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Why did Moses Austin come to Texas?

Moses Austin was a primary influence in the growth of the American lead industry. After facing various economic ups and downs that eventually resulted in bankruptcy, Moses decided to pursue his idea for the Spanish Texas colony. His first request was refused by the governor of San Antonio, but with the help of an acquaintance and persistence, he later received approval.

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How can you survive Advanced Placement U.S. History?

Students need to plan essay answers before starting to write. Planning allows students to consider the evidence necessary to support their positions and then incorporate that evidence into their essays. For multiple choice questions, remember that there is no penalty for guessing; by eliminating incorrect answer choices and guessing from those answers left over, students maximize their chances of having the highest exam score possible.

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What is the significance of the Battle of Gettysburg?

After achieving a major victory over northern forces in Chancellorsville, Va, General Lee decided to push his troops north. His strategy was two fold. First, if he could establish a stronghold in a northern state, he thought he could push his army further into other northern states. Second, since most of the northern troops were actually in the south at the time, he felt that if he could get ahead of the northern troops with a victory in the north and keep them at bay while he dispersed his troops throughout the north. Some northern troops heard of Lee's plan, however, and were able to es..

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How did the steam engine make life easier?

The steam engine was the basis for rapid expansion of the railroad system, speeding up transportation of people and goods. Distribution of goods became more dependable, and merchants were able to order goods knowing that they would arrive when promised to be sold to waiting customers.\nThe engine also introduced people to the possibilities of travel both by rail and ship by making it swift and affordable. It also fueled the development of more-efficient manufacturing processes, which lowered the cost of goods, making them more readily available and affordable. In addition to improving manufact..

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What was the official name of the Titanic?

RMS Titanic met its fate five days after it left Southampton, United Kingdom, on April 10, 1912. It was the ship’s maiden voyage, and it was set to carry 2,224 passengers and crew to New York City. The Titanic, which is mythological in origin and means "gigantic," was the second of three Olympic-class ocean liners built for White Star Lines.

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What did George Washington warn against in his farewell address?

Washington's Farewell Address was given on September 17, 1796. The first president believed that taking sides among other nations could prove risky for the United States and that aligning too much with or against other nations diverted his nation's interests from important matters at home. Many American citizens today cite Washington's advice to promote isolationism.

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What are some facts about Leif Eriksson?

Norwegian King Olaf I Tryggvason commissioned Eriksson to travel to Greenland from Norway in order to spread Christianity to settlers there. Eriksson made it to Greenland, however, according to historical accounts, his ship went off course on the route home. It is believed that Eriksson landed on what is now Nova Scotia. Eriksson called the new land Vinland, perhaps because of the wild grapes he and his crew saw growing there. Eriksson never colonized the area and he left at the end of winter and never returned. He concentrated his efforts on spreading Christianity throughout Greenland. His mo..

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Where did George Washington go to school?

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. While growing up on his father's plantation, he learned how to grow tobacco and surveying. After the death of his father when Washington was 11, he grew up with his half-brother, Lawrence, and his wife Anne Fairfax. Anne taught Washington about colonial culture. When George Washington was 20 years old, his half-brother died and Washington inherited the Mount Vernon estate.

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What volcano wiped out Pompeii?

That eruption of Mount Vesuvius is considered one of the most catastrophic eruptions in human history due to its speed, power and length. The volcano ejected approximately 1.5 million tons of volcanic material per second over a 24-hour period. It spewed deadly gas and ash up to 20 miles high, destroying both Pompeii and Herculaneum. Pliny the Younger provided a detailed account of his uncle Pliny the Elder’s attempt to rescue victims of the eruption, during which his uncle died. He described the eruption as a tree that split off into branches, and he described seeing sheets of fire on the mo..

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How many casualties were there on D-Day?

The scale of the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 created an impossible task for military leaders to track the exact number of casualties. A force of 150,000 troops landed on the beaches of Normandy and was tasked with navigating 200 yards of open ground under heavy German fire. The troops were assisted by strong naval and air attacks prior to the landing in an attempt to weaken German forces. Allied forces defeated German coastal defenses establishing a foothold in Western Europe.

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