Chapter 01: The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

Flashcards covering Texas political culture, geography, economy, demographics, major institutions, and Confederate monument debates from Chapter 01.

What is a clear example of a situation where federal and Texas state governments disagree on policy, as discussed in the notes?

Operation Lone Star illustrates how the federal and state governments can clash on policy.

How is Texas political culture categorized, according to the notes?

Texas is described as having a traditionalistic, individualistic political culture.

Which party dominated Texas for more than a century, and when did Republicans gain control?

The Democratic Party dominated for over 100 years; Republicans gained control after the 2002 redistricting.

What factors have undercut Texas’s traditional provincialism?

Urbanization, increasing influence of racial and ethnic minorities, more women and LGBTQ people in politics, and Texas’s rising global economic importance.

Who are major players in Texas politics, in terms of influence and resources?

Business interests; they are major players in campaigns and lobbying.

What geographic fact about Texas helps shape its political dynamics?

Texas is a very large state (second-largest) with privatization of public lands, influencing policy and governance.

In the Gulf Coastal Plains, which areas tend to vote Democratic vs. Republican?

Urban areas tend to be Democratic, while suburbs are more Republican.

What characterizes the Interior Lowlands in Texas?

An agricultural economy with a rural population, large cattle ranching, and conservative political values.

What are the main economic pillars of the Great Plains in Texas?

Agriculture (cotton, ranching) and petroleum, with historically conservative political values.

Which Texas region is a Democratic stronghold with a large Latino population and includes El Paso, McAllen, and Brownsville?

The Basin and Range Province.

What period saw the highest number of Confederate monuments dedicated in Texas?

1900–1939.

How many Confederate symbols were dedicated in Texas during 1900–1939?

93.

What are the three waves of economic change that shaped Texas’ economy?

1) Cotton and cattle; 2) Oil; 3) High-tech digital economy.

In the 1930 Census, what percent of Texas farmers were tenants, and what was notable about sharecroppers?

61% of Texas farmers were tenants; about one-third of those tenants were sharecroppers.

By 1987, what percent of Texas farmers were tenants?

12%.

What share of Texas farms and ranches were family farms, partnerships, or family-held corporations in 2019?

98.6%.

What share of U.S. cotton production comes from Texas?

About one-third of U.S. cotton.

When did oil take off in Texas, marking a major economic shift?

1901, with the Spindletop oilfield.

What regulatory body was created in 1890 to address railroad controversies, and what does it do today?

The Texas Railroad Commission; today it regulates oil and gas (not railroads) and is composed of three independently elected officials.

Which trade agreement replaced NAFTA, and in what year did it pass?

The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA) in 2018.

Which Texas cities are major hubs for the high-tech industry?

Houston, Dallas, and the Austin–San Antonio region.

Approximately how many active-duty, reserve, and civilian U.S. military personnel live in Texas?

About 150,000.

What is the name of the joint base that combines Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, and Randolph AFB?

Joint Base San Antonio.

Which Texas city is the largest by population?

Houston.

What was the 2020 population of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in terms of people?

About 7,637,337 people.

Which Texas city is the second-largest by population?

San Antonio.

What is the capital of Texas?

Austin.

What was Texas’ White population percentage in 2023?

39.8%.

What was Texas’ Latino population percentage in 2023?

40.2%.

Who was the first Mexican American elected to the Texas Senate in modern times, and in what year?

Henry B. Gonzalez, in 1956.

Which federal laws helped open Texas politics to Black voters in the 1960s?

The Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965); related measures included the 24th Amendment (poll tax) and state rulings in 1966.

Who was the first Black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas, and when?

Barbara Jordan, elected in 1972.

How many Asian Americans were living in Texas around 2020, and what percent of the state’s population did that represent?

Over 1.5 million Asian Americans, about 5.2% of the population.

What is the projected Latino share of Texas population by 2050?

About 43%.

What was Texas’ White share in 1950, and how does that compare to 2023?

White share was about 74% in 1950; 39.8% in 2023.

What city became the center of medical research in Texas according to the notes?

Houston (Texas Medical Center).

Which major Texas cities are highlighted as centers of metropolitan growth and where most population growth is expected to occur?

Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.

What does the 2023 race and ethnicity breakdown say about White, Black, Latino, and Asian shares in Texas?

White about 39.8%, Black about 13.4%, Latino about 40.2%, Asian about 5.7% (with 2.3% multiple races).

Which two Midwest states were noted as experiencing population declines, contrasting with Texas growth?

Ohio and Pennsylvania.

How many Confederate memorials or symbols were identified in Texas public spaces as of 2022?

Approximately 242.

When was the Children of the Confederacy Creed monument removed from the Texas Capitol corridor?

2019.

Who holds the authority to remove Confederate monuments on state property as of 2019?

The legislature, the Texas Historical Commission, the State Preservation Board, and appropriate county, city, and school boards.