Texas Govt Exam 1

Monarchy

Rule by one; strong leadership, risk of tyranny.

Dictatorship

Rule by one; strong leadership, risk of tyranny.

Aristocracy

Rule by few; stable but elite-controlled.

Oligarchy

Rule by few; stable but elite-controlled.

Democracy

Rule by many; people's input, slower decisions.

Radicalism of the American Revolution

A principle emphasizing democracy.

Republicanism

Citizens rule through elected representatives.

Classical liberalism

Emphasizes natural rights, limited government, consent of the governed, and the right to revolt against tyranny.

Republic

Government based on representation; comes from the people and must be accountable to them.

Spanish Empire in Texas

Built empire in the Western Hemisphere to acquire wealth & convert natives.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 acquisition by Thomas Jefferson from France, leading to border disputes.

Adams-Onís Treaty

1819 treaty that defined U.S.-Spanish border.

Empresario System

Mexico gave contracts to empresarios like Stephen F. Austin to settle Texas.

Santa Anna

Seen as a tyrant; involved in the Texas Revolution.

Texas Revolution

1836 conflict leading to Texas independence.

Alamo

Heroic/martyr moment in the Texas Revolution.

San Jacinto

Battle where Sam Houston defeats Santa Anna.

Republic of Texas

1836-45 government led by Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar.

Mexican War

1846-48 war ending with Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo

Ends the Mexican War; Mexico cedes large territories.

Reconstruction

Period after the Civil War marked by resentment from ex-Confederates.

Populists

Farmers' uprising advocating for their interests.

Jim Hogg

Created Texas Railroad Commission to regulate railroads.

Economic Change

Oil industry creates wealth; federal investments modernize Texas economy.

Texas Political Culture

A mix of traditionalistic and individualistic values.

Moralistic / Communitarian

General welfare > self-interest. Citizens pitch in; less suspicious of government. Accept higher taxes for public services.

Individualistic

Rugged individualism, self-reliance. Limited government, low taxes/regulation. Low voter participation; competition among interests. More suspicious of government.

Traditionalistic

Old Spain/Old South model; society = natural hierarchy. Elite dominance; government maintains status quo. Low participation.

George Parr & Duval County

Patron-client network example.

Unitary System

Only national government authorized.

Confederal System

States hold power, share sovereignty with weak national government (U.S. under Articles of Confederation).

Federal System

Stronger national government but shared power.

Pros of Federalism

State identity & flexibility. States experiment with policies (gun laws, abortion, etc.).

Cons of Federalism

Delicate/fragile, prone to breakdown. Harder to impose uniformity.

10th Amendment

Powers not delegated to U.S. are reserved to the states.

Supreme Law of the Land

U.S. Constitution overrides state laws.

Article I Section 8

Lists expressed powers.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Grants implied powers, expanding federal power.

Article VI (Supremacy Clause)

Federal laws & Constitution > state laws.

Texas v. White (1869)

Confederate secession ruled illegal.

Dual Federalism

State & federal governments separate.

Cooperative Federalism

State & federal governments intertwined.

Current Areas of Conflict

Immigration policy, Affordable Care Act, Same-sex marriage.

Texas Constitutions (7)

1827: Coahuila y Tejas (first TX constitution). 1836: Republic of Texas. 1845: First under U.S.; included Treasurer & Comptroller of Public Accounts; Jacksonian protection of debtors. 1861: Confederate State constitution. 1866: Reconstruction (Phase 1). 1869: Reconstruction; centralized power (E.J. Davis: 4-year governor term, many appointments, state police). Not legitimate to many Texans. 1876: Current constitution; Jacksonian + Reconstruction legacy.

Statutory Constitution

Long, detailed to limit interpretation & prevent another E.J. Davis.

Texas Constitution Features

Art. I: Bill of Rights (priority). Art. III: Legislature meets every 2 years. Art. IV: Executive (2-year term). Art. V: Courts (all judges elected). Art. X: Railroads (monopolies banned).

Key People

Sam Houston: Defeats Santa Anna; TX president; supports annexation; opposes slavery. Mirabeau Lamar: Texas nationalist; wanted independence. James K. Polk: Manifest Destiny. E.J. Davis: Unionist governor during Reconstruction. Jim Hogg: Texas Railroad Commission. Pa & Ma Ferguson: corruption/impeachment. Ross Sterling: tackled oil issues. George Parr: patron-client network in Duval County.