History of Texas Before European Colonization - ANSWER Several native American groups
inhabited the territory known today as Texas: Coastal Plains- Coahuiltecans, Karankawas,
Tonkawas, & Caddos (food gatherers, fisherman, and farmers). Spanish made their initial
contact with these groups when they arrived in Texas. The name Texas and the state motto
of friendship came as result of contact with the Caddos. Mountains & basins of West Texas:
Jumanos, Mes. Apache, & Lipans. South Plains: Comanches.
History of Texas During European Colonization - ANSWER 1528- Cabeza de Vaca & 3 com-
panions landed near modern-day Houston. Led Spanish exploration of territory now known
as Texas. Made contact with the Caddo Indians, which he described as a very sophisticated
native American group. Continued exploring the region of modern day new Mexico and Ari-
zona.
1541- Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (Mexico) explored Texas in response to reports of the
mythical seven cities of Cibola. Coronado lead an exhibition of almost 1000 men in search
for the golden cities. Explored the southwestern us and northern Texas. Returned to Mexico
in 1542, empty handed.
1595- Juan de Onate received permission from King Philip II of Spain to colonize New Mex-
ico. In 1598, he founded the first European settlement west of the Mississippi and New Mex-
ico.
1682- Spanish established the first permanent settlement in Texas: the mission of Ysleta-del
Sur (near present day city of El Paso).
1682- Robert de la Salle established a French settlement for St. Louis in east Texas. A few
years later, the Spanish expelled the French, and established a series of missions in east
Texas to control the French threat in the region.
1
, 1718- Spanish established a mission in a fort: San Antonio de Valero and Fort San Antonio de
Bexar: near what is now the city of San Antonio. These settlements were established to pro-
vide protection and support to the settlements in east Texas.
Mexican Independence from Spain - ANSWER First part of 19th century, Spanish empire
began crumbling. 1821- Mexico obtained its independence from Spain; took control of the
colony of Texas.
Anglo-American Presence in Texas - ANSWER 1820- Moses Austin received permission
from the Spanish government to bring Anglo-American families to settle in Texas (voided
when Mexico took control of the territory). Later, Austin's son, Stephen, negotiated with
Mexican government and obtained a similar agreement to allow Anglo-Americans to settle
in Texas. 1835- the settlers were the majority in the region, which antagonized the Mexican
government and resulted in war.
Texas War for Independence - ANSWER conflicts between Texans and the Mexican gov-
ernment started as early as 1830. The colonists felt that the government was not providing
adequate support and protection to Texas. Initially, they wanted to negotiate with the Pres.
Santa Anna, and sent Stephen Austin to Mexico city to represent the colony. The Mexican
government were not willing to negotiate and jailed Austin for a year.
First Battle in Gonzales - ANSWER The war for Texas independence began here. The town
of Gonzales had a cannon, used to protect the colonist from the Indians. By order of the gov-
ernment, Mexican soldiers came to take the cannon from the colonist in Oct. 1835. The Tex-
ans refused to relinquish their weapon and fired the cannon against the Mexican soldiers.
Heroes: Sam Houston - ANSWER Born in Virginia on March 2, 1793. He led the Texas
forces against the Mexican army and at the Battle of San Jacinto, 1836, his force defeated
Santa Anna and secured Texas independence. He was elected the first President of the Re-
public of Texas and later served as Texas Governor
The Alamo & Goliad Massacre - ANSWER 1836-First meaningful battle of the Texas war
for independence took place near the present day city of San Antonio in a small mission and
fort known as the Alamo. Initially led by Col. James Neill, then Col. William Travis. Mexican
2
inhabited the territory known today as Texas: Coastal Plains- Coahuiltecans, Karankawas,
Tonkawas, & Caddos (food gatherers, fisherman, and farmers). Spanish made their initial
contact with these groups when they arrived in Texas. The name Texas and the state motto
of friendship came as result of contact with the Caddos. Mountains & basins of West Texas:
Jumanos, Mes. Apache, & Lipans. South Plains: Comanches.
History of Texas During European Colonization - ANSWER 1528- Cabeza de Vaca & 3 com-
panions landed near modern-day Houston. Led Spanish exploration of territory now known
as Texas. Made contact with the Caddo Indians, which he described as a very sophisticated
native American group. Continued exploring the region of modern day new Mexico and Ari-
zona.
1541- Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (Mexico) explored Texas in response to reports of the
mythical seven cities of Cibola. Coronado lead an exhibition of almost 1000 men in search
for the golden cities. Explored the southwestern us and northern Texas. Returned to Mexico
in 1542, empty handed.
1595- Juan de Onate received permission from King Philip II of Spain to colonize New Mex-
ico. In 1598, he founded the first European settlement west of the Mississippi and New Mex-
ico.
1682- Spanish established the first permanent settlement in Texas: the mission of Ysleta-del
Sur (near present day city of El Paso).
1682- Robert de la Salle established a French settlement for St. Louis in east Texas. A few
years later, the Spanish expelled the French, and established a series of missions in east
Texas to control the French threat in the region.
1
, 1718- Spanish established a mission in a fort: San Antonio de Valero and Fort San Antonio de
Bexar: near what is now the city of San Antonio. These settlements were established to pro-
vide protection and support to the settlements in east Texas.
Mexican Independence from Spain - ANSWER First part of 19th century, Spanish empire
began crumbling. 1821- Mexico obtained its independence from Spain; took control of the
colony of Texas.
Anglo-American Presence in Texas - ANSWER 1820- Moses Austin received permission
from the Spanish government to bring Anglo-American families to settle in Texas (voided
when Mexico took control of the territory). Later, Austin's son, Stephen, negotiated with
Mexican government and obtained a similar agreement to allow Anglo-Americans to settle
in Texas. 1835- the settlers were the majority in the region, which antagonized the Mexican
government and resulted in war.
Texas War for Independence - ANSWER conflicts between Texans and the Mexican gov-
ernment started as early as 1830. The colonists felt that the government was not providing
adequate support and protection to Texas. Initially, they wanted to negotiate with the Pres.
Santa Anna, and sent Stephen Austin to Mexico city to represent the colony. The Mexican
government were not willing to negotiate and jailed Austin for a year.
First Battle in Gonzales - ANSWER The war for Texas independence began here. The town
of Gonzales had a cannon, used to protect the colonist from the Indians. By order of the gov-
ernment, Mexican soldiers came to take the cannon from the colonist in Oct. 1835. The Tex-
ans refused to relinquish their weapon and fired the cannon against the Mexican soldiers.
Heroes: Sam Houston - ANSWER Born in Virginia on March 2, 1793. He led the Texas
forces against the Mexican army and at the Battle of San Jacinto, 1836, his force defeated
Santa Anna and secured Texas independence. He was elected the first President of the Re-
public of Texas and later served as Texas Governor
The Alamo & Goliad Massacre - ANSWER 1836-First meaningful battle of the Texas war
for independence took place near the present day city of San Antonio in a small mission and
fort known as the Alamo. Initially led by Col. James Neill, then Col. William Travis. Mexican
2
