7th Grade Texas Revolution Study Guide PDF

7th Grade Topic 4&5 Study Guide Revolution and Republic to Early Statehood, Civil War, and Reconstruction 4.1: Conflicts Between Mexico and Texas Settlers 1. What were the recommendations in the Mier y Terán Report? ○ The report recommended that Mexico strengthen its control...

7th Grade Topic 4&5 Study Guide Revolution and Republic to Early Statehood, Civil War, and Reconstruction 4.1: Conflicts Between Mexico and Texas Settlers 1. What were the recommendations in the Mier y Terán Report? ○ The report recommended that Mexico strengthen its control over Texas by sending more Mexican settlers and soldiers to the region to stop the growing American presence. 2. How did the Law of April 6, 1830, and the ending of slavery impact settlers in Texas? ○ The Law of April 6, 1830, stopped U.S. settlers from moving to Texas and banned the importation of slaves. It also placed taxes on goods, which made it harder for settlers to live in Texas. 3. What steps did the Mexican government take to strengthen its control over Anglo Texas? ○ The Mexican government tried to control Texas by stopping U.S. immigration, imposing taxes, and trying to end slavery in the region. They also sent more soldiers to enforce these rules. 4. Why were Texas settlers unhappy with the Mexican government?  ○ Texas settlers were upset because the Mexican government passed laws that limited their freedom, like stopping immigration from the U.S. and ending slavery, which made life harder for many settlers. 5. How did events, including the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, lead to the Texas Revolution? ○ Texans wanted more independence from Mexico, and the Turtle Bayou Resolutions were part of the push for a separate government due to the suspension of the Mexican Constitution of 1824. 6. What was the first battle in which Texan settlers defeated the Mexican government? ○ The Battle of Gonzales was the first battle where Texans successfully defeated Mexican forces, marking the start of the Texas Revolution. 4.2: From Reform to Revolution 7. What role did Antonio López de Santa Anna play in the Mexican civil war? ○ Santa Anna was the president of Mexico, and after returning to power, he led the Mexican army during the Texas Revolution. 8. What were the goals of the delegates to the Conventions of 1832 and 1833? ○ The delegates wanted to change immigration policies and hoped Texas would become its own state within Mexico. 9. How did suspending the Mexican Constitution of 1824 impact Mexico and Texas? ○ The suspension of the Constitution sparked rebellions throughout Mexico, and Texas quickly jumped into the fray. 10. How did the arrest of Stephen F. Austin worsen relations between Texas and Mexico? ○ Texas wanted to separate from Mexico. 4.3: The Start of Revolution 11. How are the Texas Revolution and the American Revolution similar, and how are they different? ○ Both revolutions were about wanting independence from a government that the people felt was unfair. The Texas Revolution was against Mexico's control, while the American Revolution was against British rule, but both wanted more self-government. 12. Why was the Battle of Gonzales significant in the Texas Revolution? ○ It marked a clear break between the colonists and the Mexican government and is considered to have been the start of the Texas Revolution. It is often referred to as the Lexington of Texas. 13. Why was Presidio La Bahía considered an important fort during the Texas Revolution?  ○ It witnessed filibustering expeditions and played a role in the Mexican war for independence from Spain. 14. What was the structure of the first independent government in Texas? ○ Provisional government. 15. Why was the Texan capture of San Antonio important to the Texas Revolution? ○ The successful capture of San Antonio was a big boost to the Texians. 4.4: The Fall of the Alamo and the Goliad Massacre 16. What were the causes of the collapse of the Provisional Government? ○ Continuation of the war, demands for land, and economic and social problems facing the population. 17. What happened during the siege of the Alamo, and who were the heroic defenders who gave their lives there? ○ Famous defenders included James Bowie, William B. Travis, and David Crockett. 18. Why were Texans eager to join Sam Houston’s retreating army after the Alamo? ○ After the Alamo, Texans wanted revenge for the deaths of the soldiers who fought there. They knew they needed to help defeat the Mexican army to win their independence. 19. What was the significance of the events that occurred after James Fannin’s surrender of Goliad?  ○ A few weeks later, when Houston engaged Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto, cries of "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" spurred the Texans to victory, leading to Texas independence. 