Texas History-Vocabulary Flashcards
(115 cards)
1
Q
Basin
A
wide depretions/dip in land
2
Q
Plain
A
flat grassland
3
Q
Panhandle
A
top section of texas
4
Q
climate
A
average yearly weather in an area
5
Q
Mountains and Basins (Basin & Range):
A
West of Pecos River, bordered by Mexico and New Mexico,
6
Q
Great Plains:
A
Plains (flat grasslands) area extending down from the Panhandle (top section of Texas) all the way to Mexico
7
Q
North Central Plains:
A
Plains with lower elevation than the Great Plains so warmer and wetter with more variety of agriculture but dominated by ranching, biggest city is Forth Worth, lots of oil here as well
8
Q
(Gulf) Coastal Plains:
A
largest geographic region of Texas that goes all along the Gulf of Mexico
9
Q
Major Cities-
A
Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso
10
Q
Major Waterways-
A
Gulf of Mexico, Rio Grande, Red River, Colorado River, Pecos River, Brazos River, Sabine River
11
Q
Natural/Historic Landmarks-
A
Big Bend NP, Guadalupe Mountains NP, San Antonio Missions NHP, Palo Alto NHP
12
Q
Political/Cultural Regions-
A
Big Bend Country, Panhandle Plains, Hill Country, Prairies and Lakes, Piney Woods, Gulf Coast, South Texas Plains
13
Q
Local Points of Interest-
A
The Alamo, Space Center Houston (NASA), San Jacinto Battlefield, The Big Thicket, Enchanted Rock, Palo Duro Canyon
14
Q
Weather-
A
a specific event (like a rainstorm or hot day) that happens over a few hours, days or weeks
15
Q
Humidity-
A
the amount of water vapor in the air, the more water vapor in the air the higher the humidity and the wetter it feels
16
Q
Hot-Humid:
A
high temperatures and lots of rain with wetter air most of the year
17
Q
Hot-Dry:
A
high temperatures and low rain with less water in the air most of the year
18
Q
Mixed-Dry:
A
temperatures fluctuate with little rain and not much water in the air
19
Q
Mixed-Humid:
A
temperatures fluctuate with moderate rain and wetness in the air
20
Q
The coast
A
Texas coast was the 1st area explored by Spanish
21
Q
idk
A
idk
22
Q
Texas has been under the (————–) of Spain, France, Spain, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, the USA, the CSA (Civil War), and the USA again
A
control
23
Q
A (————————————————-) to decide if the Rio Grande is the proper border of Texas/Mexico leads to the Battle of Palo Alto and Mexican-American War that would give the USA the entire SW region
A
Border skirmish
24
Q
(——) discovery would benefit the TX economy
A
oil
25
Plains-
nomadic hunters in grasslands who used animal skins for shelter/clothing (buffalo) and became known as fierce/brutal warriors. But before the Europeans arrival (gave them horses/guns/alcohol) they were sedentary farmers (Mississippian Culture)
26
An example of the people whom live in the plains
Examples- Apache and Comanche
27
An example of the people whom live in the gulf
Example- Karankawa
28
An example of the people whom live in the Puebloan
Example- Jumano
29
An example of the people whom live in the Southeastern
Example- Caddo
30
Gulf-
fishing and hunting along the coastal area, and living a semi-nomadic life (depending on the weather they migrated inland, but had permanent homes)
31
Puebloan (Southwestern)-
sedentary farmers and hunters who lived peaceful lives in adobe homes
32
Southeastern-
sedentary farmers in forested areas that lived similarly to Mississippians (mound-builders)
33
Alonso Álvarez de Pineda-
mapped Texas coastline (1519) and the Gulf of Mexico proving it was an insulated (separate) area of water from the Atlantic Ocean
34
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca-
explored the American SW (1527) and later South America. He helped spread the Amerindian legend of the Seven Cities of Cibola (village full of treasure) among the Spanish which intensified their expeditions to find gold in the Americas (3Gs), such as Coronado who sent an expedition (1539) that claimed to have found the city and led his own (1540) across the American SW that only found Puebloan villages of yellow mud and clay and the Grand Canyon not any gold.
