Six Flags over Texas

Texas Revolution

Lesson

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So take your time!

Six different nations have flown its flag over what is now the state of Texas. This fact is the reason for a slogan, "Six Flags Over Texas," that is used in shopping malls, theme parks, and on the reverse side of The Great Seal of Texas.

Poll

Have you ever heard the term "Six Flags Over Texas"?

Spain was the first country to lay claim to Texas. Cortez began exploration of Mexico in 1519. The first Spanish settlement was created over one hundred years later. The Ysleta Mission in present El Paso was made in 1681.

Multiple Choice

From the reading, you can infer that Cortez was:

• President of Guatemala

• A Spanish Explorer

• The first person to ever explore North America.

• The leader of the Ysleta Mission.

Even though Texas was claimed by Spain, there was no one there to defend the claim. So in 1685, France planted its flag along the Gulf Coast. The French founded a colony called Fort St. Louis. A series of disasters including shipwreck, famine, disease, hostile Indians, and fighting within the ranks caused the downfall of this colony by 1690. At that time, the territory went back into Spanish hands.

Multiple Choice

Who was guarding the land for Spain?

• The French

• The Swiss

• No one

• English and Polish soldiers.

Multiple Choice

Why did France put a flag in Texas?

• To make it look nice.

• No one really knows why.

• Because it was tradition to do this for Spain.

• To claim it as their own.

Note: This slide is a duplicate.

Even though Texas was claimed by Spain, there was no one there to defend the claim. So in 1685, France planted its flag along the Gulf Coast. The French founded a colony called Fort St. Louis. A series of disasters including shipwreck, famine, disease, hostile Indians, and fighting within the ranks caused the downfall of this colony by 1690. At that time, the territory went back into Spanish hands.

Multiple Choice

What was the result of all the disasters that took place in the French colony?

• It made French control stronger.

• It allowed Spain to take control of it again.

• It made Texas change it's name.

• It allowed Cuba to take control of Texas.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Spain took back control of Texas in 1655.

• True

• False

For the next hundred years, Texas was an unsettled frontier. After the French left, hardy pioneers from the U.S. and Mexico gradually drifted into the Texas territory. Mexico threw off the Spanish control. It became independent in 1821.

Multiple Select

Choose the 3 words that are missing from this paragraph:

For the next hundred years, Texas was an unsettled frontier. After the French left, hardy pioneers from the _____ and Mexico gradually drifted into the ______ territory. Mexico threw off the Spanish control. It became ________ in 1821.

• England

• Independent

• US

• free

• Texas

It was at this time that Mexico claimed the Texas territory as its own. The Anglo settlers were now Mexican citizens. The two cultures did not get along. When the Mexican General, Santa Ana, declared himself the dictator of Mexico, the Anglo-Texans revolted.

Multiple Choice

Based on this paragraph, who now claimed Texas?

• Mexico

• America

• Columbia

• Honduras

Multiple Choice

True or False: Once Mexico claimed Texas, the cultures got along great.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Why were Anglo-Texans angry that General Santa Ana became leader of Mexico?

• Because he wasn't a Christian

• Because he was a dictator and now their leader too.

• Because he was originally from Spain.

The Anglo-Texans won their independence on April 21, 1836, on the battleground of San Jacinto near Houston. The flag of the Republic of Texas flew over this territory for almost ten years. It was during this period in Texas history that the unique character of Texas developed.

Multiple Choice

From where did Texas win its independence?

• San Jacinto

• Puerto Rico

• The Capital of Spain

• El Salvador

Multiple Choice

How long did the Republic of Texas flag fly over the land?

• 5 years

• 7 years

• 10 years

• 12 years

It was the birthplace of the American cowboy and the Texas Rangers. Sam Houston served as its president. Then, Texas joined the United States on December 29, 1845. It was the 28th state of the Union, and The Stars and Stripes became its flag.

Multiple Choice

Why is December an important date?

• Spain won Texas back in a the Battle of Bull Run.

• Texas became a US state

• Texas was sold to Italy

Sixteen years after Texas joined the Union, the American Civil War broke out. Governor Sam Houston urged his fellow Texans to stay out of the Civil War, but they chose to join the Confederate cause. The Confederate flag flew over Texas from 1861 through 1865, when the South lost the war.

Multiple Choice

True or False: Sam Houston did not want to get involved in the Civil War.

• True

• False

From then on, the Stars and Stripes have flown over Texas along with the Texas state flag. The red, white, and blue state flag, also known as the "Lone Star Flag," has a single white star on its blue vertical stripe.

The Lone Star State

The Texas Flag

Open Ended

Name the 6 nations whose flag has flown over Texas, meaning they controlled it (name as many as you can):