Introduction to Texas History and Politics

Historical Sovereignty: The Six Flags over Texas

• The Concept of the Six Flags: Six distinct national flags have flown over the territory of Texas, representing the various nations that have claimed or ruled the land from early exploration to the present day.
• Spain (The First Flag):
  • Chronology: Spain was the first modern European nation to claim Texas, with historical roots dating as far back as $1519$.
  • Scope and Abandonment: Originally, Spanish Texas encompassed only a small portion of the current state’s boundaries. Claims were largely abandoned for a period after initial surveys failed to locate the fabled treasures and riches the explorers sought.
  • Return to Texas: In $1689$, following the discovery of French remains at Fort Saint Louis, Spain re-established its presence by building missions and presidios (fortified military outposts) in the eastern territory.
  • The Tejanos: The early Spanish settlers in this region are known as Tejanos.
• France (The Second Flag):
  • Duration and Claims: France brought its flag to the territory briefly, claiming the Mississippi River system and portions of Spanish-claimed land in Mexico.
  • Fort Saint Louis: Established in $1685$ on the Texas coast, the settlement was short-lived and was destroyed by Karankawa Indians.
• The Republic of Mexico (The Third Flag):
  • Independence: Following the deterioration of Spanish–Mexican relations, Mexico declared independence from Spain in $1821$.
  • The Empressario System: The Mexican government used a system involving Empresarios, individuals who contracted with the government to recruit new settlers to Texas in exchange for land claims.
  • The Anglo Presence: "Anglos" refers to non-Hispanic white North Americans of European descent, typically English-speaking, who began settling in Texas in large numbers following the U.S. purchase of the Louisiana Territory in $1803$.
• The Republic of Texas (The Fourth Flag):
  • Road to Revolution: Revolt against Mexican rule began in $1835$ due to decrees that limited the economic freedom and property rights of Anglo settlers.
  • Declaration of Independence: On March 2, $1836$, the provisional government officially declared Texas independent.
  • The Battle of Gonzales: In late $1835$, a conflict over a small six-pound cannon in Gonzales, Texas, gave rise to the famous "Come and Take It" flag featuring a lone star and a cannon.
  • War with Mexico: General Sam Houston led the Texas Army in a strategic retreat from Santa Anna for several weeks to regroup. The war ended when Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco, recognizing Texas's independence.
  • Financial and Political Struggles ($1836$–$1845$): The new republic was burdened by heavy debt and poor infrastructure. Governing was complicated by border disputes with Mexico and hostilities with Native Americans. Land deals were the primary tool for survival, exemplified by the Adelsverein Society, which promoted German immigration in the 1840s.
• The United States of America (The Fifth Flag):
  • Statehood: Driven by the concept of Manifest Destiny (the vision of a U.S. stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific), Texas was annexed in $1845$ as the $28^{th}$ state.
  • Terms of Annexation: Texas uniquely retained its public lands and its public debt. The U.S. had to purchase land intended for federal designation. The final state boundaries were established via the Compromise of 1850.
  • Mexican–American War ($1846$–$1848$): Mexico's objection to annexation led to war. The U.S. victory and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (and the Gadsden Purchase) gave the U.S. control of Texas, California, and the intervening territories.
• The Confederate States of America (The Sixth Flag):
  • Secession: By $1860$, the Texas economy was deeply tied to the Southern slave system. These ties caused Texas to secede from the Union in $1861$ and join the Confederacy.

Civil War and the Reconstruction Era

• Texas in the Civil War:
  • Texas was relatively fortunate compared to other Confederate states due to its geography.
  • $90,000$ Texans served in the war.
  • Battle of Galveston ($1863$): Confederate land forces recaptured Galveston while naval forces captured the USRC Harriet Lane, despite the Confederates being heavily outnumbered and losing the CS Neptune.
  • International Relations: France's Napoleon III was pro-Confederate but did not provide the desperate funds needed by the South.
• Geographic Barriers and Frontier Conflict:
  • The Balcones Escarpment served as a natural barrier to westward expansion. The arid, treeless plains to the west did not support the wood-and-water plantation culture of the South.
  • During the war, U.S. forts were abandoned, allowing Native American groups to re-emerge as a dominant force in the west.
• Reconstruction ($1865$–$1874$):
  • Goals: Restore law and order, readmit Southern states, and dismantle slavery.
  • Ideological Clash: Tension between Confederate sympathizers and Union supporters. The term "Carpetbagger" was coined for those from the North engaging in Southern politics.
  • Constitutional Changes:
    • Constitution of $1866$: Abolished slavery and nullified secession.
    • Constitution of $1869$ ("Carpetbagger’s Constitution"): Granted voting rights to African Americans while stripping them from former Confederate participants. Texas rejoined the Union in $1870$.
    • Constitution of $1876$: Following the return of Southern Democrats to power in $1874$, this constitution was adopted to reflect deep distrust of government and an emphasis on individual liberty. It remains the state’s fundamental law today, despite hundreds of amendments.

