Lone Star Politics — Chapter 1 Introduction Notes

Chapter 1 Introduction

  • Lone Star Politics overview: Texas politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries driven by reform movements and resource-driven economic change.

    • Hogg advocates for a railroad commission to regulate railroads; this becomes central to his gubernatorial campaign.
    • Railroads label Hogg as "communistic." Despite opposition, his reforms gain popularity and help spark reform in Texas.
    • Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) heralded as a tool for fair competition but in practice often protected Texas-based businesses and restricted out-of-state railroads from international competition.

  • The rise of reform movements in Texas

    • Farmers organize the People’s Party (Populists) in response to Democratic inertia.
    • Populists advocate radical reforms including public ownership of railroads and seek Black voter support, shaking the political order.
    • After absorption into the Democratic Party, the Progressives pick up reform mantle, aiming to curb railroad power and address urban labor issues.
    • Progressive gubernatorial candidates win, but legislative power remains constrained; Governor Thomas Campbell (1906) struggles to push a progressive agenda through the legislature.
    • Insurance regulation: a 75% premium investment requirement in Texas shifts insurers’ behavior, benefiting Texas-based companies and driving foreign insurers out.

  • Prohibition and local politics

    • Prohibition becomes a major focus of the Texas Progressive Era; local option elections succeed in outlawing alcohol in many places.
    • In 1891, a prohibitionist constitutional amendment failed narrowly (votes: 237,393237{,}393 to 231,096231{,}096).
    • Prohibition becomes intertwined with racial tensions and the legacy of the Civil War in political rhetoric.
    • Governor Oscar Branch Colquitt (1912 reelection bid) clashes with the state textbook board over a photo of Abraham Lincoln, illustrating tensions over history and race; opponent William Ramsay uses southern nostalgia and beats Colquitt in the race partly by appealing to those sentiments.
    • Prohibition contributes to social conflict; alcohol is portrayed as a vice of Germans and Mexicans in some discourses.
    • Farmer Jim Ferguson emerges as a populist anti-Prohibition figure emphasizing tenants’ rents; his tenant-farmer law is deemed unconstitutional, yet he remains a hero to many small farmers.
    • Ferguson’s tenure includes controversial moves against the University of Texas (UT) leadership and personal-finance-related impeachment in 1917; Senate finds him guilty on several charges, leading to his removal from office.
    • Prohibition is enacted nationwide in practice by constitutional amendment in 1919–1920s, but enforcement is weak, permitting organized crime to profit from illicit alcohol.
    • Rum Row in Galveston becomes a hub for liquor smuggling during Prohibition, illustrating the cross-border challenges of enforcement.
    • Despite Prohibition, the right for women to vote (women’s suffrage) is debated; some opponents fear “Negro rule” and socialism, contributing to a mixed record on expanding suffrage.

  • Economic transformation: oil, lumber, and infrastructure

    • Texas oil history: sporadic drilling in the 1890s; Spindletop (1901) near Beaumont proves transformative, producing up to 100,000100{,}000 barrels/day and drawing investors into Texas.
    • By 1928, Texas leads the nation in oil production; the state provides about 20%20\% of the world’s oil supply at its peak.
    • Oil revenues profoundly affect state government finances: by 1929, oil revenue contributes nearly 6 000,0006\,000,000 to state accounts, reducing the reliance on other taxes.
    • Lumber grows as a major industry; by 1907 lumber output reaches 2.25 billion board feet before overcutting slows production.
    • Highway construction expands dramatically: Texas ends the 1920s with roughly 19,000 miles of highways.
    • Fruit cultivation expands in southern Texas, creating seasonal migrant labor needs and diversifying the economy.
    • The oil-and-cotton boom shapes economic and political power dynamics in Texas, setting the stage for later reform and modernization.

