches:

    • Legislative: U.S. Congress (House & Senate), makes federal laws.

    • Executive: Led by the President, enforces laws.

    • Judicial: U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts, interprets laws.

  • State Governments
    Each state has its own government, similar in structure to the federal level:

    • Legislative: State legislature, makes state laws.

    • Executive: Governor, enforces state laws.

    • Judicial: State courts, interprets state laws.

  • Local Governments
    Handles local services. Types include:

    • County: Manages regional services like law enforcement and health.

    • Municipal (City/Town): Handles city-specific services like police and zoning.

    • Township: Governs rural areas in some states.

    • Special Districts: Focused on specific tasks like schools or water.

  • Tribal Governments
    Recognized Native American tribes have self-governing authority, often with a tribal council, courts, and leaders like chiefs.

Native American tribes in Texas

  • Caddo -

    • Lived in East Texas, known for their agricultural practices and complex social structures.

    • Practiced farming, growing crops such as corn, beans, and squash.

    • Established permanent villages and engaged in trade with neighboring tribes.

  • Comanche -

    • Nomadic people who roamed the plains, primarily hunting buffalo.

    • Known for their skilled horsemanship and warrior culture.

    • Developed a strong trading network and had a significant impact on the Southern Plains.

  • Apache -

    • A group of tribes, including the Lipan Apache, who lived in West and Central Texas.

    • They were semi-nomadic, known for hunting, raiding, and trading.

  • Karankawa -

    • Resided along the Gulf Coast of Texas, known for their fishing and gathering skills.

    • They were semi-nomadic and moved according to the seasons and resources.

    • Utilized dugout canoes for fishing and transportation.

  • Tonkawa -

    • Inhabited in Central Texas.

    • They were hunter-gatherers, primarily hunting bison, and known for their alliance with various European settlers.

  • Coahuiltecan -

    • A collection of small, nomadic tribes in South Texas.

    • They lived in harsh environments, relying on hunting, gathering, and seasonal migration.

  • Kiowa -

    • A plains tribe that migrated into the Texas Panhandle, known for their buffalo hunting, tipis, and intricate beadwork.

    • They often allied with the Comanche.

  • Jumano -

    • A trading tribe located in West Texas, particularly along the Rio Grande.

    • They were known for their connections with other tribes and their skills in agriculture and trade.

  • Apache -

    • A nomadic tribe that inhabited the Southwest region, recognized for their fierce warrior culture and adaptability to various environments.

    • They relied heavily on raiding neighboring tribes and were skilled in horseback riding.

  • Pueblo Peoples -

    • Lived in the western parts of Texas; known for their adobe homes and agriculture.

    • Developed intricate irrigation to support farming.

    • Maintained rich cultural traditions including pottery and ceremonial practices.

Current Texas government positions

State Executive Branch

  • Governor: Chief executive of Texas, enforces state laws, oversees the executive branch, and can veto legislation. Current Governor: Greg Abbott.

  • Lieutenant Governor: President of the Texas Senate, influential in legislative matters. Current: Dan Patrick.

  • Attorney General: Chief legal officer, handles state legal issues and law enforcement. Current: Ken Paxton.

  • Comptroller: Manages state finances and budget. Current: Glenn Hegar.

  • Land Commissioner: Oversees public lands, mineral rights, and veterans' programs. Current: Dawn Buckingham.

  • Agriculture Commissioner: Regulates agriculture and food safety. Current: Sid Miller.

  • Secretary of State: Appointed by the Governor, handles elections and state records. Current: Jane Nelson.

State Legislative Branch

  • Texas Senate: 31 members, led by the Lieutenant Governor.

  • Texas House of Representatives: 150 members, led by the Speaker. Current Speaker: Dade Phelan.

Judicial Branch

  • Texas Supreme Court: Highest court for civil cases, with nine justices.

  • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: Highest court for criminal cases, with nine judges.

Local Government

  • County Judge: Oversees county administration.

  • Mayor: Elected city executive.

  • City Council: Elected members handling city policies.

  • County Commissioners: Manage county services and infrastructure.

The Bill of Rights (Amendments 1-10)

  1. 1st Amendment (1791) - Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

  2. 2nd Amendment (1791) - Right to keep and bear arms.

