Eighth graders comprehend how the siege of the Alamo and the Texas revolution laid the groundwork for the United States-Mexican War. They discuss how westward expansion led to Texas Independence. Students complete the "Remeber the...

Students will analyze four historical events: The Annexation of U.S. Southwest, The Mexican Revolution, The Great Depression, and World War II. They determine how each event affected immigration to the U.S. from Mexico and Central...

Students review the text of The Spirits of the Alamo part of the site, and each assume the identity of one person at the Alamo. They write a letter home describing his/her experience at the Alamo.

Students study westward expansion. In this US history lesson, students describe the adventures and hardships faced by the explorers known as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Students write a report to the President about the...

Article with maps on how the conflict over slavery led to a revolution in Texas and ultimately, the war against Mexico.

A brief look at the declaration of independence from Mexico by Texas in 1836, the removal of restrictions on slavery, and how this dramatically increased the population and led to a much greater reliance on the cotton industry in the...

Read about the Fredonian Rebellion of 1826, the first attempt by Anglo settlers in Texas to secede from Mexico.

Read some first-person excerpts taken from Texas letters accounting events from the Mexican War for Independence from Spain.

Lone Star Junction identifies an extensive list of high-profile Texans prior to 1900. A chart informs readers what general role in Texas history each person was involved in from Texas Revolution, Indian Wars, Civil War, and the...

In an act that foreshadowed the American rebellions to come, read this short account of how Benjamin Edwards rode into Mexican-controlled Nacogdoches, Texas, and proclaimed himself the ruler of the Republic of Fredonia.

Read about Santa Anna's retaliation after the siege of Bexar, and the battles on sea and on land that followed. This site's strength is its collection of primary texts from this period in Texas' history: "Broadside calling for all men to...

After being taken over by Mexico in 1821, Texas became very attractive to people wanting to settle. New policies, however, upset the Texans, which lead to rebellions and the Texas Revolution of 1836. Read about it all, and check out...

Find out about the once independent sovereign country called the Republic of Texas in North America that existed from March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846.

Read about General Teran, a Mexican general who fought for Mexican independence in the Mexican and Texan revolutions.

This site from the San Jacinto Museum has pictures and some descriptions of weapons used by both the Mexicans and Americans in the Texas Revolution. Click on the blue words to take you to additional information.

Following the "seizure of the Mexican cannon at Gonzales," the Texas Revolution began. What did Texas do to ensure that the coast would be safe during the war? Read about the Texas Privateers and their part in the Texas Revolution.

Read details about the Texas negotiations and alliance with the Yucatan rebels, who were also fighting the Mexican government. Includes a collection of primary texts: "Commodore Moore reports on the Yucatan cruise, December 1841,"...

A peace agreement between the Mexican government and the Yucatan rebels was bad news for the Texas navy. How did Commodore Moore react? Read this article to find out, and check out useful primary texts: "Midshipman Alfred Walke describes...

A short biography of Lorenzo de Zavala that outlines his many accomplishments in Mexican politics, and later in Texas.

A brief description of the Battle of Gonzales on October 2, 1835 when the Mexicans attempted to take a cannon and were rebuffed, precipitating the start of the Texas Revolution.

Presidio La Bahia is a restored Spanish fort in Goliad, Texas, and an important site in the Texas Revolution. This is where a mass execution took place in 1836 under the command of the Mexican General Jose Urrea.

An activity guide where students refer to the Texas Almanac, which is free to download, for information needed to complete assigned tasks. In this lesson, students examine the history of Texas from 1821-1833, the lead-up to the Texas...

A reprinting of The Law of April 6, 1830 which was to counter concerns that Mexican Texas, part of the border state of Coahuila y Texas, was in danger of being annexed by the United States.

Read this short overview of The Law of April 6, 1830 which was to counter concerns that Mexican Texas, part of the border state of Coahuila y Texas, was in danger of being annexed by the United States.