35
At the same time Spain sent an expedition from Florida across the southeastern region led by (-----------------------------------) (1539) that was finished by (---------------------------------------) who took them into east Texas then to Mexico along the coast.
* Hernan de Soto
* Luis de Moscoso Alvarado
36
In 1685 La Salle established what?
fort on the coastline of Texas for France, and the Spanish were furious. They sent many expeditions to destroy it, but the La Salle expedition/fort collapsed on its own before Spanish arrival. It motivated the Spanish to quickly further colonize eastern Texas with missions to prevent the French from more incursions.
37
This initial phases of Spanish settlement of Texas only involved (----------------------------------------------------) to conquer and convert the Native Americans before actual European settlers arrived to farm and trade and build real towns.
conquistadors and missionaries,
38
Encomienda System-
was Spain trying to recreate its medieval feudal system of exploitative labor using natives in place of peasants, and to assimilate them (even giving them rights/protections) to be more European/Hispanic. This was criticized heavily for its human rights abuses by the Church.
39
Repartimiento System-
replaced encomienda system with native practices (The Mita) of temporary labor needed to build colonies, but natives had less legal rights/protections and were treated arguably even worse than before under the abuses of encomiendas. Used for food/clothing production and mining.
40
Catholic Missions and Presidios (forts)
were built all across Texas to convert/control the native people and prevent further European invasions (ex- France in late 1600s to early 1700s)
41
Towns and Ranches
developed around the missions and presidios as more Spanish settlers arrived (farmers and merchants) to build the colonies into more than just agriculture
42
Fray Damián Massanet-
built 1st failed mission in East TX (1690)
43
Francisco Hidalgo-
was part of the missionary efforts in West, East, and Central Texas from 1690s to 1720s and was important in the efforts to found missions and convert the native peoples
44
Antonio Margil de Jesús-
built East TX missions (1716) abandoned in conflict with France (1717), but then built most successful mission in Texas in San Antonio (San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo) in 1720 (today its part of San Antonio Missions NHP)
45
Father Miguel Hidalgo-
Creole priest in Mexico who wanted to end the injustices against the natives & mixed peoples exploited by the Spanish system, he led an army to Mexico City in 1811 that was defeated, but is still considered the Father of the Nation for his efforts in starting the Mexican independence movements that continued after his death.
46
José Gutiérrez de Lara-
Advocate and organizer of independence from Spain in Texas after Hidalgo, but also failed in the Battle of Medina (August 18, 1813) fought twenty miles south of San Antonio. It was the deadliest battle in Texas history as the Spanish army decimated the rebels who included some Americans who had agreed to help.
47
Battle of Medina
(August 18, 1813) fought twenty miles south of San Antonio. It was the deadliest battle in Texas history as the Spanish army decimated the rebels who included some Americans who had agreed to help.
48
The Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824
was modeled on the liberalism of the failed Spanish Constitution of 1812 (federal republic), but also had compromises to keep the different groups who formed the Plan of Iguala and its Army of the Three Guarantees (Mexican independence, equality for creoles, and reaffirming the role of the Catholic Church in Mexico) happy after they had defeated the Spanish in 1821 and the brief Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide ended.
49
The State Colonization Law of 1825
merged the states of Texas and Coahuila as one larger state since they both had low populations and low economic development (Coahuila y Tejas), and created laws and incentives for people to settle these areas (become Mexican citizens, had to be Catholic religion or convert, had to act with good morality, couldn’t settle near USA-Mexico border, etc.)
