Chapter 1: Introduction to Texas History and Politics

Flags of Texas

• Spain claimed Texas as early as 1519; Spanish Texas included only a small part of today’s state; claims waned after surveys failed to find great treasures.

• France was the second flag over the territory, claiming the Mississippi River system and parts of the Spanish claims in Mexico; Fort Saint Louis established on the Texas coast (1685) but destroyed by Karankawa Indians.

• Spain returned after remains of Fort Saint Louis were discovered in 1689; Spain established missions and presidios in the eastern part of its territory; Tejanos were the Spanish settlers.

• The U.S. purchase of the Louisiana Territory in 1803 changed settlement patterns; Anglos emerged as non-Hispanic white North Americans of European descent, typically English-speaking; Spanish–Mexican relations deteriorated; Mexico declared independence in 1821.

• The Republic of Mexico flag followed the Spanish; Empresario: a person contracted with the Spanish or Mexican government to recruit settlers to Texas in exchange for land.

• Revolt against Mexico began in 1835 due to decrees limiting property rights and economic freedom for Anglos; on March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence.

The Republic of Texas and Gonzales

• In late 1835, Texan and Mexican forces fought over a small six-pound cannon in Gonzales, Texas.

• Defenders raised the flag with the words “Come and Take It” beneath a lone star and a cannon.

The Republic of Texas 1

• The Republic of Texas flew the fourth national flag and had to survive war with Mexico.

• Sam Houston reorganized the Texas Army after Santa Anna’s forces fled; Santa Anna was captured and forced to sign the Treaty of Velasco recognizing Texas independence.

• Postwar finances: the new government was deeply in debt and struggled to meet minimum obligations.

• The issue of slavery complicated U.S. statehood; the United States denied a petition for statehood while Texas remained an independent republic.

The Battle of the Alamo

• The Battle of the Alamo is a notable event in Texas history (illustration by Percy Moran, 1912).

The Republic of Texas 2 (1836–1845)

• From 1836 to 1845, the Republic struggled to survive amid poor relations with Mexico, border disputes, and hostility with Native groups.

• The republic lacked revenue and infrastructure; it offered land to potential settlers to attract population.

• Adelsverein Society promoted German immigration to Texas in the 1840s.

The Twenty-Eighth State of the Union 1 (Texas joins the U.S.)

• Manifest Destiny drove U.S. expansion; Texas gained statehood in 1845; the U.S. flag became the fifth to fly over Texas.

• Texas retained public debt and lands; the United States purchased land designated as federal.

• Boundaries resolved with the Compromise of 1850.

The Twenty-Eighth State of the Union 2 (Mexican–American War and aftermath)

• Mexico objected to U.S. annexation in early 1845; Mexican–American War (1846–1848) followed; the U.S. was victorious.

• Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gadsden Purchase expanded U.S. territory to include Texas, California, and the land between them.

Map 1.1: Compromise of 1850

• Present state boundaries shown; territory transferred to federal government as part of the Compromise of 1850.

• Text alternative available for slide images.

The Confederate State of Texas (1848–1860s)

• Settlement increased dramatically; more immigrants from the southern United States and Europe.

• Texas’s economy tied to the southern slave system; this linkage contributed to secession in 1861 and alignment with the Confederacy.

• The Confederate flag became Texas’s sixth national flag.

Effects of the Civil War 1

• Texas experienced less devastation than many Confederacy states; Napoleon III of France did not intervene despite Confederate appeals for funds.

• About $90{,}000$ Texans served in the war.

Battle of Galveston and Civil War Events (1863)

• Confederate land forces recaptured Galveston; Confederate naval forces captured USRC Harriet Lane; CS Neptune was lost.

Effects of the Civil War 2

• Balcones Escarpment limited Anglo westward expansion; arid plains west of the Escarpment lacked provisions for an invading army.

• U.S. forts were abandoned during the Civil War; Native American groups reemerged in the region.

Reconstruction in Texas 1

• Postwar, Texas was deeply in debt and under Union Army control; Reconstruction began in 1865.

• Goals: restore law and order and readmit southern states to the Union; dismantle slavery.

• “Carpetbaggers”: political actors in the South using travel baggage; term reflects the era.

Reconstruction in Texas 2

• 1866 constitutional steps: abolished slavery, nullified secession, canceled wartime debt.

