Early Explorers
Which Spanish explorer is known for being shipwrecked and exploring parts of Texas in 1528?
Cabeza de Vaca
What was the final battle of the Texas Revolution?
Battle of San Jacinto
Who was the first president of the Republic of Texas?
Sam Houston
Did Texas join the Union or the Confederacy during the Civil War?
Confederacy
What natural resource caused a boom in Texas in the early 1900s?
Oil
What was the main goal of Spanish explorers coming to the New World?
God, Gold, Glory
Who was the commander of the Texan army during the Revolution?
Sam Houston
What year did Texas become a republic?
1836
What was Juneteenth, and why is it important in Texas history?
It marks the day enslaved people in Texas were told they were free (June 19, 1865)
What was the name of the famous oil gusher that started the Texas oil boom in 1901?
Spindletop
Which French explorer established Fort St. Louis in Texas?
La Salle
What famous battle took place at an old Spanish mission in 1836?
The Battle of the Alamo
Why did the Republic of Texas face financial problems?
The new republic had war debt and few ways to make money
Who was the U.S. President during most of the Civil War?
Abraham Lincoln
What is a “boomtown”?
A town that grew quickly due to economic opportunity (like oil)
What impact did Spanish missions have on Native Texans?
They tried to convert Native Americans and change their way of life.
What document did Texans sign on March 2, 1836?
The Texas Declaration of Independence
What was the capital of the Republic of Texas under President Lamar?
Austin
How did the Civil War affect Texas’s economy?
Trade was blocked, causing shortages and economic hardship
How did the oil industry change life in Texas?
Created jobs, led to the growth of cities, and increased wealth
Why did Spain and France compete for land in Texas during the 1600s and 1700s?
They both wanted control of land and resources in the Americas
Why was the Battle of Gonzales called the "Lexington of Texas"?
It was the first battle of the Texas Revolution, like Lexington in the American Revolution
What were some challenges Texas faced in becoming a U.S. state?
Conflict with Mexico, slavery issues, and balancing free vs. slave states in the U.S.
What was the goal of Reconstruction after the Civil War?
To rebuild the South and bring it back into the Union.
What challenges did boomtowns face during the oil boom?
Overcrowding, crime, poor sanitation, and unstable economies.