When did Europeans begin arriving in Texas?
16th century
Europeans encountered various Native American groups upon their arrival.
What was the main reason for the decline of Native American populations in Texas?
- Diseases
- Firearms
- Modern techniques of warfare
These factors contributed to the decimation of most Indians in Texas over the centuries.
Who were the two Spanish explorers mentioned in the text that contributed to the claims over Texas?
- Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
- Francisco Coronado
Their efforts were part of the Spanish colonization of Texas.
What was the political center of Texas during Spanish rule?
San Antonio de Béxar
It became the seat of the Spanish governors of Texas by 1735.
What were the two types of Spanish settlements established in Texas?
- Forts (presidios)
- Missions
These were set up to convert Indians to Christianity along Texas rivers.
What significant event did Miguel Hidalgo initiate in 1810?
Call for Mexican Independence
This event sparked a revolt among Tejanos in San Antonio.
Who continued the settlement plans after Moses Austin died?
Stephen F. Austin
He spent the 1820s promoting settlement by Anglo-Americans in Texas.
What was the name of the constitution written by the Mexican Constituent Congress in 1824?
Constitution of the United States of Mexico
It gave significant power to state governments.
What were the four municipalities created in Texas under Mexican administration?
- Béxar
- San Felipe de Austin
- Austin’s colony
- Other municipalities
Each municipality was governed by a council and an alcalde.
True or false: The Mexican Constitution outlawed slavery.
FALSE
It did not outlaw slavery but forbade the importation of slaves into Mexico.
What legal workaround did slave-holding immigrants use to keep their slaves in Texas?
- Freed them upon entering Texas
- Made them sign contracts of indentured servitude
This allowed them to effectively keep their slaves for life.
What did the Mexican federal law in 1830 restrict?
- Immigration from the United States
- New empresario contracts
Existing contracts were allowed to continue operating.
What was the outcome of the conventions held in 1832 and 1833 in San Felipe de Austin?
- Call for separate statehood for Texas
- Drafted a state constitution
The constitution was based on the Massachusetts state constitution of 1780.
Who became president of Mexico in 1833 and initially seemed supportive of state rights?
Antonio López de Santa Anna
His later actions led to the abolition of the federal system.
What significant change did Santa Anna make in 1835 regarding the Mexican government?
Abolished the Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824
This replaced the federal system with a unitary system.
What was the new constitution for Texas based on after its annexation in 1845?
The constitutions of American in the south
This constitution included the formal protection of slavery.
In what year did Texas secede from the Union to join the Confederacy?
1861
This occurred at the start of the Civil War.
Who was elected Governor of Texas in 1859 on a platform committed to preserving the Union?
Sam Houston
He was later forced out of office for refusing to back the Confederacy.
What was the outcome of the referendum held in February 1861 in Texas?
Confirmation of secession
This led to a new constitution for Texas within the Confederate States of America.
What did the reconstruction constitution adopted in 1866 remove?
The guarantee for slavery
It denied freed slaves several rights, including the right to vote.
What significant change occurred in Texas voter registration after 1867?
Almost 50,000 blacks were included on the voter rolls
Many whites who supported the Confederacy were barred from voting.
What was notable about the new constitution adopted in 1869?
It included nine African Americans elected to public office
This was the first time blacks held office in Texas.
Which party was viewed as the party of the North during the Reconstruction era in Texas?
Republican Party
Many southerners had seceded fearing a threat to slavery from Republicans.
What did the Democratic Party represent in Texas after the Civil War?
The party of the South
It had more strongly supported slavery before the war.