20. Why did Texan settlers flee during the Runaway Scrape? ○ To escape the Mexican army. 4.5: Declaration of Independence and the Convention of 1836 21. Why did Texans call for the Constitutional Convention of 1836? ○ Some wanted the convention to form a new government for Texas, while others insisted on preserving the Mexican Constitution of 1824. 22. Why did George Childress model the Texas Declaration of Independence after the United States Declaration of Independence? ○ The Texas Declaration focused on specific grievances against the Mexican Government in addition to general Enlightenment principles. 23. How did the Texas constitution provide civil and political freedom to the Republic of Texas? ○ The Constitution of 1836 included a bill of rights, declaring Texas a free and independent state with equal rights for all free men, and protecting the writ of habeas corpus. 24. What was the function of the Interim Government, and who were its leaders? ○ The Interim Government was temporary until elections could be held. David G. Burnet was selected as the interim president, and Lorenzo de Zavala as vice president. 4.6: Securing Victory and Independence 25. What qualities made Sam Houston and Santa Anna significant players in the Texas Revolution? How were they similar and different? ○ Santa Anna was the president of Mexico and favored centralized government. Houston led the Texas forces and advocated for the Constitution of 1824. Houston led the army that defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto, which helped secure Texas's independence. 26. What advantages did Sam Houston have over Santa Anna before the Battle of San Jacinto? ○ Houston was a commanding figure with great personal charm, an experienced government leader, and a well-regarded military strategist. 27. Why was the Texas victory at the Battle of San Jacinto significant? ○ The Texan victory at San Jacinto severed Texas from Mexico and secured Texas independence. 28. What role did the United States play in the Texas Revolution?  ○ The U.S. supported the Texas Revolution by allowing American volunteers to fight for independence and providing some supplies, but officially stayed neutral to avoid angering Mexico. 29. What conditions were agreed upon in the Treaties of Velasco? ○ Hostilities would cease, Mexican forces would withdraw from Texas beyond the Rio Grande, Santa Anna would not take up arms against Texas again, and both sides would exchange prisoners. 4.7: The Republic of Texas 30. What was the structure of the government of the Republic of Texas? ○ Three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. 31. What issues did President Houston face during his first term in office? ○ Issues included public debt, relations with other nations and ethnic groups, and military discipline. 32. Were President Lamar’s domestic and foreign policies successful? Why or why not? ○ Foreign policy failed as Lamar was unable to secure lasting peace with Mexico. Domestically, his expansionist policies were costly. 33. What problems did President Houston face during his second term in office? ○ The treasury was empty, inflation was high, and Texas paper currency was almost worthless. 34. How did conflict continue between Mexico and the Republic of Texas? ○ The immediate cause of the Mexican-American War was a disputed boundary between the United States and Texas on the Nueces Strip. 4.8: The Question of Annexation 35. What were the most pressing issues during President Anson Jones’s term in office? ○ Whether Texas should try to become part of the United States or grow strong enough to remain independent. 36. What events led to the annexation of Texas by the United States? ○ The Battle of San Jacinto, where Texas won independence, played a key role. 37. How did immigration influence Texas? ○ Immigrants contributed tens of billions of dollars in taxes and boosted the economy. 38. How did life differ for Texans living on farms, ranches, and in towns? ○ Life on farms and ranches focused on growing crops and raising animals, while town life was more centered around commerce and education. 39. How did the establishment of the Republic of Texas bring religious freedom to Texas? ○ The Constitution of the Republic of Texas included a bill of rights that ensured the freedom of religion.  5.1: Early Texas Government 40. Which documents influenced the first Texas state constitution? ○ The first Texas state constitution was influenced by the U.S. Constitution. It used similar ideas like the separation of powers and the Bill of Rights. 41. What are the three main branches of the Texas state government? ○ Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. 