Like many states in the south and west, Texas has an interesting early American past that begins with Native American settlement followed by Spanish colonization. It's also a state that was an independent nation before being admitted to the United States. Today we explore Texas’ intriguing early American history with Andrew Torget, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of North Texas and author of Seeds of Empire: Cotton, Slavery, and the Transformation of the Texas Borderlands, 1800-1850. Show Notes: http://www.benfranklinsworld.com/115   Sponsor Links Cornell University Press Episode 046: Ken Miller, Dangerous Guests Episode 047: Emily Conroy-Krutz, Christian Imperialism   Complementary Episodes Episode 067: John Ryan Fischer, Environmental History of Early California & Hawaii Episode 075: Rinker Buck, The Oregon Trail Episode 090: Caitlin Fitz, Age of Revolutions     Helpful Show Links Ben Franklin's World Facebook Page Join the Ben Franklin's World Community Sign-up for the Franklin Gazette Newsletter Ben Franklin's World iOS App Ben Franklin's World Android App *Books purchased through this link will help support the production of Ben Franklin's World.