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University of Texas at Austin

University of Texas: Exploration and Settlement Before 1675

For Students 9th - 10th
A great map showing the explorations of Spanish, French, and English explorers in North America between 1530 and 1675. A detailed key identifies each explorer and route. From the Perry-Castaneda Collection
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Handout
Other

Texas Bob: The First Europeans in Texas: 1528 1536

For Students 9th - 10th
One of the first Europeans to penetrate the interior of Texas, read Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca's account of his shipwreck and eventual return to the Spanish Court.
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Article
Texas A&M University

Texas A&m University: Antonio Margil De Jesus

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out about the life and work of Antonio Margil de Jesus, an early missionary to Texas.
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Article
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Antonio Margil De Jesus

For Students 9th - 10th
Read a short biography about Antonio Margil de Jesus, an early missionary to Texas.
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Handout
Texas State Historical Association

Texas State Historical Association: Early European Exploration and Development

For Students 9th - 10th
A chronological timeline of early European exploration and development in Texas spanning from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries.
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Website
Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Native American Relations in Texas: Introduction

For Students 9th - 10th
How did a Spanish explorer become a "medicine man and the first European trader in Texas"? Who authored the "first ever written description of Texas Indians"? Read this brief article to begin learning about the early relations between...
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Article
Other

Houston Institute for Culture: Early Texas History: Spanish Exploration

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Cabeza de Vaca, one of the first Europeans to extensively explore Texas after an accidental landing at Galveston Island.
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Handout
Other

History and Timelines: Texas History Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline of events covering important dates in Texas history beginning in 1519, and ending in 1898.
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Website
PBS

Pbs: Conquistadors: Cabeza De Vaca

For Students 9th - 10th
Click on "The Marvelous Adventure" to follow Cabeza de Vaca's several year journey through the Southeast and Texas. Part of a larger site on the Spanish conquest of the Western world, these pages focus on Cabeza de Vaca. Includes de...
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Article
Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bullock Museum: American Indians

For Students 9th - 10th
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Find out about how the two Americas: the Europeans' version, and the American Indians' version, started changing forever.
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Handout
Other

Texas Bob: The Journey of Alvar Nunez Cabeza De Vaca

For Students 9th - 10th
An English translation of Cabeza De Vaca's first-hand account of his journey and quest to claim territory from Florida to Mexico for Spain.
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Article
Bullock Texas State History Museum

Bullock Museum: Conquistadors

For Students 9th - 10th
Immerse in the campfire stories of the people who defined Texas. Read about the Spanish soldier-explorers who came to Texas in search of gold and glory.
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Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Cabeza De Vaca

For Students 9th - 10th
Explorer Cabeza de Vaca is considered the first true Chicano writer, having been born in Spain and then absorbed into the Native American culture, highlighting this new culture in his writings. Click on "Cabeza de Vaca Activities" for...