Natural Texas & Its People
water stored underground.
Aquifer
Largest region; forests, rivers, fertile soil, Gulf Coast; most Texans live here
Coastal Plains
Spanish explorers came to Texas searching for wealth and new lands. What does this suggest was one major motivation for Spanish exploration?
Gold
Why did Spain establish missions in Texas?
To convert Native Americans to Christianity and strengthen Spain's claim to Texas
Why was Father Miguel Hidalgo important to the history of Mexico and Texas?
He helped begin the movement for Mexican independence from Spain.
Cause and Effect
The Mexican government passed the Law of April 6, 1830, which restricted immigration from the United States and increased Mexican control over Texas.
Why did this law increase tensions in Texas?
Many Texas settlers believed Mexico was limiting their opportunities and freedoms.
land where water collects and drains.
Basin
Rolling hills and grasslands; farming and ranching
North Central Plains
After exploring the Texas coast, Alonso Álvarez de Pineda created a map of the Gulf Coast. Why was this more important than simply knowing where he traveled?
What is helping later explorers understand and navigate the Gulf Coast?
Which statement best explains why Spain became more interested in establishing settlements in Texas after La Salle's expedition?
Spain feared France might challenge its claim to the region.
Which was an important result of Mexico gaining independence from Spain in 1821?
Texas became part of the new nation of Mexico.
Texans wrote the Turtle Bayou Resolutions in 1832. In the resolutions, they stated their support for the Mexican Constitution of 1824. What does this evidence suggest about many Texans at this time?
They were protesting government policies while still claiming loyalty to Mexico.
a deep valley with steep sides.
Canyon
High, flat plains; grasslands; ranching and agriculture
Great Plains
Cabeza de Vaca spent years traveling through Texas and later reported what he had seen. How could his reports influence future Spanish exploration?
What is providing Spain with information about the land, people, and possible opportunities in Texas?
Spanish missions and presidios often developed near one another. Why?
Presidios provided military protection for missions and settlements.
Why did the Mexican government encourage immigration into Texas during the 1820s?
To increase the population and develop the region
Why was the Battle of Gonzales significant to the Texas Revolution?
It was the first military conflict of the Texas Revolution.
features that make something unique
Defining characteristics
Mountains, deserts, dry climate; least populated region
Mountains and Basins
Imagine you are a Spanish explorer and your expedition runs out of supplies hundreds of miles from a Spanish settlement. What geographic knowledge would be most important for survival?
What is knowing where to find fresh water, food, and safe routes?
Which was an important purpose of a Spanish presidio?
Protecting missions and Spanish territory
Which statement best describes the role of an empresario in Mexican Texas?
An empresario brought settlers to Texas under contracts with the government.
William B. Travis wrote his famous “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World” letter while defending the Alamo. What was Travis's main purpose for writing the letter?
To request reinforcements and support
a steep drop between two areas of land.
Escarpment
Explain why the Coastal Plains has a larger population than the Mountains and Basins region.
What is greater access to water, fertile land, transportation, and major cities?
Why would the presence of the French change Spain's attitude toward Texas?
What is Spain feared that France might claim Texas
How did the geography of Texas influence the location of Spanish missions and settlements?
Spaniards usually selected locations near useful resources such as water and fertile land.
Why is Stephen F. Austin important to the Mexican National Era of Texas history?
He helped bring hundreds of Anglo-American families to settle in Texas.
While defenders were fighting at the Alamo, delegates met at the Convention of 1836.
Which important action did the delegates take?
They wrote and adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence.
important time periods in history.
Major Eras
Name the four major natural regions of Texas.
What are the Coastal Plains, North Central Plains, Great Plains, and Mountains and Basins
What country did René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle explore for
France
Which cause-and-effect relationship best describes French influence on Spanish Texas?
French exploration → Spain increased efforts to establish missions and settlements in Texas
Which conclusion can be drawn from Mexico's use of the empresario system?
Mexico wanted to increase settlement and economic development in Texas.
James Fannin surrendered his forces after the Battle of Coleto. Most of the captured Texian soldiers were later executed at Goliad. How did the Goliad Massacre affect the Texas Revolution?
It increased anger and determination among many Texians fighting Mexico.
an area with features in common.
Regions
A family moves to a part of Texas with a dry climate, desert vegetation, mountains, and limited rainfall. Which natural region did they most likely move to.
What is the Mountains and Basins region?
What river was La Salle trying to find when he accidentally reached Texas?
Mississippi River
What was one important role of Spanish missions in Texas?
Teaching Spanish religion, language, and customs to Native Americans
How were Martín De León and Stephen F. Austin similar?
Both were empresarios who established colonies in Texas.
Sam Houston ordered the Texian army to retreat eastward before eventually fighting Santa Anna at San Jacinto. Which statement best explains Houston's strategy?
He wanted time to strengthen and prepare his army before choosing when to fight.
sun-dried mud bricks used for building.
Adobe
A farmer wants land with plenty of rainfall, rivers, and a long growing season. Which Texas region would probably be the best location?
What is the Coastal Plains?
What settlement did La Salle establish in Texas?
Fort St. Louis
A student is studying a settlement containing a church, farmland, workshops, and housing where Spanish missionaries worked with Native Americans. What type of settlement is the student most likely studying?
Mission
The Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824 combined Texas with Coahuila to form the state of Coahuila y Tejas. What was one effect of this decision on Texans?
Texas shared a state government with Coahuila.
Juan N. Seguín supported the Texas Revolution and commanded Tejano forces. Why is Seguín's participation historically significant?
It shows that some Tejanos also opposed Santa Anna's government and supported the Texas cause.
a group’s way of life.
Culture(s)
A photograph shows mountains, desert vegetation, rocky land, and very little rainfall. What can you infer about population density there compared with wetter parts of Texas?
What is a lower population
What important area did Pineda explore and map?
The Gulf Coast, including the Texas coastline.
Which statement best explains a long-term effect of Spanish colonization on Texas?
Spanish culture influenced Texas place names, religion, architecture, ranching traditions, and language.
CAUSE: Mexico passed colonization laws that offered settlers opportunities to obtain inexpensive land in Texas. Which was the most likely EFFECT?
Immigration into Texas increased.
Battle of Gonzales → Alamo → Goliad → Battle of San Jacinto What conclusion is best supported by this sequence?
The Texians experienced serious defeats but continued fighting until achieving a decisive victory.
a person or group of people who moves from place to place.
Nomad/Nomadic
wo regions both contain grasslands, but one has higher elevations, a drier climate, and the Caprock Escarpment. Which region is it
What is the Great Plains?
What was Pineda's most important contribution to the exploration of Texas?
He mapped the Gulf Coast.
What is Coach Langford's first name
Horace
During the Mexican National Era, many Anglo-American settlers moved into Texas. Over time, the Anglo population grew rapidly.
Which challenge was Mexico most likely to face as a result of this population change?
Maintaining Mexican authority and encouraging settlers to follow Mexican laws
At the Battle of San Jacinto, Sam Houston's army launched a surprise attack against Santa Anna's forces. The Texians won the battle and captured Santa Anna. Why was this battle a turning point in Texas history?
It secured a decisive Texian victory that led to the establishment of the Republic of Texas.