
Since before Mexico won independence from Spain in 1821, people of Spanish descent have built communities and culture in what is now Texas. Finding none, they largely ignored the region until a French expedition got their attention. Spanish conquistadors sought out riches in the land now called Texas. For the next four years Texans were a part of nearly every battle of the Civil War, while those left on the home front coped with war time realities. Texas seceded from the United States in 1861 to join the Confederacy. From the earliest Spanish vaqueros to modern cowboys, ranchers have shaped the social, economic, and political identity of Texas since the 15th century. The history of Texas cattle ranching is intertwined with the history of the state itself. From around the United States, settlers packed up their belongings and their newly-issued land grant titles and journeyed toward new futures. Mexico encouraged Anglo Americans to settle the sparsely-populated Texas territory with land incentives that were hard to resist.

That multi-faceted story continues today as many groups keep their traditions and languages alive. In a story unfolding over 16,000 years, diverse American Indian groups built empires and rich cultures. As Texans continue to work toward equality and justice, African Americans remain an integral part of the Texas story. Since the earliest days of colonization, people of African descent have created culture and community in the land now known as Texas. Use these lists to help expand your content knowledge while planning classroom lessons for your students, or send your students on assignment to explore these Top Ten lists on their own. The Texas History Top Ten tool is perfect if you only have a short amount of time, want a broad overview, or want to find hidden gems about a particular topic. The Bullock Texas State History Museum's website is filled with artifacts, oral histories, highlights from curators, and interesting stories.