  • Great Depression and the New Deal in Texas

    • The Depression hits Texas hard, with overproduction in oil and cotton and a depressed economy.
    • Sterling Republican tough-on-costs era: defeated by Miriam "Ma" Ferguson (1934–1935), whose legacy includes populist leadership rather than progressive reform.
    • Wilbert Lee "Pappy" O’Daniel emerges as a populist figure with a radio presence; campaigns emphasize moralist themes—Ten Commandments as platform, Golden Rule as motto.
    • O’Daniel wins Democratic nomination easily and the general election with about 97%97\% of the vote; a colorful personality but limited legislative effectiveness.
    • O’Daniel’s move to national politics (special election for the U.S. Senate in 1941) pits him against Lyndon Johnson in a contested election for the seat vacated by Morris Sheppard.
    • O’Daniel’s tenure foreshadows the broader political realignment and the shifting role of Texas on the national stage.

  • Desegregation and civil rights era in Texas

    • Post-Brown v. Board of Education (1954) Texas resists desegregation; many schools remain segregated into the early 1970s until federal courts order desegregation.
    • 1954: Texas grants women the right to serve on juries; progress toward equality is slow.
    • The 1960s witness limited female representation in the Texas Legislature (only six women by that decade).
    • 1972: Texas voters approve an equal rights amendment to the state constitution; the legislature votes to ratify the federal ERA, but it fails to secure the required three-quarters of states nationally.
    • 1975: Liz Cockrell becomes mayor of San Antonio, the first woman to hold a non-minor Texas city’s mayoral post.

  • Republican shift and political realignment

    • The 1960s see the national realignment: John Tower (1961) elected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican—the first to win statewide office since Reconstruction.
    • Conservative Democrats begin shifting toward the Republican Party in state elections, a trend fueled by perceived viability of conservative policy and national party realignment (presidential republicanism).
    • John Connally’s career exemplifies cross-party alignment: Democrat governor who later serves in Nixon’s cabinet and runs for the presidency as a Republican.
    • The first post-Reconstruction Republican Texas governor is William P. Clements (1978) with an upset victory, signaling a turning point.
    • By 1996, Republicans hold all statewide offices, reflecting a long-term partisan realignment in Texas.

  • TEXAS LEGENDS: Bob Bullock

    • Bob Bullock’s career spans from early alignment with segregationists to liberal Democrat to Republican ally under George W. Bush.
    • Bullock’s biography highlights a complex path—covertly reforming through the comptroller’s office (1980s–1990s) and modernizing state accounting practices with computerization (state-of-the-art financial management).
    • He uses aggressive collection tactics (dramatic raids) and a powerful ability to project revenue estimates to influence policy and spending.
    • Personal controversies accompany political success: drinking, use of state aircraft for personal trips, and burned bridges with reporters.
    • Bullock ultimately becomes lieutenant governor in 1990 under Bush; his experience and connections help push bipartisan legislative achievements.
    • Legacy: Bullock’s blend of blunt politics and reform legacy helps Texas move forward; he is portrayed as a major Texas figure who transcends personal failings.
    • Critical Thinking prompt (in the learning material): Would a candidate like Bullock be electable today?
    • References: Dave McNeely and Jim Henderson, Bob Bullock: God Bless Texas (Austin: UT Press, 2008), 16; other pages cited.

  • DEFINING TEXAS: POLITICAL CULTURE

    • Concept: Political culture as shared values and beliefs shaping political life; Elazar identifies three subcultures.
    • Individualistic political culture: Government should stay out of private affairs, market-like governance, private initiative; distrustful of government; Texas is heavily influenced by this subculture.
    • Origin: Roots in frontier, scarcity of centralized government, emphasis on self-reliance and limited government.
    • Traditionalistic political culture: Government protects traditional elites and the social order; participation is skewed toward elites; low voter turnout; more common in East Texas with Old South influence.
    • Moralistic political culture: Government can be a positive force advancing the public good; higher citizen engagement; more common in New England and Midwest than in Texas; rare in Texas.
    • Elazar ties political culture to immigration patterns; German immigration left a lasting imprint, with a significant presence in Central Texas (New Braunfels, Fredericksburg) and a notable share of Texans with German ancestry.
    • Texas as a blend: Often described as a mix of traditionalistic and individualistic cultures; frontier history shapes insistence on gun rights, swift, punitive justice, and a resistance to centralized social services.
    • Frontier impact on law and order: Sparse law enforcement historically; Texas Rangers roaming; preference for swift, harsh justice and limited social welfare.
    • Regional variations within Texas: Deep South areas (racism and aristocratic legacy), central/northern areas (individualistic but wary of aristocracy), Rio Grande Valley (Tejano influence and self-reliance).
    • Laredo Washington’s Birthday Parade as symbol of cultural blending and localism; illustrates how Texas traditions accommodate diverse cultural influences.
    • The idea of a single Texas political culture is too simplistic; a “tall order” of diversity; analysis by Randolph B. Campbell suggests Texans prefer rugged individualism but not at the expense of social cohesion.
    • Consequence: Political culture shapes constitutions, institutions, and norms; ongoing reflection on how past legends influence future policy.