42. Who were the leaders of Texas during the early statehood era? ○ Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar, James Polk, Thomas Rusk, and José Antonio Navarro. 5.2: War with Mexico and the Aftermath 43. What were the key issues that led to the U.S.-Mexican War? ○ The immediate cause was the disputed boundary between the United States and Texas on the Nueces Strip. 44. Who were some important individuals involved in the U.S.-Mexican War? ○ Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and Stonewall Jackson, who later became prominent in the Civil War. 45. What was the significance of the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo?  ○ It ended the war between the United States and Mexico and set the Rio Grande as the boundary for Texas. 46. What political issues did Texas leaders face after the U.S.-Mexican War? ○ Issues included deciding whether to join the Union and how to handle the new borders. 47. What did Texas give up and gain through the Compromise of 1850? ○ Texas gave up claims to parts of New Mexico and other areas in exchange for federal assumption of Texas's public debt. 5.3: Growth and Expansion 48. What challenges did Tejanos face after the U.S.-Mexican War? ○ Tejanos faced lynching, discrimination, segregation, and political disfranchisement. 49. What were the ongoing conflicts between American Indians and Texans? ○ American Indians and Texans fought over land and resources. As settlers moved in, they took over hunting grounds and other lands that Native Americans had used for years. 50. Why did various immigrant groups come to Texas during the 1800s? ○ Many came for the promise of plentiful land. 51. What was the experience of enslaved African Americans in Texas during the 1800s?  ○ Most were forced into unskilled labor on cotton, corn, and sugar plantations. 52. How did individual empresarios contribute to the population growth of Texas? ○ Empresarios brought settlers to Texas and helped develop the region for the Mexican government. 5.4: Immigrants from Europe 53. Why did German immigrants decide to come to Texas? ○ Many hoped for better lives and to escape narrow beliefs of the rulers in Europe. 54. What were the different kinds of German immigrants that came to Texas? ○ Artisans, academicians, and professionals. 55. Where did French immigrant groups settle when they came to Texas? ○ Castroville. 56. What impact did immigrants from around the world have on Texas? ○ Immigrants helped build towns, schools, and roads. 5.5: Causes of the Civil War 57. How was slavery a reason that Texas became involved in the Civil War?  ○ Slavery was very important in Texas for farming, and many Texans wanted to keep it. Because of this, Texas joined the Confederacy to protect slavery when the Civil War broke out. 58. How did issues such as states’ rights and sectionalism in the 1850s contribute to the growing divide between the North and South? ○ Differences over slavery, economics, education, and culture kept the North and South in constant conflict. 59. What factors influenced Texas's decision to secede from the United States? ○ Texas was dissatisfied with Lincoln's stance on states' rights and felt betrayed by Washington. 5.6: The Civil War and Texas 60. How did Texas contribute to the war effort during the Civil War? ○ Nearly 90,000 Texans served in the military during the war. 61. What were some significant battles of the Civil War in Texas? ○ The Battle of Galveston (1861) and the Battle of Sabine Pass (1863). 62. What were the economic effects of the Civil War on Texas? ○ Imports from northern factories ceased, transportation networks were damaged, and Union blockades disrupted cotton exports. 63. What hardships did Texans face during the Civil War?  ○ Union blockades stopped trade through Galveston, and many areas were under Union control. 64. How did the Civil War come to an end? ○ Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in April 1865. 5.7: Reconstruction in Texas 65. What did Texas have to do to rejoin the Union during the Reconstruction era? ○ To rejoin the Union, Texas had to accept the new laws that ended slavery, made a new state constitution, and allowed African American men to vote. They also had to swear they would stay part of the United States. 66. How were African American rights both protected and limited during Reconstruction? ○ African American men were granted the right to vote, but other rights were still limited. 67. What were the political effects of Congress’s Reconstruction plan in Texas? ○ Texas had to create a new constitution that guaranteed voting rights for African American men. 68. What were the economic and social effects of Reconstruction in Texas? ○ The war changed labor systems, and the costs of war undermined the economic power of previous elites.