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Primary Source Adventures
Mexican Flag The Battle of San Jacinto focuses on the victory that was the pivotal point of the Texas revolution.  To explore the battle excerpts are taken from Jesse A. Ziegler’s When Texas Was Young, a Santa Anna order, and a Lynchburg Voter’s List analysis. Further depth is added by maps and modern photographs of the battlefield, which allow learners to gain a visual understanding of the terrain
Buffalo soldiers on patrol Buffalo Soldiers examines the service of African Americans serving the U.S. Army during the late nineteenth century, using period accounts from Harpers Monthly and The Century. Students will learn about the perils of the cavalry patrol: extreme heat, dust, thirst, and boredom.
Trinity River Building Texas: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reveals the important role that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has had on Texas and American.
Cabeza de Vaca tells the story of his lost years in the New World, as explorer, slave, trader, shaman and surgeon.  This Primary Source Adventure focuses on his time in Texas.

Charging into Battle with Hood's Texas Brigade draws students directly into the civil war battle experience, through a chilling account of a young man's first engagement in battle.

Coronado: Misfortune's Explorer portrays the debacles of Coronado and his men as they journey in search of god and glory.  Students will learn about Spain's lust for gold, and the hapless adventurers pursuing it.
Helicopters at Fort Wolters Fort Wolters: Texas and Vietnam reveals a role that Texas played in training helicoptor pilots for the Vietnam War. Texas, with its abundant land and resources, has played host to numerous military bases in the past. .
Galveston 1900: Storm of the Century focuses on the deadliest natural disaster in United States History, the Galveston hurricane of September 8, 1900. This PSA allows students to gain an understanding of the hurricane’s devastation and how the citizens of Galveston reacted and rebuilt.
Failed Diplomacy: the Zimmermann Telegram examines the affect the telegram had on Texans and the role it played in bringing American into World War I.  This PSA immerses learners in the debate and outrage over the telegram through period newspaper articles, posters and political cartoons.
What not to write to a soldier Home Front: the United States during World War II examines issues such as rationing, conservation, war production, and separation. Through oral histories and images, students will come to better understand the impact the war had on the United States and Texas.
Iwo Jima: Forgotten Valor depicts the story of  Charles W. Lindberg, a Texan who fought in the Pacific and is captured in this photo of  the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Read his stirring account of his experiences in the war, while exploring WWII  posters and battle photos.
Life in the Civilian Conservation Corps examines the harsh realities of the Great Depression, and explores one path a young man might take to keep his family from starvation.
Lone Stars and Gun Smoke illustrates the role  the Texas Rangers played in maintaining law and order along the Texas-Mexico border.   Students will explore the prevailing views of frontier justice through the eyes of Texas Ranger Captain, Dan W. Roberts.
Lorenzo de Zavala Online: Empresario, Statesman and Texas Revolutionary presents fascinating materials documenting the life of a Texas patriot and first interim Vice-President of the Republic of Texas.  This program is supported in part by Humanities Texas, the state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Mier Expedition delivers a first-hand view of the infamous black bean incident in Saltillo, that determined which Texian prisoners would be executed on Santa Anna's orders.
The Path to Revolution examines the events leading up to the Texas Revolution. Materials for this adventure include excerpts from a Pictorial History of Texas, and numerous images. After completing this adventure, learners will understand the political foundation and the underlying conflicts which set the stage for the coming Revolution.
Reconstructing Texas: 1866-1874 takes an in-depth look at the conflicting attitudes and beliefs between military authorities and resistant Texas citizens who opposed any change to their social order. Period sources such as William D. Woods's Reminiscences of Reconstruction in Texas represents the views of most Anglos during reconstruction, and excerpts from letters discuss Ku Klux Klan depredations and the urgent need for federal troops to maintain order.
Remember the Alamo covers the quintessential event in Texas history, the Battle of the Alamo.  It served to fire the Texas revolutionaries, who led the charge at the San Jacinto with cries of "Remember the Alamo.  Examine fascinating materials that bring this history alive.

Runaway Slaves explores the  gripping realities facing slaves who escaped their owners.  Through first-hand accounts and newspaper advertisements, students will come to better understand the despicable institution of slavery.

Shelby County: the Regulator Moderator War relates the events  of one of the bloodiest feuds in Texas history.  Students will understand the motivations and personalities that led to this fierce conflict.
Texas Annexation: United We Stand? examines the politics and controversy surrounding the Texas annexation question during the 1844 United States presidential election. Students will understand the difficulty in achieving annexation and can observe the growing divide between slave and free states. 
Texas City Disaster allows students to experience the devastation from an individual perspective.  On April 16, 1947, the worst industrial accident in U. S. history occurred in the port at Texas City.  Two ships loaded with ammonium nitrate, the SS Grandcamp, and the SS Highflyer exploded, causing devastating damages and over 500 deaths. 
map The Texas Revolution examines the events of the Texas Revolution through a wealth of primary resources: Filisola's Evacuation of Texas, Military Maps of the Texas Revolution, History of the Revolution in Texas, letters from Lorenzo de Zavala, and the surrender terms signed by General Cos.

Wichita and Comanche Villages compares and contrasts the  village lifestyles of two Native American groups by using sketches and first-hand accounts.

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This page is currently maintained by Dreanna Belden and was last updated September 2, 2005.

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