Question 1

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
The Alamo

Accepted Answer

The Alamo was a mission and fortress compound in San Antonio, Texas, that played a significant role in the Texas Revolution. In 1836, during the Texas Revolution, a small group of Texan defenders, including famous figures like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, held off a much larger Mexican force for 13 days before ultimately being defeated. The battle became a symbol of resistance and sacrifice for the Texan cause, and the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo" became a key slogan in the fight for Texas independence. The Alamo remains a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Texas pride and independence.

Question 2

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Overland trails

Accepted Answer

The Overland Trails were a network of routes used by pioneers and settlers to travel from the eastern United States to the western frontier during the 19th century. The most well-known of these trails were the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail.

The Oregon Trail, established in the 1830s, was used by thousands of settlers to travel from Missouri to Oregon's Willamette Valley. The California Trail, also established in the 1830s, was used by pioneers seeking gold and a new life in California. The Mormon Trail was used by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to travel from Illinois to Utah in the 1840s and 1850s.

These trails were significant because they facilitated the westward expansion of the United States and played a crucial role in the settlement of the American West. They allowed for the transportation of people, goods, and livestock, and helped to establish new communities and trading posts along the way. The trails also presented numerous challenges, including harsh terrain, extreme weather, and conflicts with Native American tribes. Despite these challenges, the Overland Trails were instrumental in shaping the history and development of the western United States.

Question 3

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
Sam Houston

Accepted Answer

Sam Houston (March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an American soldier and politician, best known for his role in bringing Texas into the United States as a constituent state. His life was marked by significant contributions to the development and governance of Texas, and he is a key figure in the history of the American Southwest.

Houston was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and had a varied career that included time spent with the Cherokee Nation, where he was given the name "Colonneh," meaning "the Raven." He served in the War of 1812 under General Andrew Jackson and later became a protégé of Jackson. Houston moved to Tennessee, where he practiced law and entered politics, serving as a U.S. Representative from 1823 to 1827 and as Governor of Tennessee from 1827 to 1829.

His personal life was tumultuous, and after a brief marriage that ended in divorce, Houston moved to Mexican Texas in 1832. There, he quickly became involved in the growing movement for Texas' independence from Mexico. He was a key leader in the Texas Revolution and was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Texian Army. Houston led the Texian forces to victory at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, which effectively secured Texas' independence from Mexico. The victory at San Jacinto made Houston a hero and a key figure in Texas history.

Following the revolution, Houston served as the first elected President of the Republic of Texas, holding office from 1836 to 1838 and again from 1841 to 1844. He worked to stabilize the fledgling republic's economy and sought to secure its recognition and protection from foreign powers, as well as to negotiate peaceful relations with Native American tribes.

When Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845, Houston became a U.S. Senator, serving from 1846 to 1859. He was a strong advocate for the Union and worked to avoid the secession of Texas during the lead-up to the American Civil War. Despite his efforts, Texas joined the Confederacy in 1861. Houston refused to swear allegiance to the Confederacy, which led to his removal from the office of Governor of Texas, a position he had been elected to in 1859.

Sam Houston's legacy is significant due to his central role in the Texas Revolution, his leadership in the Republic of Texas, and his efforts to guide Texas through its early years as a U.S. state. He is remembered as a complex figure with a deep impact on the history and identity of Texas. The city of Houston, the largest city in Texas and the fourth-largest in the United States, is named in his honor.

Question 4

Instructions: Identify the following. Be as specific as possible, and include names, dates, and relevant facts as appropriate. Be sure to explain the significance of the person or term. 
José Antonio Navarro

Accepted Answer