• 1869 constitution (carpetbagger’s constitution) replaced the 1866 one; African Americans gained voting rights; whites who fought in the Civil War lost voting rights.

• Texas formally rejoined the Union in 1870.

Reconstruction in Texas 3

• Southern Democrats regained control with the 1874 elections, initiating a long period of Democratic dominance.

• The 1876 Texas Constitution emphasized limited government and individual liberties; it remains the outline of Texas law with hundreds of amendments.

Post-Reconstruction Texas: Land

• Land-based economy dominated Texas’s wealth; land grants attracted settlers.

• Each family could receive one sitio or legua (Spanish for “league”), about $4{,}428$ acres.

• Land incentives aided population growth and were tied to the Texas Revolution and annexation.

Post-Reconstruction Texas: Transformation of the Economy 1

• 1820s–1860s: cotton farming dominated; post-Civil War: cattle became the economic mainstay and spurred cowboy culture.

• 1901: Spindletop oil field near Beaumont was tapped, triggering dramatic economic and political changes.

Spindletop Oil Industry (ca. 1901)

• The famous “Queen of Waco” gusher symbolized Texas oil boom; Beaumont, Port Arthur, and vicinity became central to the oil industry.

Post-Reconstruction Texas: Transformation of the Economy 2

• Oil spurred population growth and attracted workers from across the U.S. and abroad; led to rapid urbanization.

• Urban share: about <1}{20} ext{%} in 1900, 63{,}0 ext{%} by 1950, and >80{,}0 ext{%} by 1990.

Post-Reconstruction Texas: Transformation of the Economy 3

• 1970s–1980s: oil-price increases fueled growth; oil downturn in the mid-1980s emphasized the need for economic diversification.

• Early 21st century: economy diversified with NAFTA, high-tech industries, and advanced R&D.

Today’s Economic Structure: Service-Dominated Economy

• Today, the service sector dominates Texas’s economy.

• Proximity to Mexico and central U.S. location support growth in accounting, legal, computer services, construction, engineering, and management.

• Population growth increases demand for health care and education services; growth in leisure and hospitality accompanies rising trade and population.

Figure 1.1: Top Exports from Texas (2022)

• Chemical manufacturing: $63.7 \text{billion}$

• Computer and electronic product manufacturing: $55.9 \text{billion}$

• Other notable exports include transportation equipment, machinery, electronic equipment/accessories, and fabricated metal products.

• Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; data as of Jan 27, 2024.

Core Objective 2: Communicating Effectively

• Task: Write a short synopsis of Texas’s changing economy and its role in international trade.

Texas’s Economic Regions

• The Texas Comptroller’s office divides the state into 12 economic regions; discussion often uses six: East Texas (Piney Woods), the Plains, Gulf Coast, South Texas/Rio Grande Valley, the Metroplex (Dallas–Fort Worth), and the Central Corridor.

Figure 1.2: Economic Regions of Texas

• Regions feature distinct dominant activities (see detailed notes below).

Regional Highlights

• East Texas (Piney Woods): timber dominates; less emphasis on agriculture or oil compared with other regions.

• Plains: historically agriculture and ranching; diversification reducing dominance of traditional sectors.

• Gulf Coast: petrochemicals, manufacturing, shipping, fishing, high-tech industries.

• South Texas/Rio Grande Valley: agricultural production of citrus fruits and vegetables.

• Metroplex (Dallas–Fort Worth): financial center; banking, manufacturing, high-tech, aerospace.

• Central Corridor: large universities, high-tech industries, major military bases.

Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican 1

• Democratic Party dominated Texas politics from Reconstruction to the mid-1970s; third parties played a role during the Progressive Era.

• By the early 20th century, Texas was effectively one-party, with Progressive Democrats and Conservative Democrats contesting offices; “Yellow Dog Democrats” voted Democratic in all elections.

Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican 2

• Through World War II, most Texas Democrats were conservative; national party expansion of government led conservatives to shift away from the party in national races.

• Civil rights movement (late 1950s–1960s) similarly pushed socially conservative Democrats toward opposition; Republicans gained in national offices and, over time, in state and local offices.

Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican 3

• By 2002, Texas achieved a fully Republican statewide majority; conservatives, business interests, and anti-regulatory sentiments favored Republican candidates.

• The Texas House of Representatives achieved a Republican majority for the first time, aided by redistricting.

Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican 4

• In the last two decades, Texas has become a virtually one-party dominant state, with Republicans holding the advantage.

• Some voters may be nonparticipants (not registered or not voting); redistricting has helped secure Republican majorities in many districts.

Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican 5

• The Obama presidency (2010–2012) sparked a wave of small-government and social-conservative candidates.

• In 2013, the Battleground Texas PAC emerged with mixed success; Democrats did gain federal and state seats in 2018.

Texas Politics: From Democrat to Republican 6

• 2020 elections: President Trump carried Texas with a smaller margin than in 2016; incumbent Senator John Cornyn won by about $10 ext{ points}$; in 2022, Texas added two federal districts (37th, 38th) with other districts remaining Republican-leaning.

Core Objective 3: Taking Personal Responsibility

• Reflect on how to stay well informed about political issues to make good election-time decisions.

Demographics: The Road to Majority

• Minority population trends shape politics, society, and governance; demography is the scientific study of population.

• Texas ranks second in land size and population among the 50 states; 2023 population estimate shows rapid growth; in 13 years, about $5.4 \text{million}$ residents added.

• With the 2010 Census, Texas gained $4$ seats in the U.S. House; with the 2020 Census, Texas gained $2$ seats (one of only six states to gain a seat and the only state to gain two).

Figure 1.3: Percentage Change in Population for the 10 Most Populous States (2020–2023)

• New York: -3.2 ext{arelysign}

• Illinois: -2.1 ext{arelysign}

• California: -1.5 ext{arelysign}

• Michigan: -0.5 ext{arelysign}

• Pennsylvania: -0.4 ext{arelysign}

• Ohio: -0.2 ext{arelysign}

• Georgia: 2.9 ext{arelysign}

• North Carolina: 3.7 ext{arelysign}

• Texas: 4.6 ext{arelysign}

• Florida: 4.9 ext{arelysign}

Urban and Rural Population

• Although Texas’s total population rose, the rural share declined (Census 2022: <15% rural; 2000 rural was 17.5%).

• Urban areas are projected to outpace rural areas over the next 40 years.

Majority-Minority Population

• Since 2004, Texas has been a majority-minority state (minority groups together form the majority).

• As of 2023, non-Hispanic whites are $39.8 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$ of the population.

• Hispanics are a growing political force; Asian Americans are rising (about $5.7 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$ in 2023); African Americans are roughly $12.8 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$.

Focus On 1: The Hispanic Contribution to the Texas Constitution

• Hispanics are integral to Texas and U.S. economy; the national Latino GDP in 2023 was approximately $3.3 ext{ trillion dollars}$.

• Hispanic wealth derives from a young population, growth, and rising educational attainment.

• In Texas, about $59{,}000$ Hispanic-owned businesses generate $19.8 ext{ billion dollars}$ in payroll income taxes and provide over $600{,}000$ jobs.

Religion in Texas

• Religious heritage includes Roman Catholic roots and conservative Protestantism; about $82 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$ affiliate with a religious tradition.

• Roughly $3 ext{ in } 4$ Texans identify as Christians, with Protestants comprising about half of the population.

• Mainline and evangelical Protestants are largely Republican; religious composition influences politics.

Table 1.1: Religious Affiliation in the United States (Pew Research, 2023)

• Protestant: $40 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$

• Catholic: $20 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$

• Other Faiths: $9 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$

• Religiously Unaffiliated: $28 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$

• Refused to Answer: $2 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$

Figure 1.4: Party Identification by Religious Affiliation

• Evangelical Protestants: strong Republican leanings.

• Catholics: more likely to identify as Democratic than Republican.

• Historically Black Protestants: strongly Democratic.

• Mainline Protestants: mix of Republican and Democratic leanings.

• Religious “nones”: mixed but notable Democratic leanings.

Core Objective 4: Being Socially Responsible

• Understanding religion-politics helps civic engagement.

• Compare your religious affiliations and political beliefs with neighbors to understand local political dynamics.

Challenges in Texas: The Economy

• Texas weathered the 2008 financial recession better than many large states due to diversification into energy, agriculture, trade, and services.

• The diversified and generally business-friendly climate contributed to a quicker recovery.

Challenges: Education and Income

• Incomes in Texas run slightly below the national mean; poverty rates are slightly higher than national averages.

