After Texas joined the United States in 1845, Texas began to form its own identity centered on the rise of the Texas cattle industry and the growing legend of the Texas cowboy. Through vivid images, maps, easy-to-read text, and intriguing facts, this book teaches readers about important events in Texas history such as the Civil War, the Battle of Fort Sumter, and Reconstruction. Readers will also learn about Texas cowboys, cattle trade, and what cowboy life was like in the early days of Texas history. Text features like a table of contents, glossary, and index are included to help readers better understand the content and vocabulary. This book also includes an in-class activity that encourages students to think about African Americans joining the U.S. Army after the Civil War.