Thinking Like a Historian
What do historians study to learn about the past?
Primary and secondary sources
What are the four major geographic regions of Texas?
Mountains & Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, Coastal Plains
Who mapped the Texas coast in 1519?
Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
What was the main purpose of Spanish missions?
To spread Christianity and claim land
What is an empresario?
An agent who brings settlers to a colony
Cause: Spain wants to spread Christianity. → Effect: ?
Spain builds missions across Texas.
What does “point of view” mean when analyzing a source?
The author’s opinion or perspective shaped by their experiences
How does geography influence how people live?
It affects housing, food, and ways of life
Who survived a shipwreck and wrote about Texas Natives?
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
What was a presidio?
A Spanish military fort that protected missions
What promise did settlers make to the Mexican government?
To obey Mexican laws and support the Catholic religion.
Cause: France begins exploring Texas. → Effect: ?
Spain increases its colonization efforts.
who are your favorite social studies teachers
miss sanchez and mr. salgado
Which Native group built adobe homes and farmed in dry areas?
Puebloan (Jumano)
Why did Spanish explorers come to Texas?
To find gold and claim land for Spain
Who founded the first mission in East Texas?
Fray Damián Massanet
What did settlers have to promise under Mexican law?
Become Catholic, obey Mexican laws, and be loyal to Mexico
Cause: Mexico gains independence from Spain. → Effect: ?
Texas becomes part of Mexico.
Who do the girls play today?
Monahans
Which Native group were nomadic hunters following bison?
Plains Indians (Comanche, Apache)
What happened to La Salle’s French expedition?
It failed—he was killed, but it led Spain to re-colonize Texas
Why did many missions fail?
Harsh conditions, disease, and Native resistance
Why did the Mexican government create the empresario system?
To attract settlers and control Texas
Cause: Mexico needs settlers for Texas. → Effect: ?
Empresario system established.
Why is bias still useful in history?
Because it shows the author’s perspective and helps us understand context
How did physical geography affect where Native groups settled?
Groups settled based on access to water, fertile land, and resources
How did contact between Spanish explorers and Native Americans change life for Native groups in Texas?
Many Native groups died from disease, were forced to work in missions, and adopted new animals, foods, and tools brought by the Spanish.
What lasting influences did Spain leave in Texas?
Spanish language, religion, architecture, and place names
Name two cultural differences that caused tension between Anglos and Mexicans.
Religion, slavery, and language differences
Cause: Cultural differences between settlers and Mexican officials. → Effect: ?
Rising tensions that led to the Texas Revolution.