2026/2027
POLS 206/207 American & State
Government for Texas University Students:
Final Exam Review, Quiz Practice, Key
Concepts and Study Companion 2026/2027
Question 1:
Which historical figure was captured by the Karankawa Indians after his shipwreck
near present-day Galveston Island?
A. Hernando Cortés
B. Esteban
C. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
D. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Correct Answer: B. Esteban
Rationale: Esteban (often referred to as Estevanico) was an enslaved African explorer
who survived a shipwreck and later became one of the first known non-Native
individuals to explore parts of North America, including the Texas region. He was
captured by the Karankawa Indians after a shipwreck near present-day Galveston
Island. The other options are incorrect because Cabeza de Vaca also explored Texas
but was not the captured individual in this scenario, while Cortés and Coronado
explored other regions of the Americas.
Question 2:
Which individual is uniquely recognized in Texas history as having a river, county,
and national forest named after her?
A. Jane Long
B. Angelina
C. Susanna Dickinson
D. Emily West
Correct Answer: B. Angelina
Rationale: Angelina is honored in Texas geography with a river, county, and national
forest named after her, making her unique in this distinction. The other individuals,
while significant in Texas history, do not have this level of geographic
commemoration.
,2026/2027
Question 3:
What was the first Spanish settlement in Texas?
A. San Antonio
B. Nacogdoches
C. El Paso
D. Goliad
Correct Answer: B. Nacogdoches
Rationale: Nacogdoches is considered one of the earliest Spanish settlements in Texas
and played a crucial role in early colonization. Other settlements like San Antonio
were established later in Spanish Texas history.
Question 4:
Which expedition aimed to liberate Texas from Spanish rule but was defeated at the
Battle of Medina?
A. The Fredonian Rebellion
B. The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition
C. The Texas Revolution
D. The Dawson Massacre
Correct Answer: B. The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition
Rationale: The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition was an early attempt to free Texas from
Spanish rule but ended in defeat at the Battle of Medina in 1813. The other events
occurred later or were unrelated.
Question 5:
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 resulted in which of the following outcomes?
A. Spain gaining control of Texas
B. France regaining Louisiana
C. The United States doubling in size
D. Mexico gaining independence
Correct Answer: C. The United States doubling in size
Rationale: The Louisiana Purchase dramatically expanded U.S. territory by acquiring
land from France, effectively doubling the size of the nation. It had indirect
consequences for Texas territorial disputes.
, 2026/2027
Question 6:
Who is considered one of the first Anglo-American women entrepreneurs in Texas?
A. Emily Morgan
B. Jane Long
C. Susanna Dickinson
D. Sarah DeWitt
Correct Answer: B. Jane Long
Rationale: Jane Long is recognized as one of the earliest Anglo-American women
entrepreneurs in Texas, known for managing businesses and surviving early frontier
hardships.
Question 7:
The Treaty of Fontainebleau is significant in Texas history because it:
A. Ended the Texas Revolution
B. Transferred Louisiana territory to Spain
C. Established Texas independence
D. Created the Republic of Texas
Correct Answer: B. Transferred Louisiana territory to Spain
Rationale: The Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762) transferred Louisiana from France to
Spain, reshaping territorial control in the region that includes Texas.
Question 8:
Who was the first European explorer to document present-day Texas?
A. Christopher Columbus
B. Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
C. Hernando de Soto
D. Francisco Coronado
Correct Answer: B. Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
Rationale: Álvarez de Pineda mapped the Texas Gulf Coast in 1519, making him the
first European to document the region.
Question 9:
Moses Austin received critical assistance in establishing Austin’s Colony from:
POLS 206/207 American & State
Government for Texas University Students:
Final Exam Review, Quiz Practice, Key
Concepts and Study Companion 2026/2027
Question 1:
Which historical figure was captured by the Karankawa Indians after his shipwreck
near present-day Galveston Island?
A. Hernando Cortés
B. Esteban
C. Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
D. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Correct Answer: B. Esteban
Rationale: Esteban (often referred to as Estevanico) was an enslaved African explorer
who survived a shipwreck and later became one of the first known non-Native
individuals to explore parts of North America, including the Texas region. He was
captured by the Karankawa Indians after a shipwreck near present-day Galveston
Island. The other options are incorrect because Cabeza de Vaca also explored Texas
but was not the captured individual in this scenario, while Cortés and Coronado
explored other regions of the Americas.
Question 2:
Which individual is uniquely recognized in Texas history as having a river, county,
and national forest named after her?
A. Jane Long
B. Angelina
C. Susanna Dickinson
D. Emily West
Correct Answer: B. Angelina
Rationale: Angelina is honored in Texas geography with a river, county, and national
forest named after her, making her unique in this distinction. The other individuals,
while significant in Texas history, do not have this level of geographic
commemoration.
,2026/2027
Question 3:
What was the first Spanish settlement in Texas?
A. San Antonio
B. Nacogdoches
C. El Paso
D. Goliad
Correct Answer: B. Nacogdoches
Rationale: Nacogdoches is considered one of the earliest Spanish settlements in Texas
and played a crucial role in early colonization. Other settlements like San Antonio
were established later in Spanish Texas history.
Question 4:
Which expedition aimed to liberate Texas from Spanish rule but was defeated at the
Battle of Medina?
A. The Fredonian Rebellion
B. The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition
C. The Texas Revolution
D. The Dawson Massacre
Correct Answer: B. The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition
Rationale: The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition was an early attempt to free Texas from
Spanish rule but ended in defeat at the Battle of Medina in 1813. The other events
occurred later or were unrelated.
Question 5:
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 resulted in which of the following outcomes?
A. Spain gaining control of Texas
B. France regaining Louisiana
C. The United States doubling in size
D. Mexico gaining independence
Correct Answer: C. The United States doubling in size
Rationale: The Louisiana Purchase dramatically expanded U.S. territory by acquiring
land from France, effectively doubling the size of the nation. It had indirect
consequences for Texas territorial disputes.
, 2026/2027
Question 6:
Who is considered one of the first Anglo-American women entrepreneurs in Texas?
A. Emily Morgan
B. Jane Long
C. Susanna Dickinson
D. Sarah DeWitt
Correct Answer: B. Jane Long
Rationale: Jane Long is recognized as one of the earliest Anglo-American women
entrepreneurs in Texas, known for managing businesses and surviving early frontier
hardships.
Question 7:
The Treaty of Fontainebleau is significant in Texas history because it:
A. Ended the Texas Revolution
B. Transferred Louisiana territory to Spain
C. Established Texas independence
D. Created the Republic of Texas
Correct Answer: B. Transferred Louisiana territory to Spain
Rationale: The Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762) transferred Louisiana from France to
Spain, reshaping territorial control in the region that includes Texas.
Question 8:
Who was the first European explorer to document present-day Texas?
A. Christopher Columbus
B. Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
C. Hernando de Soto
D. Francisco Coronado
Correct Answer: B. Alonso Álvarez de Pineda
Rationale: Álvarez de Pineda mapped the Texas Gulf Coast in 1519, making him the
first European to document the region.
Question 9:
Moses Austin received critical assistance in establishing Austin’s Colony from:
