Texas at Mid Century: Detailed Notes

WWII and Population Growth

  • Pearl Harbor and War Declaration:
    • Dec 7, 1941: Attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan.
    • Tom Connelly introduced a bill the following day to declare war on Japan.
  • Selective Service Act of 1940:
    • Instituted the draft.
  • Population Growth:
    • Texas population increased significantly from 6.4 million in 1940 to 7.1 million in 1950, and reached 9.6 million by 1960.
    • Increase in urban population from 62.7% in 1945 to 75% by 1960.

Enlistment and Military Contributions

  • Military Service:
    • 750,000 Texans served in WWII, including about 12,000 women.
    • By Aug 1945, 36 Texans had received the Medal of Honor.
    • Notably decorated individuals include Audie Murphy and Samuel Dealy.
    • Eisenhower (born in Denison) and Chester Nimitz (born in Fredericksburg) were significant figures from Texas.
  • Casualties:
    • Approximately 23,000 Texans died in WWII.
  • Military Training:
    • 1.25 million troops were trained across 15 Texas army posts.
    • Key training locations included Carswell Field in Fort Worth, Randolph Field in San Antonio, and WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) locations in Sweetwater.

War Industry and Economic Impact

  • War Production:
    • Major factories transitioned to war production, notably in Dallas-Fort Worth (airplanes), Beaumont-Port Arthur, and Houston (shipyards).
  • Civilians' Contributions:
    • Civilians engaged in scrap metal drives, purchased war bonds, planted victory gardens, and rationed resources.
    • The National Office of Price Administration fixed rents and prices to manage wartime economy.

Political Climate and Prosperity

  • Governance:
    • Coke Stevenson was elected governor in 1940, 42, and 44, leading to a surplus from a previous debt.
  • Economic Prosperity:
    • Post-war Texas experienced significant economic recovery and growth due to military production.
    • Crude oil production expanded from 755 million barrels in 1945 to 1.5 billion by 1955, with Texas ports handling 80% of the products.

Industrial and Infrastructure Development

  • Rise in Employment:
    • Government employment increased from below 3% before 1940 to over 9% by 1960, boosted by military bases and the defense industry.
  • Transportation Growth:
    • From 1941 to 1963, the Texas highway system expanded significantly, tripling to more than 60,000 miles.
    • The number of cars registered surged from 2 million in 1945 to over 5 million by 1962, though railroads experienced limited expansion.

Social Changes and Demographics

  • Population Age:
    • In 1960, median age was 27 (compared to national average of 29).
    • The median income varied significantly among demographic groups:
    • Urban white families: $5,693
    • Rural white non-farm: $4,110
    • Rural farm: $3,201
    • Black families: $2,915 (urban), $1,684 (non-farm), $1,430 (farm)
    • Mexican Texans: $980.

Labor and Agricultural Trends

  • Unions:
    • Union membership rose from 110,000 in 1939 to nearly 400,000 by 1963.
  • Farming Landscape:
    • Number of farms decreased to 227,000 by 1960, while farm sizes increased.
    • Farmers spent significant amounts on pesticides and fertilizers.

Advances in Communication and Education

  • Communication Advances:
    • By 1960, 98% of Texans had electricity and radio/TV stations burgeoned.
    • The first TV station, WBAP, was established in Fort Worth in 1958, with other cities launching respective broadcasts.
  • Public Education:
    • The Gilman-Aiken Act of 1949 strengthened public education standards, leading to a notable increase in school enrollments post-war.

Civil Rights Developments

  • Legal Gains for Minorities:
    • Landmark cases like Delgado v. Bastrop and Hernandez v. Texas laid foundation for desegregation and inclusion in juries.
  • Education Integration:
    • Legal integration of schools took place by 1960, though actual integration lagged.

Leisure, Sports, and Cultural Flourishing

  • Recreational Growth:
    • Post-war tourism surged with state parks attracting millions.
  • Sports Development:
    • Significant establishment of football and other sports teams, including the NFL and Major League Baseball franchises like the Houston Astros.
  • Cultural Contributions:
    • Flourishing in music (country western, jazz), literature, and the arts; notable figures include Larry McMurtry, and significant infrastructure for symphonic and opera performances developed across the state.