Major Eras
What is the Age of Contact?
Early 1500s - Late 1600s; when Spainards arrived in Texas searching for gold and encountered Native Americans
What happened in 1519
Alonso Alvarez de Pineda mapped the coast of Texas, creating the first map of Texas.
Who was de Pineda?
A Spanish Explorer who created the first map of the Texas Coastline.
What were the Catholic Missions?
A place where Spanish explorers/settlers invited Native Americans to come live, work, and learn. This is where Natives were taught about Christianity and expected to convert to Catholicism.
Identify an influence of Spanish exploration on Texas.
Spanish culutre is still present in Texas in the following ways: Food, Religion, Architecture, Clothing, Traditions, Holidays, Names of cities and geographical landmarks.
Describe the characteristics of the Spanish Colonial Era
Establishment of missions, spread of Christianity, spread of disease, ect.
What was the name of La Salle's settlement?
Fort St. Louis
Who was La Salle?
A French Explorer who established Fort St. Louis in East Texas.
Name a town established during Spanish Colonization.
San Antonio, Nacogdoches, Laredo, Goliad, El Paso
What is an example of a cultural celebration in Texas that stems from Spanish Influence?
Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Cinco de Mayo, Quinceaneras, ect
Name one major event in the Spanish Colonial Era.
What happened to La Salle after his settlement failed?
His men killed him (mutiny) because of his poor leadership.
Who was Cabeza de Vaca?
A Spanish Explorer who crash-landed on Galveston and wrote the book La Relacion about his travels in Texas and experience with the Native Americans.
What are the reasons for the failure of Spanish Missions?
Native Americans were not interested; diseases were prevalent; Angry Native tribes attacked the missions.
What is a geographical example of Spanish Influence on Texas?
City Names (San Antonio, El Paso)
River Names (Rio Grande, Brazos River)
Landform Names (Llano Estacado, Guadalupe Mountains)
What is the purpose of dividing history into different eras?
Dividing the past into eras helps aid in comprehension as eras are more manageable chunks of time with distinct charcteristics.
How did Spain respond to the French Settlement in East Texas?
They established 10 missions in the region and built 4 presidios to guard the missions. This established their control of Texas and kept the French and other countries out.
Why did the Spanish explore Texas?
They were looking for gold, help native people find God (christianity), find glory for themselves, and claim land for their country.
What was the purpose of the Presidio in the Spanish Mission System?
To protect the mission from attacks from angry tribes and other dangers.
Why is Cabeza de Vaca’s book about his travels and the people of Texas important?
It allows historians and people today to learn about what it was like to explore Texas and learn about the customs and traditions of Native tribes in Texas.
What will be the next era that we learn about after the Spanish Colonial Era?
Texas becomes fully settled by Anglos and begins taking steps towards fighting for Independence.
Name a consequence of the Spanish exploration and settlement of Texas.
Disease, death, slavery
Why did the French explore Texas?
They were looking to be friends with the Native Americans, trade animal furs, and find spots for commercial fishing.
Who lived in the Spanish Missions?
Spanish Priests, Native Americans
How did the Mission system impact the Cattle Industry?
It was the beginning of cattle ranching in Texas since Natives were taught how to raise cattle herds for food. This created the cowboy culture and cattle industry that we know of today.