The Republic of Texas years including leaders and issues such as annexation into the United States, and early statehood years including the Constitution of 1845, early statehood leaders, U.S.-Mexican War, Tejanos and American Indians, immigrants and slaves in Texas.
Republic of Texas and Early Statehood unit contains 16 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in Republic of Texas and Early Statehood Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
Sam Houston: Republic of Texas President
Students examine Sam Houston's two terms as president of the Republic of Texas. They examine key issues and evaluate them as successes or failures. Then they write an essay about an issue that was a disappointment for President Houston.
Mirabeau Lamar: Political Changes
Students describe President Lamar's policies, including his position on relations with the American Indians and with Mexico. Then they analyze his vision for a greater Texas and how his actions relating to the Texas Rangers, the Texas Navy, and the Santa Fe Expedition supported this vision. Finally, they evaluate his contributions to education in Texas.
Continuing Texas-Mexico Conflict
Students learn about the relationship between Texas and Mexico after the Texas Revolution. They analyze the policies of Presidents Houston and Lamar toward the Mexican government and the Treaties of Velasco. Then they examine how other countries viewed the Republic of Texas and its relationship with Mexico.
Native American Relations in the Republic of Texas
Students learn about the relationship between the Republic of Texas and the American Indian tribes in Texas. They examine Chief Bowles's role and compare Presidents Houston and Lamar's policies towards the American Indians living in Texas. Next, they examine the San Antonio Council House Fight between the Comanche and the Texans. Finally, they analyze a speech by President Houston concerning the settler's interactions with the American Indians.
Anson Jones and Annexation
Students learn about the final president of the Republic of Texas, Anson Jones. They describe his tenure as Secretary of State under Sam Houston. Then they explain how Jones wrestled between the options for Texas to be annexed to the United States or to gain Mexican recognition as an independent country. Finally, students write a recommendation to President Jones about the preferred option.
The United States Annexes the Republic of Texas
Students learn about the question of Texas annexation from the point of view of the United States. They examine a political cartoon showing the two sides to the issue. Then they describe the issues leading up to annexation and why some people from the United States and other countries were against it. Finally they write a speech for or against the annexation.
Notable Texans in the Republic
Students examine the lives of four notable Texans from the period of the Republic: José Antonio Navarro, prominent Tejano; William Goyens, free African American; John Coffee Hays, commander of the Texas Rangers; and Mary Maverick, pioneer and diarist. Students explain some of the problems faced by Tejanos and African Americans in Texas. Then they analyze a short passage to determine if it is fact or legend. Finally, they elaborate on the value of primary source material to our knowledge of life in Texas.
Life in the Republic of Texas
Students learn about daily life in the Republic of Texas. They describe how people received land grants as payment for their army service or as immigrants to Texas and how many people became farmers or ranchers. They explore how towns developed across the state and identify changes in education and religion during this time period. Then they analyze the Ashworth Act and the status of free African Americans in the Republic of Texas. Finally, they write a letter from a teen newly arrived in Texas to family "back home," describing their daily lives.
The Constitution of 1845
Students learn about the Constitution of 1845 and the three branches of government it defines: legislative, executive, and judicial. Then they explore some unusual additions to the constitution that are not included in today's version, including the ban on banks and limits on public debt.
Early Statehood Leaders
Students learn about important people in Texas during its early statehood. They learn about the first governors, when they served, and how they helped Texas. They examine the biographies of Senators Rusk and Houston and identify important things they did for Texas. Finally, they learn about Jane McManus Cazneau and how she made an impact on Texas.
The U.S.-Mexican War
Students learn about the U.S.-Mexican War. They explore issues that caused the war. Next, they identify important people involved in the war. Then, they analyze the different battles of the war.
Texan Response to the U.S.-Mexican War
Students identify the terms of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. Then, they analyze issues that plagued Texas after the war, including slavery and the Texas border. Finally, they evaluate who benefitted most from the Compromise of 1850—the North or the South.
Tejanos and American Indians in the State of Texas
Students learn about discrimination against the Tejanos and Native Americans in Texas. They read how the Tejanos felt like they did not belong in Texas (the U.S.) or Mexico. They analyze the issues facing the Native Americans and how the federal and state governments tried to solve their problems. Finally, they examine a letter from a Texas Ranger to Governor Pease about treatment of Native Americans.
The Attraction of Texas for Immigrants
Students learn about nineteenth-century European immigration to Texas. They learn that Texas had a lot to offer the immigrants, including land, low taxes, and political and religious freedom. They examine what the Germans, French, and Polish immigrants brought to Texas and how various immigrant groups impacted Texas. They analyze some primary sources from German immigrants to learn first-hand about their lives.
African American Slaves in Texas
Students learn about slavery in Texas. They describe slavery and the many hardships facing the slaves. Then they identify some of the jobs that the slaves held. Next, they use a database to see how the number of slaves in Texas increased from during the Republic of Texas years and to predict the trend during the early statehood period. Finally, they analyze classified ads for slaves and draw conclusions about the slave owners' view of slaves.