  3. 3rd Amendment (1791) - No quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

  4. 4th Amendment (1791) - Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

  5. 5th Amendment (1791) - Rights in criminal cases, including due process, protection against double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.

  6. 6th Amendment (1791) - Right to a fair trial, including the right to a speedy trial, an impartial jury, and legal counsel.

  7. 7th Amendment (1791) - Right to a jury trial in civil cases.

  8. 8th Amendment (1791) - Protection against excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

  9. 9th Amendment (1791) - Rights retained by the people, even if not specifically mentioned in the Constitution.

  10. 10th Amendment (1791) - Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.

Amendments 11-27

  1. 11th Amendment (1795) - Limits lawsuits against states by citizens of another state or foreign country.

  2. 12th Amendment (1804) - Revises the procedure for electing the President and Vice President.

  3. 13th Amendment (1865) - Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.

  4. 14th Amendment (1868) - Grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.; provides equal protection under the law.

  5. 15th Amendment (1870) - Prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

  6. 16th Amendment (1913) - Establishes the federal income tax.

  7. 17th Amendment (1913) - Direct election of U.S. Senators by popular vote.

  8. 18th Amendment (1919) - Prohibits the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol (Prohibition).

  9. 19th Amendment (1920) - Grants women the right to vote.

  10. 20th Amendment (1933) - Changes the dates for presidential and congressional terms; "Lame Duck" Amendment.

  11. 21st Amendment (1933) - Repeals the 18th Amendment (ends Prohibition).

  12. 22nd Amendment (1951) - Limits the President to two terms in office.

  13. 23rd Amendment (1961) - Grants residents of Washington D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections.

  14. 24th Amendment (1964) - Abolishes poll taxes in federal elections.

  15. 25th Amendment (1967) - Establishes procedures for presidential succession and disability.

  16. 26th Amendment (1971) - Lowers the voting age to 18.

  17. 27th Amendment (1992) - Delays any law that changes congressional salaries from taking effect until after the next election.

Important Explorers

  • Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca (1528 - 1536)

    • Shipwrecked in Texas, he traveled across the region, documenting his experiences with Native American tribes.

    • His writings provided valuable insights into the cultures and geography of Texas.

  • Francisco Vázquez de Coronado (1540 - 1542)

    • Searched for the legendry Seven Cities of Gold; explored parts of Texas.

    • Encountered various Native American groups and contributed to Europe knowledge of the region.

  • Juan de Oñate (1598)

    • Established the first Spanish settlement in Texas at San Juan Bautista.

    • His expedition helped to assert Spanish claims in the regions

Regions in Texas

Gulf Coast

  • Location: Southeastern Texas along the Gulf of Mexico.

  • Major Cities: Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi.

  • Features: Coastal plains, wetlands, oil and petrochemical industries, major ports, and seafood industry. Known for warm, humid climate and hurricanes.

2. Central Texas

  • Location: The heart of the state, centered around the Hill Country.

  • Major Cities: Austin, San Antonio, Waco.

  • Features: Rolling hills, limestone formations, wineries, tech industry, and music culture. Home to many historical sites, including the Alamo.

3. North Texas

  • Location: North-central part of Texas.

  • Major Cities: Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington.

  • Features: Part of the larger "Metroplex" area, known for business, finance, and technology. Flat prairies and some hilly areas.

4. South Texas

  • Location: Southern part of the state, near the border with Mexico.

  • Major Cities: Laredo, McAllen, Brownsville.

  • Features: A mix of plains and coastal areas, strong Hispanic cultural influence, agriculture, and trade with Mexico. Known for its warm climate and Rio Grande Valley.

5. West Texas

  • Location: Western portion of Texas, covering the Chihuahuan Desert.

  • Major Cities: El Paso, Midland, Odessa.

  • Features: Arid desert and rugged mountains, oil production, and ranching. Sparse population with dramatic landscapes.

6. East Texas

  • Location: Eastern part of Texas, bordering Louisiana.

  • Major Cities: Tyler, Longview, Beaumont.

  • Features: Piney Woods forests, humid climate, agriculture (timber, cattle), and traditional Southern culture.

7. Panhandle

  • Location: Northernmost region of Texas.

  • Major Cities: Amarillo, Lubbock.

  • Features: Flat plains and canyons, agriculture (wheat, cotton), cattle ranching, and a semi-arid climate.

