Name: ____________________________________
Period ______
Semester 1 Exam—REVIEW
EXAM DATE IS ______________________
1. The abundance of cheap land caused a dramatic population increase in Texas between
1836-1845.
2. There were many cultural and political differences between settlers in Texas and Mexicans; such
as the amount of involvement that civilians have in military, whether or not the church is
involved with government and whether slavery is legal or not.
3. One effect of Mier y Teran’s report was that slavery was banned in Texas.
4. William B. Travis wrote a letter known as the “Victory or Death” letter. Its’ purpose was to
request help from any Americans for the Battle at the Alamo. William Travis signed the letter
victory or death because he intended to fight for Texas until the bitter end if necessary.
5. Most of the agricultural industry in Texas is located in the Coastal Plains region.
6. Spanish reasons for the colonization of Texas was to protect their territory and Anglo reasons
for colonization was to get cheap land in Texas.
7. George Childress was the primary author of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
8. Some important dates in the history (timelines) of the Texas Revolution:
a. October 1835—Battle at Gonzales
b. March 2, 1836—Texas declares independence from Mexico
c. February 23-March 6, 1836—Siege of the Alamo
d. April 1836 – Goliad Massacre
e. April 21, 1836—Battle of San Jacinto
9. Sam Houston wanted the delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1836 to focus on
forming a legitimate government before helping the men at the Battle of the Alamo
10. Stephen F. Austin was a defender and supporter of Mexico’s authority in Texas at first, but later
changed his mind and began supporting Texas’ freedom from under Santa Ana and Mexico
during the Texas Revolution.
11. Lorenzo De Zavala served as Vice President of Texas during the Texas Revolution
12. Texans chose to separate from Mexico because Mexico did not listen to Texans and did not give
Texans a voice in government
13. Sam Houston’s success at the battle of San Jacinto was due to a surprise attack on the Mexican
army
14. Events that started the Texas Revolution:
a. Freedonian Rebellion
b. Law of April 6, 1830
c. Anahuac disturbance and Turtle Bayou Resolution
d. Arrest of Stephen F. Austin
15. Mexican traditions influenced culture in Texas. This influence was so strong that it even affected
the traditions of the Germans who settled here (in Texas).
16. Freedom of religion WAS NOT protected by the Mexican Constitution of 1824 like it was in the
Texas and the U.S. Constitutions. The people of Mexico were just expected to be Catholic.
17. The American Indian tribes most likely viewed the building of the Spanish with suspicion more
than any other group in Texas.
18. San Antonio was founded in 1718
19. The first families to settle in Stephen F. Austin’s colony in Texas were known as the Old Three
Hundred.
20. Cabaza de Vaca and Estevanico together travelled through Texas from 1528-1536.
21. The Coastal Plains of Texas was home to the most successful land grants.
22. The main difference between the U.S. Bill of Rights and the Texas Bill of Rights is that the US Bill
of Rights is added to the Constitution through Amendments while the Texas Bill of Rights is
located in Article 1 of the Texas Constitution.
23. The Caddo Indians lived in the Coastal Plains
24. The purpose of Checks and Balances in the constitution is to prevent any one branch of
government from controlling the other branches.
25. The job of the Executive branch of government is to carry out the laws
26. The job of the Legislative branch of government is to make the laws
27. The job of the Judicial branch is to punish those who break the laws
28. The explorer, LaSalle ship wrecked in Matagorda Bay, Texas while looking for the mouth of the
Mississippi River
29. Early American Indians in Texas adapted and used their environment to meet their needs.
30. Our Spanish heritage has given us architecture, food, culture and place names like Bexar,
Amarillo, Rio Grande and El Paso
31. The Plains Indians were nomadic (moved around following food sources).
32. The Puebloan Indians were settled in one place and grew food.
33. More dates to know:
a. 1519—Mapping of the coast of Texas by Pinda
b. 1718—Founding of San Antonio
c. 1821—Mexican independence from Spain
d. 1836—Texas Independence from Mexico