7th grade · Social Studies · Unit 1 of 13
Eras of Texas History
Key dates and eras, in order
What your child practices
The eras of Texas history as the TEKS name them, from Natural Texas and its People to Contemporary Texas, the key dates (1519, 1718, 1821, 1836, 1845, 1861, 1876, 1901), and history skills: primary and secondary sources, bias, credibility and citing sources.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 7.1(A); 7.1(B); 7.20(A); 7.20(B); 7.20(C); 7.20(D); 7.20(F); 7.21(A); 7.22(B) · the eras and key dates of Texas history, chronology, and evaluating and using sources
How we explain it
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
- Texas history has eras, each with key dates: 1519 mapping the coast, 1718 San Antonio, 1821 Mexican independence, 1836 Texas independence.
- Then 1845 annexation, 1861 secession, 1876 the state constitution, 1901 Spindletop oil.
- Primary sources come from the time; secondary sources are written later by someone who studied it.
Example: What is significant about 1836? Texas fought a revolution against Mexico. In 1836 it declared and won independence. Answer: Texas won independence from Mexico
Eras of Texas History in Texas
In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 1 of 13 in 7th grade Social Studies, before Natural Texas & Contact.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
- 7th grade guide for Texas parents
- Printable 7th grade Social Studies sheet
- Texas report cards explained
Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Put these events in order, earliest first.
- The East Texas oil field is discovered
- Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act
- Texas is annexed by the United States
- La Salle founds Fort St. Louis
La Salle founds Fort St. Louis → Texas is annexed by the United States → The East Texas oil field is discovered → Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act
Hint: In order: La Salle founds Fort St. Louis (1685), Texas is annexed by the United States (1845), The East Texas oil field is discovered (1930), Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act (1964).
Question 2
Which of these happened last?
- The Battle of Medina is fought
- The Santa Fe Expedition is captured
- The Compromise of 1850 sets the Texas boundaries
- Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act
Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act
Hint: Put them in order: The Battle of Medina is fought (1813), The Santa Fe Expedition is captured (1841), The Compromise of 1850 sets the Texas boundaries (1850), Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act (1964).
Question 3
A newspaper published in 1861 that supported secession might be biased because…
- newspapers are never biased
- its editors wanted readers to agree with secession
- it was printed on paper
- it was written in English
its editors wanted readers to agree with secession
Hint: Consider the author's purpose.
Question 4
Which of these happened first?
- Smith v. Allwright strikes down the white primary
- Juneteenth: freedom is announced in Galveston
- Sweatt v. Painter opens the University of Texas law school to Heman Sweatt
- Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act
Juneteenth: freedom is announced in Galveston
Hint: Put them in order: Juneteenth: freedom is announced in Galveston (1865), Smith v. Allwright strikes down the white primary (1944), Sweatt v. Painter opens the University of Texas law school to Heman Sweatt (1950), Lyndon B. Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act (1964).
Question 5
A secondary source is…
- an account written later by someone who studied the event
- an artifact from the event
- a letter written by an eyewitness
- a photograph taken at the event
an account written later by someone who studied the event
Hint: Historians write secondary sources from primary ones.
Question 6
Which of these happened first?
- The Council House Fight takes place in San Antonio
- The Fredonian Rebellion breaks out in Nacogdoches
- Texas declares independence and wins at San Jacinto
- Texas women win the right to vote in primary elections
The Fredonian Rebellion breaks out in Nacogdoches
Hint: Put them in order: The Fredonian Rebellion breaks out in Nacogdoches (1826), Texas declares independence and wins at San Jacinto (1836), The Council House Fight takes place in San Antonio (1840), Texas women win the right to vote in primary elections (1918).