1
Chapter One
From Siberia in Asia to North America: 10,000 -30,000 years ago
Agriculture developed around 7000 BC
At the time of Columbus's voyage (1492)
12 million lived north of present day Mexico
35 million lived from present-day Mexico to Isthmus of Panama
60 million lived in South America
Indians who lived in what is now Texas divided into four cultural divisions.
1.
Coastal Indians: Coahuiltecans, Karankawas
Lacked formal political organization; social life revolved around family; animistic; hunting and gathering
2.
Northeast Texas Indians: Caddos
Agriculturally advanced; traders over extensive area; village cultures; hereditary chief; temple mounds
3.
Trans-Pecos Indians: Jumanos, two distinct bands, sedentary and nomadic hunters
4.
Southern Plains Indians: Apaches, Comanches, Kiowas, and
Tonkawas
Moved into Texas in the 1600s-1800s; originated in northern Rocky Mountains; obtained horses from the
Spanish in the 1600s; horses changed hunting and warfare and gave them mobility; depended on the
buffalo for living essentials
Hispania
Roman, German (Visogoths), Christian, Muslim (Moors, 711)
Reconquista: a centuries long struggle between Christians and Muslims for the control of Spain
Castile, conquistadores
Crown and church allies
Vaqueros
Towns: self-government; ayuntamientos
Spain became a nation when Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon united their domains in 1479.
"It was the search for great fortune that led the Spaniards to the land now known as Texas."
1528
Panfilo de Narvaez
1529-35 Cabeza de Vaca
Originally a part of the Narvaez expedition in Florida, de Vaca traveled in much of what is now Texas.
1539-42 Marcos de Niza and Francisco de Coronado
These men led expeditions north of the Rio Grande to investigate de Vaca's stories of riches. Over two
years, Coronado searched as far north as present day Kansas. Their failure to find riches discouraged
further explorations.
1542
Louis de Moscoso de Alvarado
He led the survivors of the De Soto expedition into eastern Texas. The failure to find riches reinforced the
decision to cease exploration in the territory that would become Texas
2
Chapter One
Legacy of the Reconquista
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
King's right to set policy
Presidio
Mission
Town
Rancho
Reasons to colonize the regions that would become New Mexico and Texas
1.
2.
3.
Search for wealth
Christianize the Indians
Protect the borders from foreign encroachment
In 1598, Don Juan de Onate led an expedition into what would become New Mexico. This led to the
establishment of Santa Fe in 1609 and started Spanish activity that would eventually lead to Spanish
domination of Texas.
Spanish contact with the Jumano Indians (1600s)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Trade
Missionaries
Freshwater pearls
Buffalo
Base for trade with the Caddo
Unlike expeditions in the 1500s, the search for gold was not the primary goal. For Jumanos, the Spanish
intrusions brought trade and an alliance against the Apaches.
French (1680s-90s)
Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
1682
1684
1685
1687
Explored the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico
Built Fort St. Louis
Killed by his own men
Indians killed the last survivors of Fort St. Louis
The French activity led the Spanish to explore eastern Texas
1689
1690
Alonso de Leon found the remains of Fort St. Louis
Spaniards made contact with the Caddos whom they called the "Tejas," the Spanish
rendition of the Hasinai word for "friend."
Caddos -French - Spanish
Interaction between the Caddos and the French in the early 1700s brought the Spanish permanently into
Texas.
The Spanish considered the Tejas (Caddos) potential allies and converts.
1.
2.
3.
Stable
Monotheistic religion
Traders
However, the Caddos were not willing converts or allies
1.
2.
Christianity conflicted with their traditional religion.
Spaniards disrupted the lives of Caddos: disrespect for property and unruly soldiers.
3
Chapter One
By 1693 the Spanish had departed from East Texas. However, by the early 1700s, events forced a return to
Caddo lands.
1.
Missionaries wanted to resume their work with the Caddos.
2.
The French renewed their activities along the mouth of the Mississippi and established
Natchitoches in what is now western Louisiana. The French wanted to open trade with the Spanish. Louis
Juchereau de St. Denis attemped to establish trade and was arrested by the Spanish. He later
accompanied a Spanish expedition into East Texas.
In 1716, the Spanish established a settlement near present-day Nacodoches to revitalize their missionary
work and to lay claim to the region.
The Spanish then established other settlements in Texas
1720
1721
San Antonio
Los Adaes
1731
Canary Islanders established a civilian settlement, San Fernando de Bexar, near the
presidios and missions that constituted San Antonio.
1746
The Spanish established a presidio and missions on the San Gabriel river to assist the
Tonkawas defend themselves from the Apaches and Comanches. The enterprise was
abandoned in 1755.
1750s
Laredo
1757
The Spanish established a mission and presidio along the San Saba river for trade and
missionary work among the Apaches. The enterprise was abandoned in 1769.