Thinking Like a Historian
What tool do historians use to put events in order?
a timeline
Which symbol shows direction on a map?
compass rose
Who were the first people to live in Texas?
Indigenous tribes
What was the mission system created to do?
Convert Indigenous people to Christianity.
Who is the “Father of Texas”?
Stephen F. Austin.
What type of source is created during the time of an event?
primary source
Which map feature helps you understand symbols?
legend
Why did explorers come to Texas?
To spread religion, gain wealth, and claim land.
Who ran the Spanish missions?
Missionaries
Why did many Americans move to Texas?
Cheap land and opportunity.
What do artifacts help historians understand?
people’s lives in the past
Why is geography important in Texas history?
It shows where people settled and how they used land.
What is one example of an Indigenous adaptation?
Using natural resources for food or shelter.
Why were missions often built near water?
For crops, drinking water, and transportation.
Why did tensions grow between Texas and Mexico?
Mexico stopped U.S. immigration and banned slavery.
Why do historians study timelines?
To see how events connect and when they happened.
What is a map scale used for?
To measure distance between places.
Which group came to Texas looking for gold and land?
Spanish explorers.
What else did missions try to teach Indigenous people?
Spanish language and farming.
Why was the Battle of the Alamo important?
It inspired Texans to fight for independence.
Give one example of a primary source.
Letters, diaries, photos, tools (any correct example).
How can geography affect how groups live?
It influences food, shelter, and clothing.
What major effect did European exploration have on Indigenous people?
Loss of land and population due to disease
Why did some Indigenous groups resist the mission system?
They wanted to keep their cultures and traditions
Who led the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution?
Santa Anna.