Provides information on the history of Texas, from its earliest days as a frontier province of Spain and Mexico, through its tranformation into its own nation, to its current status as a U.S. state.
Provides a detailed account of the Louisana Purchse, how it almost doubled the size of the United States, and led to a period of westward expansion, and explains how it affected the people and places along the way.
Presents a study of California and the Southwest, and discusses Spanish and Mexican occupation of the territory, the Gold Rush, and statehood for California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Discusses the Homestead Act under which the U.S. government gave away millions of acres of free land during the nineteenth century, and examines the challenges of life for pioneers in the American West.
Traces the history of cattle ranching in the United States, from the introduction of cattle to the new world, to the first Spanish cowboys--called Vaqueros--to the cattle drives of the early Anglo ranchers.
Looks at what life was like for pioneers traveling with wagon trains to the American West, and features maps and descriptions of several of the best-known trails, including the Santa Fe, Oregon, Mormon, and California.
