Read the passage below:
In the early 16th century, both Spanish and French explorers set their sights on the land we now know as Texas. In 1519, a Spanish explorer named Alonso Álvarez de Pineda sailed along the Gulf Coast and became the first European to map the Texas coastline. Then, in 1528, another Spanish explorer named Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and his crew shipwrecked near Galveston Island. They were the first Europeans to set foot on Texas soil.
Cabeza de Vaca and his crew spent the next several years wandering through Texas, encountering various Native American tribes along the way. They faced many hardships, including disease, hunger, and attacks from hostile tribes. Despite these challenges, Cabeza de Vaca and a few others managed to survive and eventually made their way to Mexico City. He wrote a book called La Racion which inspired other Spanish explorers to come to Texas to find wealth.
Meanwhile, the Spanish continued their exploration of Texas. In 1540, a Spanish conquistador named Francisco Vázquez de Coronado led an expedition into the region in search of wealth and glory. However, Coronado's mission ultimately failed to find the riches he had hoped for. Nevertheless, his journey provided valuable information about the land and its native inhabitants.
During this time, the Columbian Exchange was also taking place. This was a period of widespread exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World (Europe, Africa, and Asia) and the New World (the Americas). As a result, many new plants and animals were introduced to Texas, while diseases brought by the Europeans had a devastating impact on the native populations.
The Spanish presence in Texas continued to grow, and they established missions and presidios (forts) to claim the land for Spain. These missions served as religious outposts and centers of Spanish influence. Soldiers, often on horseback, protected the missions and explored the surrounding areas.
In the early 18th century, the French also became interested in Texas. They saw it as an opportunity to expand their territory and gain control over valuable resources. The French even sold guns to some Native American tribes, which caused tensions with the Spanish.
The border between Spanish Texas and French Louisiana became a source of conflict. Both sides wanted to control the lucrative fur trade in the region. This led to several skirmishes and disputes over land boundaries.
In conclusion, the early exploration of Texas by Spanish and French explorers laid the foundation for the future development of the region. These explorers faced numerous challenges, but their efforts paved the way for the establishment of missions, the spread of diseases, and the eventual colonization of Texas by European powers.
Instructions: Answer the questions below, based on the reading passage above.
1 Based on the passage, why did the French become interested in Texas?
A They wanted to expand their territory and gain control over valuable resources.
B They wanted to establish missions and presidios in the region.
C They wanted to explore the surrounding areas.
D They wanted to sell guns to Native American tribes.
2 According to the text, what was the purpose of the Spanish missions in Texas?
A To claim the land for Spain and establish military forts.
B To spread diseases among the native populations.
C To protect the French explorers.
D To engage in the fur trade with the Native American tribes.
3 What is the main idea of this passage?
A The French exploration of Texas led to the establishment of missions and presidios.
B The Spanish and French explorers faced numerous challenges during their exploration of Texas.
C The Columbian Exchange had a devastating impact on the native populations of Texas.
D The early exploration of Texas by Spanish and French explorers laid the foundation for the future development of the region.
What was the impact of the Columbian Exchange on Texas?
4 Select 2 Answers
A It introduced new plants animals to the region.
B It led to the establishment of missions and presidios.
C It caused tensions between the Spanish and French explorers.
D It resulted in the failure of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition.
E Cause widespread death amongst the Texas Native Populations.
5 What were the impacts of the Spanish missions on the native populations in Texas?
A They spread Christianity among the Native American tribes and provided them with education and healthcare.
B They forced the Native American tribes to abandon their traditional way of life and adopt European customs.
C They introduced new plants and animals to the region, which had a positive impact on the local economy.
D They brought diseases that had a devastating impact on the native populations.
6 What were some of the challenges that Cabeza de Vaca and his crew faced during their exploration of Texas?
A Encountering various Native American tribes along the way.
B Finding gold and other valuable resources.
C Establishing missions and presidios in the region.
D Selling guns to Native American tribes.
7 What was the impact of the Spanish missions in Texas?
A To spread Christianity among the Native American tribes.
B To find gold and other valuable resources.
C To establish a trading post with the French.
D To explore the surrounding areas.