8. Hill Country

  • Location: Central part of Texas, west of Austin and north of San Antonio.

  • Major Cities: Fredericksburg, Kerrville.

  • Features: Rolling hills, rivers, unique flora and fauna, German heritage, popular for outdoor activities and wineries.

9. Rio Grande Valley

  • Location: Southern tip of Texas along the Rio Grande.

  • Major Cities: McAllen

Latino culture and immigration in Texas

Historical Background

Latino influence in Texas dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries with Spanish exploration and settlement. Texas was under Spanish and then Mexican rule until 1836, embedding Latino culture in the state’s architecture, cuisine, and traditions.

Immigration Patterns

  • Early Migration: Many Mexicans moved to Texas in the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially during political instability in Mexico.

  • Mid-20th Century: The Bracero Program (1942-1964) brought Mexican laborers to Texas for agricultural work.

  • Late 20th Century to Present: Immigration continued, driven by economic opportunities and family reunification.

Cultural Impact

  • Language: Spanish is widely spoken, especially in areas like San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley.

  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex, including tacos and fajitas, is a staple.

  • Festivals: Cinco de Mayo, Día de los Muertos, and San Antonio’s Fiesta celebrate Latino heritage.

  • Art and Music: Tejano, mariachi, murals, and folk dances reflect Latino culture.

  • Religion: Catholicism, brought by Spanish missionaries, remains dominant in Latino communities.

Demographic Influence

Latinos make up about 40% of Texas’s population, with Mexican-Americans as the largest group, followed by Central and South Americans.

Political and Economic Contributions

  • Labor: Latino immigrants contribute significantly to agriculture, construction, and small businesses.

  • Politics: As the Latino population grows, it increasingly influences Texas elections and policies on immigration, education, and healthcare.

  • Entrepreneurship: Latino-owned businesses play a key role in Texas’s economy.

Challenges and Issues

  • Immigration Policy: Issues like DACA, sanctuary cities, and border security are major concerns.

  • Education: Access to quality education and overcoming language barriers are ongoing challenges.

  • Healthcare: Access to affordable healthcare remains a significant issue for low-income and undocumented Latinos.

Latino Culture and Immigration in Texas

Immigration Patterns

  • 19th-20th Century: Mexican migration increased during political unrest, such as the Mexican Revolution.

  • Bracero Program: Brought Mexican laborers for agricultural work (1942-1964).

  • Recent Trends: Immigration remains steady, driven by economic and family needs.

Cultural Impact

  • Language: Spanish is widely spoken, especially in Latino-majority regions.

  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex, including tacos and fajitas, is iconic.

  • Traditions: Festivals like Cinco de Mayo and Día de los Muertos celebrate heritage.

  • Art and Religion: Tejano music, murals, and Catholic traditions are key influences.

Demographic and Economic Role

Latinos make up 40% of Texas's population, heavily influencing politics, labor, and entrepreneurship, especially in agriculture, construction, and small business sectors.

Challenges

  • Immigration: Issues like border security and DACA dominate discussions.

  • Education: Language barriers and access to quality schooling are concerns.

  • Healthcare: Affordability and access remain challenges for low-income families.

Colonization in Texas and American

Colonization in Texas

  • Spanish Era: Spain built missions (e.g., San Antonio) to spread Christianity and secure land.

  • Mexican Period (1821-1836): Mexico invited U.S. settlers (Anglos), sparking cultural conflicts and the Texas Revolution.

  • Post-Independence: Texas became a republic, joined the U.S. in 1845, and displaced Native Americans.

Colonization in America

  • European Settlers:

    • Spanish: Focused on missions in the Southwest.

    • French: Developed fur trade in Louisiana.

    • British: Established 13 colonies for agriculture and trade.

  • Native Displacement: Colonization caused disease, conflict, and forced removal (e.g., Trail of Tears).

  • Slavery: Fueled Southern plantation economies, deepening racial inequality.

Key Impacts

  • Cultural Exchange: Introduced European customs while adopting Native practices.

  • Economic Growth: Relied on agriculture, trade, and exploited labor.

  • Population Shifts: Increased European and African migration.

  • Expansion: Displaced Native peoples and led to conflicts like the Mexican-American War.