Texas TEKS 4.12.B
The Standard
compare characteristics of the Spanish colonial government and the early Mexican governments in Texas.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify who held power, how leaders were chosen, and how people in Texas were represented under Spanish and Mexican rule. They sort similarities and differences and explain how Mexican government changed over time.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that Spain ruled Texas through a king and appointed colonial officials. The student can contrast that structure with Mexico's republic, including Coahuila y Tejas, elected representation, and the later move toward central control.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may assume Mexican independence immediately gave every Texan equal voting rights or full local control. They may treat Mexican rule as one system, missing the shift from the federal Constitution of 1824 to centralist rule. Some confuse missions with government offices.
How to Assess It
- On an exit ticket, have students label each feature Spanish, Mexican, or both: king, appointed governors, federal republic, Coahuila y Tejas, distant capital, elected representatives. Then write one comparison sentence.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs six leader and institution cards to place on a Spanish, Mexican, or Both floor mat, then require evidence for each choice.
Ask students to write: How did the move from Spanish rule to Mexican rule change who made decisions for people in Texas?
Play Government Clue by reading a feature aloud while teams hold up Spain, Mexico, or Both cards.
Show a city council election notice, then compare how that leader is chosen with a Spanish governor and a Mexican representative.
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Printable 4.12.B Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 7.2.D
identify the individuals, issues, and events related to Mexico becoming an independent nation and its impact on Texas, including Father Miguel Hidalgo, Texas in...
- 4.2.C
explain when, where, and why the Spanish established settlements and Catholic missions in Texas as well as important individuals;
- 7.2.F
contrast Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo purposes for and methods of settlement in Texas.
- 4.12
Government. The student understands how people organized governments in different ways during the early development of Texas. The student is expected to:
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