Unit Overview

Throughout this initial unit scholars will be able to:

• Closely read a variety of texts to define history and explain the significance of its study, this course will expose scholars’ to the work of a historian.
• Summarize the goals and significance of Spanish conquistadors and explorers.
• Analyze a document set, including excerpts from Relación, to investigate the significance of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca’s journey.
• Summarize the causes and significance of French explorers, specifically Robert de la Salle.
• Use a variety of documents (visuals, texts, artifacts) to investigate the mission-presidio system, including its influence on competition between Spain and France, impact on Native Americans, and causes of decline

Unit Overview

• In this unit we learn about how Mexico becomes its own independent nation, separate from Spain. It is a desire for fairness and the leadership of many who ultimately drive this conflict, leading to the development of Mexico as its own country.
• Why Spanish colonial control was weak in Texas in the early 1800s
• Impact of filibusters on Texans’ drive for independence
• Causes of Mexico’s rebellion against Spanish rule,
• including: American and French Revolutions, poverty, Napoleon Bonaparte dethroning the king of Spain, King Ferdinand’s decisions in Spain, and Grito de Dolores
• Influence of Father Hidalgo and other significant leaders on Mexican
• Significance of the Plan of Iguala in 1821 and the Treaty of Cordoba in 1821
• Demographic changes in Texas due to Mexican independence
• Colonization Laws of 1823 and 1825
• Causes and effects of empresarios
• Contributions of Moses Austin, Stephen F. Austin and the Old Three Hundred to the settlement of Texas
• Contributions of significant empresarios to the Mexican settlement of Texas
• Challenges Austin’s colony and new settlements in Texas faced in early years
• Relationship between Mexico and the U.S. in the 1820’s
• Comparisons between American and Mexican views on government and slavery