Handout
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: Texas Independence: Mexican Texas 1821 1836

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the sequence of events in Texas from 1821 to 1836 that led up to the Mexican-American War.
Handout
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: Mexican American Culture Differences

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the structure of Mexican society in the 19th century and the cultural clashes that resulted in their dealings with Americans in Texas.
Handout
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Stephen F. Austin

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this short biography of Stephen F. Austin, complete with links to primary documents involving the empresario known as "The Father of Texas."
Handout
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Interactives: The Nation Expands: Texas Annexation, 1845

For Students 6th - 8th
Explains how Texas came to become part of the Union in 1845, at its own request. This precipitated the Mexican-American War.
Handout
Son of the South

Son of the South: The History of Texas: Battle of Medina

For Students 9th - 10th
Written in the style of a narrative of events, read the stories surrounding the Battle of Medina in the Mexican War for Independence from Spain.
Handout
Texas A&M University

Sons of De Witt Colony Texas: Gutierrez De Lara: In Nuevo Santander

For Students 9th - 10th
Jose Gutierrez de Lara, the first governor of Mexican Texas, was determined to free Mexico from Spain. Read about the early Texas settlement of Nuevo Santander, and how it was settled by Spanish American colonists.
Handout
PBS

Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Samuel Colt

For Students 9th - 10th
One-page profile of influential innovator, Samuel Colt, whose vision and ideas created the revolving pistol that was later used in the Mexican American War and the Texas Revolution.