Texas History
Coastal Plains
Which natural region of Texas receives the highest average annual rainfall and supports the highest population density?
Elevation increases while average annual rainfall decreases.
As a traveler moves from East Texas to West Texas, what primary geographical trend occurs in elevation and rainfall?
Which Spanish explorer was shipwrecked off the coast of Galveston Island in 1528 and later wrote a detailed narrative titled La Relación about his survival and observations of Native Texan tribes?
Who is Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca ?
Gold, God, and Glory
The Spanish '3 Gs' stood for acquiring mineral wealth (Gold), spreading Catholic Christianity (God), and securing national prestige and military status (Glory).
What three main motives drove 16th-century Spanish conquistadors during their exploration of North America?
The rich agriculture center provided ample localized food without needing to move seasonally
Why did the Caddo native group develop permanent timber-frame grass homes rather than lightweight, portable hide tipis?
Spainish Explorers failed to locate rich civilizations or vast gold reserves
Why did early Spanish exploration in Texas largely decline during the late 1500s following the Coronado and Moscoso expeditions?
They relied on irrigation from rivers to farm adobe-built settlements
How did the physical geography of the Mountains and Basins region directly impact the lifestyle of the Jumano people?
This happens at Balcones Escarpement
Which natural landmark serves as a major steep slope separating the Coastal Plains from the higher Great Plains?
Elevation increases as precipitation decreases
What primary geographic trend occurs across Texas when moving in a straight path from the Gulf Coast in the east toward El Paso in the west?
Mountains and Basins is located far to the west with high desert ranges and few large cities outside El Paso. North Central Plains
Which Texas natural region contains major urban centers like Dallas and Fort Worth and features rolling, grass-covered hills and timberlands?
Coastal plains
Which major natural region of Texas covers the largest total land area and receives the most annual rainfall?
`Karankawa
Which nomadic coastal native group used shark oil as insect repellent and lived in portable wicki ups along the barrier islands of Texas?
Plains Indians
Which native culture group was nomadic, lived in tipis, and relied heavily on the bison for food, shelter, and tools?
This group used dugout canoes to move seasonally for fish and game
What primary adaptation enabled Karankawa bands to survive along the harsh barrier islands of the Gulf Coast?
Balcones Escarpment
Which physical landmark serves as a major steep, cliff-like boundary line dividing the Coastal Plains from the Great Plains in central Texas?
Using dugout canoes to move between islands and harvest fish and shellfish
What primary adaptation enabled the Karankawa people to extract food resources from coastal lagoons and barrier islands?
Luis de Moscoso Alvardo
Which Spanish expedition member took command after Hernando de Soto died and led his party into East Texas in 1542?
Rio Grande
What major geographical feature forms the entire southern political boundary of Texas separating it from Mexico?
This allowed the Native to be dominant hunters and warriors on the plains
How did the introduction of the horse by Spanish explorers transform life for the Comanche?
North Central plains
Which Texas natural region contains the major metropolitan areas of Dallas, Fort Worth, and Wichita Falls within its rolling plains?
This motivated Spain to renew expansion and build permanent missions in East Texas.
La Salle's French outpost alarmed the Spanish crown into establishing missions and permanent settlements in East Texas to protect their territorial claims. Spain responded aggressively to hold onto Texas rather than ceding territory to France
How did the French establishment of Fort St. Louis by Sieur de La Salle in 1685 impact Spanish policy in Texas
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado Correct answer Coronado led an expedition through the High Plains and Palo Duro Canyon searching vainly for Seven Cities of Gold.
Which Spanish explorer crossed the Texas Panhandle while searching for the legendary golden city of Cibola and the wealth of Quivira?
The Horse
What technological advancement brought by Europeans completely transformed Plains native groups into powerful horseback warriors and buffalo hunters?
Differences in local climate and natural resources required unique regional adaptations.
Which factor best explains why native groups in West Texas (like the Jumano) developed vastly different cultures than native groups in East Texas (like the Caddo)?
This groups rich agricultural system provided surplus food in one place
Why did the Caddo people build large, permanent dome-shaped grass houses rather than portable shelters?
Regional climate and geography dictated whether tribes farmed or hunted
How did the availability of natural resources influence food sources across Texas Native American cultures before European contact?
The Jumano of the Puebloan culture adapted to the desert environment by building permanent adobe dwellings and practicing river-valley farming
Which native culture group inhabited the dry Mountains and Basins region and lived in multi-story adobe homes along the Rio Grande?
It meant 'friend' or 'ally' and gave Texas its modern name.
What was the significance of the word Tejas, adapted from the Caddo language by early Spanish visitors?
High Plains
Which high plateau sub-region within the Texas Great Plains is known for flat grasslands, steep canyons like Palo Duro, and major cattle ranching?
Flat grasslands and river valleys supported extensive cattle ranching and farming.
How did the physical geography of the North Central Plains region influence the economic development of cities like Fort Worth?