Texas! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Comanches

The Comanches were nomadic and very fierce hunters.

Answer: Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda

Pineda never actually trod the soil of Texas, but he sailed passed it. Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to set foot in Texas.

Answer: The Battle of San Jacinto

In the Battle of San Jacinto, the Texan army, led by Sam Houston, sneaked up on Santa Anna's army. 630 Mexicans were killed and 730 captured, while only two Texans died and 30 were wounded. Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco stating that said Mexicans would never fight against Texas again, and agreed to the withdrawl of all Mexican troops.

It also said that all Mexican prisoners would be exchanged for all Texas prisoners. Another secret treaty said that Santa Anna would promise to work for Mexico's recognition of Texas's independence.

In exchange for all this, Santa Anna was to be set free without harm. But, Mexico did not follow through with the treaties, saying that treaties mean nothing to the Mexican society when signed in such conditions.

Answer: False

You could be president as many times as you wanted, as long as there was another person elected between terms. Sam Houston was the first president of the Republic of Texas. Texas officially became a state on December 29, 1845.

Answer: The Mexican War

Mexicans did not choose to believe Texas was part of the U.S. This conflict eventually evolved into war.

Answer: The Chisholm Trail

The creator's name was Jesse Chisholm. The trail was created because farmers in East Texas didn't want cattle trampling all of their crops during cattle drives toward Louisiana. So Chisolm made a trail going to a cowtown (a town where cattle are put on railroads to be shipped to the markets) called Abilene, Kansas.

Answer: Logging

Oil wasn't discovered in Texas until 1901 by Anthony Lucas. He found oil under Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas. The oil under spindletop had so much pressure, it actually came spurting out of the derrick for nine days until they could finally cap it.

This was known as the Spindletop Gusher. The Spindletop Gusher led to the founding of many new oil companies, plenty failing when they did not strike oil. Most of these new derricks sprung up near Beaumont, which caused a dramatic rise in population.

Many oil companies chose Houston for their headquartrs, which helped make Houston the big city it is today.

Answer: James Hogg

Populism was supported by rural citizens because they had not benefitted from the modern lifestyle made possible by the growth of industry. They believed their interests were being ignored. Many farmers formed the Farmers' Alliance, which later evolved into the People's Party (or the Populist Party).

The reason this political party isn't around today is because the Democratic Party adopted many of the People's Party's beliefs.

Answer: 1936

Texas won the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, thus making 100 years later land on the year 1936.

Answer: I Like Ike!

Dwight D. Eisenhower won the elections of 1952 and 1956. He helped stop segregation of blacks whites that had been going on since the Civil War had ended.