50
Slavery
was banned in Mexico as early as 1821, but not officially abolished until 1829 by the government. This annoyed many Americans who had moved to Texas under the 1825 Colonization Law from the southern USA with
51
State Colonization Law of 1825
opened Texas to colonization by European and American immigrants on generous terms to develop its frontier lands more after merging Coahuila/Texas: 1) Settlers had to improve the land, 2) Recognize themselves as Mexican citizens, 3) Follow the Roman Catholic Church
In exchange they were given certain privileges compared to other Mexican
52
Moses Austin-
American industrialist who received a land grant from Spain in 1820 as an empresario to build the first Anglo settlement in Spanish Texas, but he died
53
Stephen F. Austin-
followed his fathers land grant to Texas in 1825 as an empresario (colony organizer), Mexico chose to honor the land grant, he brought 300 families and their slaves (the Old 300), considered the Father of Texas
54
Erasmo Seguín-
from 1807-35 was the head postmaster of San Antonio, he went to the convention to represent Texas and helped create the 1824 Mexican Constitution and 1825 Colonization Law, before helping S F Austin choose location
55
Martín De León-
Mexican (Hispanic) empresario who founded Victoria as the only true ‘Mexican’ colony in Texas (Hispanic people), became first leader in ranching
56
Green DeWitt-
American empresario who brought families to Texas and founded the settlement of Gonzalez which was not as successful as Austin or De Leon
57
Fredonian Rebellion-
Anglo empresario Haden Edwards failed attempt to have Texas secede from Mexico in late 1826 at Nacogdoches, it caused the Mier y Teran investigation and the Law of 1830 which would punish the Anglo-Texans and try to keep Texas in Mexico.
58
Mier y Terán Report-
after the military inspected Texas in 1828 they made a report stating that strong measures needed to be taken to prevent the USA from taking control of Texas. Since the Texans were isolating themselves and ignoring laws to stop slavery.
59
Law of April 6, 1830-
stopped American immigration into all Mexican territories (and their slaves), made the Texas settlers pay taxes & tariffs & duties, also encouraged Mexicans to move to Texas to off-set the population disparity between Anglos and Hispanics (both normal citizens and even convicted criminals). This was influenced heavily by the Fredonian Rebellion & Mier y Teran Report to keep Texas from USA.
60
Turtle Bayou Resolutions-
written to explain the Anglo-Texans actions in 1832 during the Mexican Civil War when they had a skirmish with a Mexican fort over possession of slaves. Santa Anna and his federalist army had won a victory over the centralist government and they aligned their actions with his, using ideas that would be part of the later Texas revolt (Constitution of 1824, taxes, slavery, etc.), to avoid punishment.
61
Arrest of Stephen F. Austin-
his efforts in advocating for Texas and a return to the rules before the Mexican Civil War caused the Mexican government to arrest Austin in 1834 under suspicion of inciting insurrection by pushing for Texas independence, he was in jail for a year in Mexico before returning to Texas for the revolution, but his actions before going to jail had always been about mediating conflict not revolting.
62
Battle of Gonzales (October 1835)-
first battle of Texas Revolution, compares to Battles of Lexington & Concord as Mexicans were trying to take away a cannon and the colonists refused (right to bear arms) and fought back
63
Siege of the Alamo (Feb-March 1836)
after the conquest of San Antonio the Texans used the mission to defend against Santa Anna (dictator after Mexican Civil War) as a fort.
64
Santa Anna
dictator after Mexican Civil War
65
The Texans commander William B. Travis’s
wrote a letter "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World“ asking for support of the Alamo and Texas Revolution which would rally support but not in time to prevent a massacre.
66
"To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World“
asking for support of the Alamo and Texas Revolution which would rally support but not in time to prevent a massacre.
67
The defenders of the Alamo were diverse mix
of Americans/Mexicans/Europeans who all wanted to end Santa Annas tyranny over Texas, including Hispanic leaders like Juan Seguin who helped rally support after the Alamo.
68
Juan Seguin
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a Spanish-Tejano political and military figure of the Texas Revolution who helped to establish the independence of Texas.
69
The Constitutional Convention of 1836 (March)-
created the Texas Declaration of Independence- George Childress and Lorenzo de Zavala- was declaration and constitution (modeled on both prior USA documents to form a republic).
70
Goliad Massacre-
commander James Fannin lost Battle of Coleto Creek under Texas, his army is captured, and they are murdered at town of Goliad (March 1836), massacres like Goliad and the Alamo became rallying cries in Texas.