8 What was the purpose of the French selling guns to some Native American tribes in Texas?
A To establish friendly relations with the Native American tribes.
B To gain control over the lucrative fur trade in the region.
C To protect the Spanish missions from potential attacks.
D To explore the surrounding areas.
1) A - They wanted to expand their territory and gain control over valuable resources.
2) A - To claim the land for Spain and establish military forts.
3) D - The early exploration of Texas by Spanish and French explorers laid the foundation for the future development of the region.
4) A - It introduced new plants and animals to the region and E - Caused widespread death amongst the Texas Native Populations.
5) B - They forced the Native American tribes to abandon their traditional way of life and adopt European customs and D - They brought diseases that had a devastating impact on the native populations.
6) A - Encountering various Native American tribes along the way.
7) A - To spread Christianity among the Native American tribes.
8) B - To gain control over the lucrative fur trade in the region.
4 What was the impact of the Columbian Exchange on Texas?
Select 2 Answers
A It introduced new plants animals to the region.
B It led to the establishment of missions and presidios.
C It caused tensions between the Spanish and French explorers.
D It resulted in the failure of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado's expedition.
E Cause widespread death amongst the Texas Native Populations.
(You forgot to choose 2 answers.)
A - It introduced new plants and animals to the region.
E - Causes widespread death amongst the Texas Native Populations.
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1. A They wanted to expand their territory and gain control over valuable resources.
2. A To claim the land for Spain and establish military forts.
3. D The early exploration of Texas by Spanish and French explorers laid the foundation for the future development of the region.
4. A It introduced new plants and animals to the region, and E caused widespread death amongst the Texas Native Populations.
5. D They brought diseases that had a devastating impact on the native populations.
6. A Encountering various Native American tribes along the way.
7. A To spread Christianity among the Native American tribes.
8. B To gain control over the lucrative fur trade in the region.
1. Based on the passage, the answer to why the French became interested in Texas is A) They wanted to expand their territory and gain control over valuable resources. This information is stated in the passage when it mentions that the French saw Texas as an opportunity to expand their territory and gain control over valuable resources.
2. According to the text, the purpose of the Spanish missions in Texas is A) To claim the land for Spain and establish military forts. This is mentioned in the passage when it states that the Spanish established missions and presidios (forts) to claim the land for Spain. The missions served as religious outposts and centers of Spanish influence, and soldiers protected them.
3. The main idea of this passage is D) The early exploration of Texas by Spanish and French explorers laid the foundation for the future development of the region. This is supported by the information in the passage that discusses the Spanish and French explorers exploring, claiming land, establishing missions, and the eventual colonization of Texas.
4. The impact of the Columbian Exchange on Texas is A) It introduced new plants and animals to the region and E) Caused widespread death amongst the Texas Native Populations. The passage mentions that the Columbian Exchange was a period of widespread exchange of plants, animals, and diseases between the Old World and the New World. As a result, many new plants and animals were introduced to Texas while diseases brought by the Europeans had a devastating impact on the native populations.
5. The impacts of the Spanish missions on the native populations in Texas are B) They forced the Native American tribes to abandon their traditional way of life and adopt European customs and D) They brought diseases that had a devastating impact on the native populations. The passage mentions that the Spanish missions served as religious outposts and centers of Spanish influence. While they may have spread Christianity, they also caused the native populations to abandon their traditional way of life and brought diseases that had a devastating impact.
6. Some of the challenges that Cabeza de Vaca and his crew faced during their exploration of Texas are A) Encountering various Native American tribes along the way. The passage mentions that Cabeza de Vaca and his crew spent the next several years wandering through Texas and encountering various Native American tribes along the way.
7. The impact of the Spanish missions in Texas is A) To spread Christianity among the Native American tribes. The passage mentions that the missions served as religious outposts and centers of Spanish influence, indicating a purpose of spreading Christianity among the Native American tribes.
8. The purpose of the French selling guns to some Native American tribes in Texas is B) To gain control over the lucrative fur trade in the region. The passage mentions that the French sold guns to some Native American tribes, causing tensions with the Spanish. This suggests that the purpose was to gain control over the fur trade in the region.