  • DEFINING TEXAS: TRADITION AND TRANSFORMATION

    • Population change and its impact are central to understanding Texas politics.
    • Texas is a population-changing state with a long tradition of immigration and change.
    • Historical note: The name Tejas derives from the Caddo word for “friend” (techas); many waves of people have arrived, bringing languages, cultures, and challenges.
    • Immigrant waves and population growth: Texas has grown from a handful of early European settlers to a population of 30,503,301 by 2023, up 4.7% since 2020 (approximate figures from the Texas Demographic Center).
    • Population growth highlights (Table/figure references):
    • 2020 to 2023 population: +3.993.99 million between 2010 and 2020; 2020 census and 2023 estimates show continued expansion.
    • Major growth counties: Harris, Tarrant, Bexar, Dallas, Collin, Travis.
    • Fastest-growing cities (2020): Georgetown, Leander; San Antonio had the greatest absolute gain.
    • Projections for 2050: up to 31.231.2 million minimum; up to 47.347.3 million with high migration, depending on migration levels.
    • Growth drivers: domestic migration dominates; from 2010–2020 natural increase contributed 48.3%48.3\%; domestic migration 31%31\%; international migration 20.7%20.7\%; 2020–2021 domestic migration accounted for 55% of growth, international 23%.
    • Hispanic growth: Hispanic population projected to rise from ~9.999.99–1010 million in 2010–2020 to around 19$–$20 million by 2050; Anglo population relatively flat around 11$–$12 million.
    • Racial/ethnic composition shifts: by 2050, Hispanics expected to be the majority demographic; Texas becomes a majority-minority state (a trend already seen by 2005).
    • Asian and African immigrant growth: since 2010, non-citizen immigrants from Latin America about 50%, from Asia about 30.5%, from Africa about 11%; overall immigration patterns show increasing diversity.
    • Implications: immigration and demographic change shape political behavior and policy priorities; Hispanic voters increasingly pivotal; potential shifts in party coalitions depend on policy issues.
    • Cautions: the term Hispanic covers diverse origins (including Spanish colonial lineages and recent Latin American immigrants); lumping these groups risks obscuring differences.

  • TEXANS AND RELIGION

    • Religious composition (2020 data): Evangelical Protestants ~23.5%23.5\%; Catholics ~20.3%20.3\%; mainline Protestants ~4.5%4.5\%; Black Protestants ~2.3%2.3\%; Latter-day Saints ~1.2%1.2\%; Muslims ~1.1%1.1\%; other faiths; unaffiliated ~ 45%~45\%.
    • Overall, 55.1% of Texans belong to some religion; ~45% unaffiliated or non-denominational; this group is fastest growing among younger people.
    • Religion’s role in politics and social life: strong Christian presence; religious affiliation ties into political culture and public policy.