71
Battle of San Jacinto (April 21, 1836)-
led by Sam Houston, they defeat the Mexican army under Santa Anna while they are taking a siesta (nap), forcing Santa Anna to surrender.
72
Treaty of Velasco
while a prisoner and without the Mexican congress’ approval. So they always considered Texas a rebellious state of Mexico, and the border was a constant source of tension, but in reality the majority of Western Texas was full of hostile Comanche neither side could control.
73
Comanche
neither side could control.
74
Sam Houston
supported annexation of Texas to the USA and peaceful coexistence with the Amerindians under the current borders,
75
Mirabeau B Lamar
led the nationalist faction that wanted to remain independent while kicking out the Amerindians and expanding to the Pacific Ocean
76
Anson Jones
was similar to Houston and finished the Texas annexation process.
77
Texas Navy and the Texas Rangers.
To keep peace/order and protect citizens/trade, in addition to the army they created the
78
Amerindians
were forced to leave by 1859, and those who still remained were hunted down by the army/TX rangers into the 1870s after the Annexation (1848) and USA Civil War (1860s)
79
William Goyens-
mixed race American (mulatto) who came to Texas before Mexican Independence (1821), and became a big businessman in Nacgdoches (Piney Woods). Helped to negotiate between different racial groups during Texas revolt, especially the Cherokee, and would die as a huge landowner in Texas.
80
Chief Bowles-
Cherokee leader who migrated to Texas after the USA Indian Removal Act, supported Mexico in the early conflicts like the Fredonian Rebellion, but Sam Houston convinced him to join the Texans. After the war President Lamar told Cherokee to leave, and Chief Bowles fought back until natives defeat/retreat
81
Córdova Rebellion (1838)-
Hispanic Texan who remined loyal to Mexico and the Constitution of 1824, tried to organize a rebellion against the Republic of Texas and failed, but his actions would allow President Lamar ‘evidence’ to removed the Cherokee who were accused of supporting the Mexican plot
82
Council House Fight-
was supposed to be a prisoner trade and peace conference in 1840 between the Texans and Comanche in San Antonio, but both sides committed atrocities that led to more raids/battles afterward over control of Western Texas.
83
Mary Maverick-
pioneer wife who wrote a diary that became a memoir documenting daily life and big events in the Texas Republic (like the Council House Fight) into the late 1800s
84
Jack Coffee Hays-
Texas Ranger who fought against Comanche and Mexico when it invaded Texas. (Also in USA-Mexico War)
85
José Antonio Navarro-
Hispanic Texan leader who supported the Texas Revolution, and was active in politics supporting Lamar (he went on Santa Fe Expedition catastrophe 1841) and against Houston (even though he would also support USA annexation).
86
TX Annexation (1845)
was caused by two of the big challenges faced by the Republic of Texas- security from Mexico (and the Comanche), and national debt they could not repay. But from the American side it was about keeping Texas out of the hands of European powers like Great Britain who were interfering in the Texas-Mexico situation, while also adding more large territories in their Manifest Destiny ambitions (which was complicated by the fact that Texas used slavery)
87
The Mexican-American War (1846-48)
was fought after the USA inherited the border problems with Mexico, and both nations sent troops to the border leading to a skirmish at Palo Alto used by the USA to justify war. The USA easily won most of the battles due to military and technological superiority, and quickly captured Mexico City (1847) to bring an end to the war
88
The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo (1848)
was the deal between the USA and Mexico to end the war which gave the USA 55% of Mexican territory for 15 million dollars, solved the border dispute, and created more resentment between the USA and Mexico (even to this day)
89
Slavery
was a huge problem with the acquisition of Texas and the Mexican Cession territories
90
the Compromise of 1850
tried to resolve this by leaving it up to the new territories/states to decide themselves if they will allow slavery or not, expanded again in 1854, but the North and South never were able to fully agree on this issue
91
Battle of Galveston-
CSA liberates the town from Union
92
Battle of Sabine Pass-
failed Union invasion of east Texas
93
Battle of Palmito Ranch (Summer 1865)-
CSA stopped Union forces from invading Texas again in the south
94
the Emancipation Proclamation (1863)
had freed all slaves in the CSA rebellious states
95
13th Amendment-
abolished slavery,
96
14th Amendment-
gave citizenship to all people born in the USA,
97
15th Amendment-
gave black Americans the right to vote.
