When this lesson is complete, students will understand the points of view of the Anglos and Spaniards toward Texas after the Treaty of 1819. Students will study maps of the shifting boundaries between states and countries, will research historical figures from the time period, and will write and perform a short play based on what they’ve learned.
Created by Brenda Beaven, 2007
The student understands how individuals, events, and issues prior to the Texas Revolution shaped the history of Texas. The student is expected to:
TEKS §113.23 Social Studies, Grade 7. (b)(2)(C,F)
The student applies critical- thinking skills to organize and use information acquired from a variety of sources including electronic technology. The student is expected to identify points of view from the historical context surrounding an event and the frame of reference that influenced the participants.
TEKS §113.23 Social studies skills, Grade 7. (b)(21)(D)
Background on the Louisiana Purchase
On April 1, 1803, land known as Louisiana passed from France to the United States. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and extended the lands that could and would eventually be settled by citizens of the United States. However, the boundaries that separated Texas from Louisiana are not the same as they are today. In fact, the Louisiana Purchase, according to many, went as far as the Neches River.
Background on the Treaty of 1819
The Treaty of 1819, also known as the Adams-Onis Treaty, settled a border dispute between Spain and the United States. The current boundaries between Texas and Louisiana were set in the Adams-Onis Treaty (Treaty of 1819). After the Adams-Onis Treaty, there was some discontent on both sides of the new border. Expansionists in the United States felt that the United States gave up too much by stating that they would never claim Texas again. The Spanish citizens in northeast Texas believed that the first capital of Texas, Los Adaes should have remained in Texas. Nonetheless, the border was drawn but the attempts to get Texas away from Spain continued by men such as James Long and General James Wilkenson of the United States Army. These men were known as filibusters.
Note: This is where I say, “If you want to overthrow the Spanish government, who ya gonna call?” If you say it just right, most students will respond, “Ghostbusters.” Say it again. “If you want to overthrow the Spanish government, who ya gonna call?” and many will realize you are looking for filibusters – if not help them out.
Dr. James Long was a filibuster who worked with General Wilkenson to disrupt and overthrow the Spanish government in Texas. Long married the General’s niece and she went with him into Nacogdoches and later Point Bolivar where she gave birth to the first Anglo child born in Texas. For that reason and many others, she is known as the Mother of Texas. After taking over Nacogdoches, Long needed help to keep out the Spanish military and went to Jean LaFayette on Galveston Island for help in the fight for Texas independence from Spain. LaFayette turned him down.