  • TEXAS ECONOMY AND LABOR FORCE

    • Sector distribution: Educational services; health care; retail; manufacturing; construction; transportation/logistics; agriculture is relatively small in employment terms.
    • Industries and employment figures (Sixteen years and older):
    • Agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining: 320,643320{,}643 (2.2%)
    • Construction: 1,267,9961{,}267{,}996 (8.7%)
    • Manufacturing: 1,224,2721{,}224{,}272 (8.4%)
    • Wholesale trade: 349,792349{,}792 (2.4%)
    • Retail trade: 1,690,6611{,}690{,}661 (11.6%)
    • Transportation, warehousing, utilities: 991,077991{,}077 (6.8%)
    • Information: 233,195233{,}195 (1.6%)
    • Finance and insurance; real estate; etc.: 1,034,8011{,}034{,}801 (7.1%)
    • Professional, scientific, and management; admin; waste management: 3,075,2553{,}075{,}255 (21.1%)
    • Educational services; health care; social assistance: 3,772,1863{,}772{,}186 (26.0% or 21.3% depending on grouping)
    • Arts, entertainment, and recreation; accommodation and food services: 1,209,6971{,}209{,}697 (8.3%)
    • Other services: 775,?775{,}? (4.8%); Public administration: 699,584699{,}584 (4.8%)
    • 2023 gross state product (GSP): approx. 2.6exttrillion2.6 ext{ trillion}; Texas’ economy would rank around the 2nd- or 3rd-largest globally if it were a country (behind the United States, ahead of several nations).
    • Rural versus urban: around 80% of Texans live in 1,210 cities/suburbs; the rural share shrinks; the Texas Triangle (Houston–Austin–Dallas–Fort Worth) accounts for most population growth (about 88% of gains in that region between 2010–2020).
    • Commuting: average one-way commute time around 26.6 minutes; growing transportation and infrastructure needs as population expands.
    • Global competition: Texas must compete in a global economy; oil, tech, aerospace, and other industries shape policy and investment.
    • Comparative wealth measures: Texas lags behind the national average on several wealth indicators (per-capita income, home ownership, poverty rate, high school graduation rate, health insurance coverage).
    • Implications for policy: balancing economic growth with social welfare, education funding, and infrastructure is critical.

  • TEXAS VERSUS VERMONT (comparing state systems)

    • Vermont’s origins and geography contrast with Texas; Vermont is small in size (≈9,250 square miles) versus Texas’ vast territory; Vermont’s Green Mountains and forested landscape differ from Texas’s open plains and oil fields.
    • Demographics: Vermont is comparatively homogeneous; Texas is highly diverse, with Anglos around 40.3% of the population in 2023; Hispanics/Latinos comprise about 40.2%; African Americans about 13.4%; Asian Americans about 5.7%.
    • Population: Vermont’s population remains relatively small; Texas has three of the nation’s ten largest cities and many large counties; Vermont’s largest city (Burlington) would be mid-sized by Texas standards.
    • Governance: Texas requires different approaches due to its diversity, geographic scale, and economic complexity; Vermont’s smaller scale reflects a different political dynamic.
    • Lessons: The contrast highlights that there is no single model for state governance; each state’s system must align with its population, geography, and economic structure.

  • TODAY’S TEXAS: IMMIGRATION AND DEMOGRAPHICS CONTINUE TO SHAPE POLITICS

    • Ongoing tension between legend and change: old narratives (Anglo-dominant myth) persist in some histories, while demographic reality shows deepening diversity and immigrant influence.
    • Tejanos and LULAC: Tejanos make significant political gains after 1930; LULAC founded in 1929 catalyzes political organization for Hispanic Texans; Eva Guzman becomes first Hispanic woman on the Texas Supreme Court (2009).
    • Hispanics increasing political influence: ongoing shifts toward greater political involvement and leadership within Texas politics.
    • The future of Texas politics: as the Latino population grows, the state faces choices about policy, representation, and party alignment; however, party outcomes depend on policy issues beyond demographics alone.

  • CONCLUSION: TEXAS AS A FRONTIER STATE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY

    • Texas remains a frontier state, balancing independence with globalization.
    • Economic transformation (tech, aerospace, oil, beef) and rapid population growth require robust infrastructure, education, and public services.
    • The political culture (a blend of individualistic and traditionalistic tendencies) shapes governance, public policy, and constitutional design.
    • The frontier ethos—emphasis on self-reliance, gun rights, punitive justice, and skepticism toward centralized welfare—persists but evolves with demographic shifts and economic diversification.

