Introduction
The following links come from all over the World Wide Web and represent a variety of aspects related to German Texans.  You may complete the following Internet activities alone or by working in pairs. You will complete all of the activities in this study of the German Texans.
 

The purpose of this Web page is to give you a sampling of some of the aspects related to the German Texans. Each of the activities asks you to make a personal commitment to what you like, believe, or feel about a topic. Good luck and have fun!

Activity 1:

1.  What attracted many Germans to come to Texas and why did they want to leave Germany?
 
 

2.  Name five of the first German settlements in Texas.
 
 

3.  Give two reasons why German emigration slowed.
 
 

4.  How did the tradition of the Easter Fires begin?
 
 

5.  What is meant by "Latin Settlements"?
 
 

Indianola: The Dream City of the Gulf
 http://www.indianolabulletin.com/

Activity 2:

1.  How was the port of Indianola used?
 
 

2.  What two other names was Indianola called?
 
 

3.  How was Indianola destroyed?
 
 

A Brief History of New Braunfels, Texas
 http://www.nbcham.org/visitor_info/index.htm

Activity 3:

1.  What two men were instrumental in helping Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels begin the settlement of New Braunfels?
 
 

2.  With whom did Prince Carl enter into an agreement to purchase 1,265 acres of land and what was the sum of this land?
 
 

3.  When was New Braunfels founded?
 
 

4.  Name five ways in which the founding of New Braunfels had a major impact on the area.
 
 

5.  What is the last name of the elementary school attended by Frau Hanes in first grade?
 
 

A Brief History Of Fredericksburg
 http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/fredhist.htm

Activity 4:

1.  What was the Adelsverein?
 
 

2.  When was Fredericksburg founded?
 
 

3.  Who is credited with founding the city of Fredericksburg?
 
 

4.  What were some of the problems that the colonists from Germany experienced as they traveled from Indianola to Central Texas?
 
 

More about Fredericksburg
 http://www.spacitytexas.com/background.htm

Activity 5:

1.  Why were the German immigrants welcome in Texas?
 
 

2.  How was the county named in which Fredericksburg is located?
 
 

3.  Why were people attracted to Sisterdale?
 
 

4.  Name five events or festivals that take place in present-day Fredericksburg.
 
 

5.  After the Germans, what two groups came to Fredericksburg?
 

ADDITIONAL SITES TO RESEARCH

GENERAL INFORMATION
http://www.hal-pc.org/~dcrane/txgenweb

GENERAL INFORMATION ON GERMAN-AMERICANS
http://userweb.piasanet.com/wigger/default.htm

GERMAN SAN ANTONIO
http://home.flash.net/~germansa

GERMANS IN THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/5933

COMAL COUNTY, TEXAS
http://www.rootsweb.com/~txcomal

Conclusion

You have had the opportunity to explore some important aspects of German Texans.  There are many more interesting facts to be found.  Good luck and have fun researching and reporting on more about German Texans and German Americans.
 

Back to the Top
 

Works Cited
www.texancultures.utsa.edu
www.indianolabulletin.com
www.nbcham.org/visitor_info/index.htm
www.fredericksburg-texas.com
www.spacitytexas.com