Economic Transformation and Urbanization

• Early Land-Based Economy:
  • Wealth was originally derived from land use. Early settlers were lured by the promise of a sitio or legua (approx. $4,428$ acres).
  • Historic Commodities: Cotton dominated from the 1820s to the 1860s. Following the Civil War, cattle became the economic mainstay, creating the "cowboy culture."
• The Oil Era:
  • The discovery of the Spindletop oil field near Beaumont in $1901$ transformed the state from an agricultural to an industrial society.
  • Urbanization Shift:
    • $1900$: Less than $20\%$ of Texans lived in urban areas.
    • $1950$: $63\%$ lived in urban areas.
    • $1990$: More than $80\%$ lived in urban areas.
    • Present: Less than $15\%$ of Texans live in rural areas.
• Modern Economic Diversification:
  • Reliance on oil led to a severe recession in the mid-1980s when prices declined, prompting a transition to high-tech, trade (post-NAFTA), and research.
  • Top Exports ($2022$ values):
    • Chemical manufacturing: $63.7$ billion.
    • Computer and electronic product manufacturing: $55.9$ billion.
    • Transportation equipment manufacturing: $26.3$ billion.
    • Machinery manufacturing: $25.2$ billion.
  • Service Industry: Now the dominant sector, fueled by proximity to Mexico, population growth (increased demand for healthcare and education), and leisure/hospitality.
• Economic Regions:
  • East Texas (Piney Woods): Timber is the primary activity.
  • Plains Region: Historically agriculture and ranching; now diversifying.
  • Gulf Coast: Petrochemicals, shipping, and high-tech.
  • Border/Rio Grande Valley: Citrus fruit and vegetable production.
  • Metroplex (DFW): Financial center, aerospace, and banking.
  • Central Corridor: High-tech and military bases, home to three large universities.

Political Evolution: From One Party to Another

• Democratic Dominance: The Democratic Party ruled for nearly $100$ years (late $1800s$ to mid-1970s). "Yellow Dog Democrats" were those who voted strictly for Democrats regardless of the candidate.
• The Republican Shift:
  • Conservatives became disenchanted with the national Democratic Party’s expanding government role and the Civil Rights movement.
  • By $2002$, Republicans held a statewide majority and controlled the Texas House for the first time.
  • Redistricting has helped maintain Republican dominance in both state and federal races.
• Recent Trends:
  • Reaction to the Obama presidency caused a surge in social and small-government conservatives.
  • In $2020$, Trump won Texas by a smaller margin ($10$ points lower than previous), but John Cornyn carried the Senate seat by nearly $10$ points.
  • The $2022$ redistricting added two federal seats (the $37^{th}$ and $38^{th}$).

Demographics and Social Challenges

• Population Growth:
  • Texas is the $2^{nd}$ most populous state.
  • Between $2010$ and $2023$, the population increased by approximately $5.4$ million residents.
  • Migration Trends ($2022$): Large numbers of people are moving to Texas from California ($102,422$ residents), Florida ($41,747$), and New York ($30,890$).
• Majority-Minority Status:
  • Since $2004$, Texas has been "majority-minority."
  • Ethnic Composition ($2023$): Non-Hispanic whites ($39.8\%$), Hispanics (major political/economic force), African Americans ($12.8\%$), and Asian Americans ($5.7\%$).
  • Hispanic Economic Impact: National Latino GDP in $2023$ was approx. $3.3$ trillion. In Texas, $59,000$ Hispanic-owned businesses generate over $600,000$ jobs.
• Religion and Politics:
  • $82\%$ of Texans affiliate with a religion; $3$ in $4$ are Christian.
  • Political Correlation:
    • Evangelical Protestants: Approx. $59\%$ Republican.
    • Historically Black Protestants: Approx. $74\%$ Democratic.
    • Catholics: Approx. $45\%$ Democratic vs. $30\%$ Republican.
• Current Challenges:
  • Incomes are slightly lower than the national mean; poverty rates are higher.
  • Education lags behind the national average for high school and bachelor's degree completion.
  • Immigration Issues: Governor Greg Abbott notoriously bussed over $80,000$ unauthorized migrants to cities like NYC and D.C. in response to surges during the Biden administration.
  • Hate Crimes: Motivation is primarily race and ethnicity, but there is a sharp rise in anti-Semitic and religious-motivated incidents.

Texas Political Culture

• Defining Political Culture: The attitudes, values, and beliefs that a community holds regarding the role of government.
• Daniel J. Elazar’s Typology:
  • Moralistic: Government is a positive force for the common good (found in Northern/Western states).
  • Individualistic: Government should benefit individuals (found in Midwestern states).
  • Traditionalistic: Government maintains the existing social order for a small elite (found in old Confederate states).
• Texas’s Classification: Texas is a mix of Traditionalistic and Individualistic cultures.
  • Government is limited.
  • Power is divided among many elected officials (plural executive).
  • Business regulation is minimal.
• Dominant Ideologies:
  • Classical Liberalism: Focuses on individual rights and free markets.
  • Social Conservatism: Focuses on traditional family values and opposition to abortion.
  • Populism: Advocacy for small businesses and farmers against large corporations.
  • Progressivism (Minority View): Sees government as a potent force for regulation and social welfare.