DEFINING TEXAS: POLITICAL CULTURE (KEY TERMS)

  • political culture: The shared values and beliefs about politics that shape government behavior and public policy.
  • political culture subtypes (Elazar):
    • individualistic political culture: government limited in scope; market-oriented; distrust of government involvement; emphasis on private initiative.
    • traditionalistic political culture: government limited to preserving traditional social order and elite leadership; low voter turnout; politics reserved for elites.
    • moralistic political culture: government supports the public good; active citizen participation; government as a positive force.
  • empresario: A land agent who financed and organized the settlement of Mexican and Texan colonists; relevant to Texas colonization history.
  • democracy: A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.
  • federalism: Shared power between national and state governments; delineates how power is distributed and limits power overlaps.
  • Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo: Ended the Mexican-American War in 1848; impacted Texas territorial and political alignment.
  • Adelsverein: The German colonization society that established German towns in Texas (e.g., New Braunfels, Fredericksburg).
  • native terms: "technologies" of governance and culture that shape modern Texas.
  • 2 TEXAS CONSTITUTIONS (context): Provisions reflecting separation of church and state, religious liberty, and funding for public education; debates over vouchers and religious school funding.
  • moralistic political culture (as above)
  • traditionalistic political culture (as above)
  • population data and figures (Figure 1.1, Table 1.1, Figure 1.2, Table 1.2, Table 1.3):
    • Population growth and projections: 2010–2050 trends, with major shifts toward urban hubs and the Texas Triangle.
    • Racial/ethnic composition shifts: Hispanic growth, Anglo stability, Asian/African immigration patterns.
    • Economic indicators: GDP/GSP comparisons; Texas’ rank among global economies; sector contributions to the workforce.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES (2.x)

  • 2.1 Describe the purpose of a constitution.
  • 2.2 Define federalism and discuss difficulties in sharing power between national and state governments.
  • 2.3 Identify Spanish and Mexican influences on current Texas constitutions.
  • 2.4 Discuss the principles embodied in the current Texas constitution.
  • 2.5 Evaluate problems with the current Texas Constitution.
  • 2.6 Analyze how population and economic changes shape Texas state government in the future.

ACTIVE LEARNING IDEAS

  • Create a short brochure introducing Texas to someone unfamiliar with its culture and history.
  • Generate a list of characteristics that define Texas and distinguish Texans from other Americans (in groups or as a class).

VOUCHERS AND THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION (CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT)

  • Governor Abbott’s push for school vouchers in the 88th legislative session reflects ongoing debates about public education funding and the role of religiously-affiliated schools.
  • Constitutional language on religion and government: no state funds may support sects or religious seminary; state property cannot be diverted to religious purposes.
  • Attorney General Ken Paxton argues that current language might conflict with the U.S. Constitution’s Free Exercise Clause, which could restrict the broad exclusion of religious schools from public funding.
  • The Texas Constitution requires the state to maintain an efficient system of free public schools; concerns exist about per-student funding trends and inflation-adjusted dollars.
  • The voucher debate centers on whether funds diverted from public education to private/religious schools would undermine the public system and exacerbate disparities, particularly in rural Texas with resource constraints.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

  • Notable historical anecdotes and quotes:

    • “I don't have to give any reason. I am Governor of the State of Texas.” (Ferguson) — example of political bravado and the politics of personal power.
    • Bullock’s quip about being a crook but the best comptroller reflects the complex interplay between public service and private behavior in public memory.

  • Figures and data to study (reference figures/tables in the text):

    • Figure 1.1: Population Growth in Texas since 1850; growth rates and cumulative population by decade.
    • Table 1.1: Texas Population Projections (through 2050); breakdown by scenarios.
    • Figure 1.2: Religious Affiliation in Texas, 1990–2020; trends among Evangelical Protestants, Catholics, Mainline Protestants, etc.
    • Table 1.2: Civilian-Employed Population, Sixteen Years and Older by Industry; distribution of the workforce.
    • Table 1.3: Top Fifteen Economies by GDP and GSP (2023); Texas’ place in global economic rankings.

  • Short-answer prompts for exam prep:

    • Explain how the Texas Railroad Commission was both a reform instrument and a tool for protecting certain economic interests.
    • Compare and contrast the Populist and Progressive reform movements in Texas and their legacies.
    • Describe the role of oil in transforming Texas’ economy and government finances by the 1920s.
    • Discuss how demographics and immigration shape Texas politics and policy in the 21st century.
    • Outline Elazar’s three political subcultures and explain which best describes Texas and why.

  • Key terms recap (for quick memory): political culture, individualistic/traditionalistic/moralistic subcultures, Adelsverein, empresario, federalism, democracy, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, voucher, separation of church and state, ERA, Tejanos, LULAC, pseudo-legends vs. historical reality.