Examines the circumstances surrounding Texas's entry into the Union in 1845 as a slave state. It was an uneasy union, with ongoing controversy around the issue of slavery. This lasted through the Mexican-American War and helped to...

Read this letter through which the interim president of Texas wrote to Michel B. Menard, "a trader and adopted member of the Shawnee nation," asking Menard "to negotiate a peace treaty with the Shawnees, Delawares, and Kickapoos." This...

Read about Sam Houston's attempt to keep the peace between whites and Indians as president of the Republic of Texas. See primary source documents addressing this issue and read transcripts of the documents.

Ten years of important dates that highlight the chronology of Texas' annexation into the United States of America.

After Baylor University and University of Texas opened their doors to women in the late 19th century, more Texas women had access to education as well as paying jobs. Read how this new opportunity for women as well as the formation of...

Take a peek inside the Republic of Texas' relations with the Native Americans in the early nineteenth century.

Concisely written accounts of three important events in the history and shaping of Texas: the Annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War, and the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo.

Explore the Texas Navy, which "provides a unique insight into the early Republic, its politics and personalities and its fight for survival." This online exhibit is organized into various detailed sections including "The First Navy,"...

This website from Texas State Library contains a petition for pensions for African-Americans who served in the Battle of San Jacinto. Clicking on the document will enlarge it and will take you to a transcription of the document.

The complete text of a memoir by Noah Smithwick, first published in 1900. It has been heralded as one of the most accurate portrayals of early Texas life.

Thomas Rusk's Oath of Citizenship, Report from San Jacinto, and Letter on the 1850 Boundary Compromise are found here. You will see a picture of the original document, and a typed translation.

This website contains many interesting pictures of Ma Ferguson and her family. You will also find a few brief biographies of her life.

Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. In this case the Texas Rangers; a raggedy bunch, who straightened up when they needed to.

An examination of the factors that led to the urbanization of Dallas, Texas, and the impact of the resulting changes.

A profile of Raul A. Gonzalez, Jr., a Hispanic American who served on the Texas Supreme Court.

Read this short biography of Lorenzo de Zavala, complete with links to primary documents involving the 19th-century Mexican politician.

The Compromise of 1850 attempted to settle sectional disagreements about slavery in the volatile pre-Civil War period. The compromise, actually a series of bills, had an enormous impact on the nation's slow march to civil war. See...

A map from 1853 of Texas showing the capital at Austin, county lines at the time, principal cities and towns, railroads, mountains, rivers, and coastal features. The map shows the tribal lands in the western part of the state. Longitudes...

Find out how the Spindletop oil well gusher started the prolific oil industry in the great state of Texas.

Find out how the ecological and economic disaster known as the Dust Bowl affected Texans and the state of Texas.

A brief biography of Texas Revolution patriot, Juan Seguin, complete with links to primary documents involving the Texas and Mexico politician.

Read about the history of ranching in the state of Texas, and how this practice shaped the state's history.

An overview of the state and progress of civil rights in the state of Texas since its emancipation from slavery in 1865.

Find help and advice on civil rights issues occurring in the state of Texas. A great resource for citizens who want to self-advocate.