The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum gives a history of Texas from before European Explores all the way through the Oil Boom and WWII. The diverse cultures and countries that have occupied the land we all call home are amazing. The diversity stretches from cultures and race to species and lifestyles.
Native Americans were the first to call Texas home. They lived here for almost 11,000 years before European Explores "found" the "new land." The clash of cultures when the Europeans arrived was inevitable. The Europeans looked upon the Native Americans as barbaric, uncivilized cultures. In reality, the Native American Tribes were
quite advanced and had complex societies. Take, for example, the Karankawa tribe who lived along the gulf coast. They "had an intimate knowledge of their environment and tuned their lives to the availability of fish, game, and wild plants." Colonization of European Explores in the Texas Native Americans' lands led to clashes. The illnesses that the Europeans brought with them to the "new land" were interpreted differently by both cultures. The people had different religions and upbringing and it was only natural that unrest, mistrust, and eventually war was to ensue from their unaddressed differences.
Eventually different European countries were clashing over who had the right to claim Tejas. The Spaniards were trying to extend their influence up from the south and their foothold in present day Mexico. The French was trying to spread down from the north. Both sides spread their influence differently. French trappers and traders that had ties with the tribes warned of the Spaniards in the south. The Spaniards won the colonization efforts through their missions. "Colonization begins on faith." Spain sent settlers, missionaries and soldiers to protect them. The government relied on a system of missions and presidios or forts to secure its foothold in Tejas. Instead of accepting the natives as they were and respecting them and their customs. The Spanish government sent the missionaries to convert the "barbarians" into law abiding Catholic subjects. If the natives converted to Catholicism they were able to reap the benefits of their local mission. The diversity of the area was destroyed. You either converted and were accepted or did not and were rejected.
These missions were the first form of settlers in the west. Mules and oxen were used to transport goods as settlers moved up from Mexico-- they were the only animals that could endure the hunger, drought, and hardships of the trip. As one settler said, "Texas was a heaven to men and dogs, but a hell for women, oxen, and mules." As Texas became an open frontier and many began the "move west," the diversity in Texas began to open up again. When Texas became independent in 1836, Protestant services and revivals became common occurrences. Settlers now had a choice of religions and the Catholic stronghold of the region began to dissolve. The landscape changed from central missions to spread out farms. Loneliness and isolation were a fact of life. When a social event was planned, everyone attended. The different customs and traditions of the people that moved west were meshed together to create a community. Diversity had to be embraced. You were not allowed to choose your neighbor, but you had to accept them for the simple need of companionship. Many moved west for the opportunity that it presented. The reality was that it took a lot of hard work. The West equalized people. It didn’t matter what kind of education you had or how much money you brought. Everyone lived in a crude house and worked from sun up to sun down to put food in their bellies.
As time moved on Texas became more civilized and settled. Towns popped up and the big ranches and cattle became the highest earning industry-- making the Fort
Worth Stock yards world famous. The cowboys that worked the ranches came from all over the United States and even beyond. The routes they used to drive their cattle were originally the Native American trails that the Spanish used as trade routes between their missions. Today, we build interstates across these ancient paths. When I look at Texas, all I see is diversity. Some people may think that everyone in Texas rides horses and were boots and cowboy hats. While we have probably all done these things at least once in our lives, it is important to realize the diversity that created this great state. To understand that every step you take has been taken by many generations of Texans before you. Hook 'em!
Native Americans were the first to call Texas home. They lived here for almost 11,000 years before European Explores "found" the "new land." The clash of cultures when the Europeans arrived was inevitable. The Europeans looked upon the Native Americans as barbaric, uncivilized cultures. In reality, the Native American Tribes were
quite advanced and had complex societies. Take, for example, the Karankawa tribe who lived along the gulf coast. They "had an intimate knowledge of their environment and tuned their lives to the availability of fish, game, and wild plants." Colonization of European Explores in the Texas Native Americans' lands led to clashes. The illnesses that the Europeans brought with them to the "new land" were interpreted differently by both cultures. The people had different religions and upbringing and it was only natural that unrest, mistrust, and eventually war was to ensue from their unaddressed differences.Eventually different European countries were clashing over who had the right to claim Tejas. The Spaniards were trying to extend their influence up from the south and their foothold in present day Mexico. The French was trying to spread down from the north. Both sides spread their influence differently. French trappers and traders that had ties with the tribes warned of the Spaniards in the south. The Spaniards won the colonization efforts through their missions. "Colonization begins on faith." Spain sent settlers, missionaries and soldiers to protect them. The government relied on a system of missions and presidios or forts to secure its foothold in Tejas. Instead of accepting the natives as they were and respecting them and their customs. The Spanish government sent the missionaries to convert the "barbarians" into law abiding Catholic subjects. If the natives converted to Catholicism they were able to reap the benefits of their local mission. The diversity of the area was destroyed. You either converted and were accepted or did not and were rejected.
These missions were the first form of settlers in the west. Mules and oxen were used to transport goods as settlers moved up from Mexico-- they were the only animals that could endure the hunger, drought, and hardships of the trip. As one settler said, "Texas was a heaven to men and dogs, but a hell for women, oxen, and mules." As Texas became an open frontier and many began the "move west," the diversity in Texas began to open up again. When Texas became independent in 1836, Protestant services and revivals became common occurrences. Settlers now had a choice of religions and the Catholic stronghold of the region began to dissolve. The landscape changed from central missions to spread out farms. Loneliness and isolation were a fact of life. When a social event was planned, everyone attended. The different customs and traditions of the people that moved west were meshed together to create a community. Diversity had to be embraced. You were not allowed to choose your neighbor, but you had to accept them for the simple need of companionship. Many moved west for the opportunity that it presented. The reality was that it took a lot of hard work. The West equalized people. It didn’t matter what kind of education you had or how much money you brought. Everyone lived in a crude house and worked from sun up to sun down to put food in their bellies.
As time moved on Texas became more civilized and settled. Towns popped up and the big ranches and cattle became the highest earning industry-- making the Fort
Worth Stock yards world famous. The cowboys that worked the ranches came from all over the United States and even beyond. The routes they used to drive their cattle were originally the Native American trails that the Spanish used as trade routes between their missions. Today, we build interstates across these ancient paths. When I look at Texas, all I see is diversity. Some people may think that everyone in Texas rides horses and were boots and cowboy hats. While we have probably all done these things at least once in our lives, it is important to realize the diversity that created this great state. To understand that every step you take has been taken by many generations of Texans before you. Hook 'em!
