🤠Texas History Unit 4 – Late 19th Century Texas

Key Events and Timeline

• Reconstruction in Texas (1865-1874) aimed to rebuild the state and reintegrate it into the Union following the Civil War
  • Juneteenth (June 19, 1865) marked the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas, freeing slaves
  • Texas was readmitted to the Union in 1870 after ratifying the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
• Cattle drives and the rise of the cowboy culture (1866-1890s) became iconic symbols of Texas
  • Chisholm Trail (1867) and Goodnight-Loving Trail (1866) were major routes for driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas
• Fence Cutting Wars (1883-1884) erupted as a conflict between farmers and ranchers over land use and property rights
• Spindletop oil discovery (1901) near Beaumont triggered the Texas oil boom and transformed the state's economy

Political Landscape

• Reconstruction governments in Texas were marked by corruption and political instability
  • Edmund J. Davis, a Radical Republican, served as governor from 1870 to 1874
  • Democrats regained control of the state government in 1874, ushering in the "Redeemer" period
• Populist movement gained traction in the 1890s, advocating for farmers' rights and economic reforms
  • James S. Hogg, a progressive Democrat, served as governor from 1891 to 1895 and implemented anti-monopoly and pro-labor policies
• Disfranchisement of African Americans through poll taxes, literacy tests, and white primaries limited their political participation

Economic Developments

• Agriculture remained a key component of the Texas economy, with cotton, corn, and wheat as major crops
  • Sharecropping and tenant farming systems emerged after the Civil War, perpetuating economic inequality
• Cattle industry boomed in the late 19th century, with Texas becoming a major supplier of beef to the nation
  • Introduction of barbed wire (1874) and windmills helped ranchers manage their herds and access water
• Lumber industry grew in East Texas, with the longleaf pine forests attracting timber companies
• Oil discovery at Spindletop (1901) marked the beginning of the Texas oil boom, attracting investments and industries

Social and Cultural Changes

• Segregation and racial discrimination were entrenched in Texas society through Jim Crow laws
  • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court decision upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine
• Cowboy culture and cattle drives contributed to the mythologizing of the American West
  • Trail drives, roundups, and cattle towns like Abilene and Dodge City became iconic images
• Education expanded with the establishment of public schools and universities
  • University of Texas at Austin founded in 1883
  • Prairie View A&M University, a historically black university, founded in 1876
• Women's roles began to change, with increased participation in education and reform movements
  • Women's clubs and organizations advocated for social and political reforms

Immigration and Demographics

• German, Czech, and Polish immigrants settled in Central Texas, establishing farming communities
  • New Braunfels (1845) and Fredericksburg (1846) were founded by German immigrants
• Mexican Americans faced discrimination and loss of land following the Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War
  • Tejanos fought to maintain their land grants and cultural identity
• African American population increased during the Great Migration (1910s-1930s), as many moved from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities

Technological Advancements

• Railroads expanded rapidly in the late 19th century, connecting Texas cities and facilitating trade
  • Houston and Texas Central Railway (1856) and Texas and Pacific Railway (1871) were major lines
• Barbed wire, invented by Joseph Glidden in 1874, revolutionized fencing and land management in Texas
  • Allowed ranchers to control their herds and protect their land from encroachment
• Windmills, such as the American Wind Engine Company's "Railroad Mills," provided water for livestock and irrigation
• Telegraph lines and telephone service improved communication across the state

Notable Figures

• Sam Houston, hero of the Texas Revolution and first president of the Republic of Texas, served as governor and U.S. Senator
• Juan Seguín, Tejano leader who fought in the Texas Revolution and served in the Republic of Texas government
• Richard King and Mifflin Kenedy, ranchers who established the King Ranch, one of the largest ranches in the world
• Quanah Parker, Comanche chief who led resistance against white settlement and later adapted to reservation life
  • Advocated for Native American rights and cultural preservation
• James Stephen Hogg, progressive governor who fought against corporate monopolies and supported public education

Legacy and Impact

• Texas' frontier history and cowboy culture have become iconic symbols of the American West
  • Popularized through literature, art, and film (e.g., Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove")
• Oil industry has shaped Texas' economy and politics, making it a major player in the global energy market
• Civil rights movements in the 20th century challenged segregation and discrimination, leading to social and political changes
  • Sweatt v. Painter (1950) and Hernandez v. Texas (1954) were landmark Supreme Court cases
• Texas has become known for its diverse population, with significant African American, Hispanic, and Asian communities
  • Reflects the state's complex history of immigration, settlement, and cultural exchange