98
Black Codes (1866)
White southerners found ways to limit the impact of these efforts
99
Constitution of 1876
Texas was readmitted to the USA in 1870 and made the new state
100
poll taxes
that kept poor people from voting since it cost money.
101
Quanah Parker
was a leader of the Comanche at this time, who typically didn’t have a single unified leader, but with the Red River War (1874) that finally got the Comanche out of Texas he rose to power and led them to reservation life since he was mixed and could interpret both cultures (father was Comanche and mother was American).
102
Buffalo Soldiers,
African-Americans serving in the Union (USA) army after 1866, they got the name from the Amerindians on the Great Plains who saw them and their dark curly hair that resembled the coat of the buffalo (along with their fierce fighting style). The Buffalo Soldiers also contributed to building infrastructure for the developing Texas industry like railroads and telegraph lines (transportation and communication) across West Texas.
103
Barbed Wire
were invented to build fences separating property lines from settlers who were building large agricultural areas needed for ranching. With this the frontier was closed and civilized, with ranches/towns/forts, ending the Wild West.
104
Columbian Exchange
process, such as cattle and horses, which were going to become connected forever in the ranching industry created by Spain all over its American colonies (including Texas in the north). Huge pieces of land were filled with cows to fatten-up by eating all the prairie grasses, and then slaughtered for their meat (beef).
105
Vaqueros.
The earliest cattle drives (moving cows) involved these Spanish and Mexican cowboys
106
cattle drives
occurred to sell the extra.
107
Cowboy Culture
has become a thing of mythic proportions, a brief time in the ranching industry after the Civil War, but Texas and the Wild West in movies and popular culture is bigger than the history. From the clothes, horses, gun fights, ropes, rodeos, and even food going back to the Vaqueros.
108
Spindletop
Texas would find it’s first major oil fields at
109
James Hogg
was a populist Texas politician who fought against business corruption/abuses and helped create antitrust laws and the Railroad Commission of Texas (1891) as Attorney General and Governor of Texas.
110
Jane McCallum
was an advocate for women's suffrage and after the 19th Amendment focused on education, healthcare, and child labor reform.
111
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
was founded in 1929 to advocate for Mexican Americans legal rights and equality of opportunity.
112
Hector P. Garcia
was an activist for both Mexican Americans and Army Veterans after WW2. He founded the American GI Forum (1948) in Texas which advocated for the rights of both veterans and Mexican Americans.
113
Lulu Belle Madison White
was an integral member of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) in Houston, and was the one who chose Heman Marion Sweatt as the person to sue UT Law School and oppose segregation in Sweatt v Painter (1950) that would set the foundation for Brown v Board of Education and full integration of schools. She also fought against inequality in voting rights, but as a former teacher her focus was education (school integration and equal pay for teachers).
114
Oveta Culp Hobby
was the first Director of the Women’s Army Corps in WW2 and the first Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare (1953) of the USA under President Eisenhower. She also ran the Houston Post newspaper.
115
Lyndon B. Johnson
was the 36th President of the USA (1963) and would continue the legacy of John F Kennedy Sr. (the prior president who had been assassinated) such as Civil Rights and the Space Race. LBJ made reforms to create a ‘Great Society’ for all Americans that included: aid to education, attack on disease, Medicare, urban renewal, beautification, conservation, development of depressed regions, a wide-scale fight against poverty, control and prevention of crime and delinquency, and removal of obstacles to the right to vote. But his efforts were somewhat undermined by the Vietnam War and the backlash against it in the USA, as well as the financial burden it placed on his treasury which had to balance a war and reforms.