• Texas lags behind the national average in adults with high school diplomas or bachelor’s degrees; economically disadvantaged students fare worse.

In-Migration and Immigration Today

• In-migration: since 2010, about $29 ext{ hinspace extpercent}$ of population growth comes from in-migration.

• Texas is attractive due to affordable housing, favorable climate, and high-tech jobs; migrants come from California, Florida, New York, Illinois, Louisiana, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arizona, Georgia, Washington state, and Virginia.

Table 1.2 Migration to Texas from Other States (2022)

• California: $102{,}422$

• Florida: $41{,}747$

• New York: $30{,}890$

• Illinois: $25{,}272$

• Louisiana: $25{,}192$

• Colorado: $24{,}511$

• Oklahoma: $24{,}318$
  (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, State-to-State Migration Flows, 2022)

Immigration Trends

• In 2022, Texas had $138{,}772$ documented immigrants from Mexico (the largest single nation national origin).

• About $5.2 ext{ million}$ unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. are Mexican-born.

• In response to recent migration surges, Governor Greg Abbott moved over $80{,}000$ migrants to Democratic-leaning cities such as New York City and Washington, D.C.

• Immigration from Asia is rising.

Focus On 2: Hate Crime in an Increasingly Diverse Texas

• The greatest share of hate crimes in Texas are motivated by race, ethnicity, and shared ancestry.

• Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation and religion are increasing; anti-Semitic incidents have risen nationwide, including in Texas.

• Following a national spike in anti-Semitic incidents after the 2021–2023 period, Governor Abbott issued an executive order to combat anti-Semitism on Texas campuses.

Texas Political Culture

• Political culture is the system of beliefs about the proper role of government.

• Types (Elazar, 1960s): Moralistic (government as a positive force for the common good), Individualistic (government serves individual interests), Traditionalistic (government preserves the existing social order for elites).

• Map 1.3 shows traditionalistic cultures in the former Confederate states; moralistic in much of the Midwest and West; and some northern states leaning individualistic.

• Texas’ early settler groups contributed different subcultures: Tejanos and East Texas Anglos supported traditionalistic norms; West Texas Germans and Midwestern Anglos supported individualistic cultures; enslaved African Americans were forced into traditionalistic culture under slaveholding.

• The Texas government structure aligns with traditionalistic/individualistic models: limited government, power spread among elected officials, weak executive, limited regulation, modest environmental regulation.

Populism, Progressivism, and Other Ideologies

• Texas political culture blends classical liberalism (individual rights, limited government, rule of law, free market) with social conservatism (opposition to abortion, traditional family values, school prayer).

• Populists advocate government assistance to small businesses, farmers, and ranchers facing competition from large corporations and foreign firms.

• A substantial minority supports liberal-progressive ideas favoring a larger welfare state and more regulation of business, sometimes opposing social-conservative agendas.

Conclusion

• Texas occupies a unique position in the U.S.; its political culture is shaped by history and pioneer attitudes.

• Population growth and urbanization require leveraging historical political culture to meet contemporary challenges.

Summary (Key Takeaways)

• Six flags over Texas: Spanish, French, Mexican, Republic of Texas, United States, Confederate States.

• Civil War and Reconstruction: Texas avoided major battlefield devastation; slavery ended; Reconstruction brought temporary Republican rule and later enduring Democratic dominance.

• Post-Reconstruction: Shift to a diversified economy (cotton → cattle → oil → services); urbanization accelerated by oil booms and industrialization.

• Modern Texas: Large, diverse economy; rapid population growth and urbanization; major role in international trade; demographically majority-minority; substantial Hispanic influence in culture and politics.

• Political culture: Traditionalistic/individualistic blend; history of one-party dominance transitioning to Republican control by the early 2000s, with ongoing competitive dynamics in national races.

• Current challenges: Poverty and education gaps, in-migration and immigration pressures, and maintaining growth while addressing inequality and public services.

Lecture/Discussion Prompts (from slides)

• How has rural-to-urban migration reshaped Texas governance and electoral outcomes?

• With large in-migration from other states and countries, how might Texas’ political culture evolve in the coming decades?

• Which regional economies are most vulnerable to global shifts, and how might policy respond to diversify growth across Texas?

References to Figures and Tables (as presented in slides)

• Figure 1.1: Top Exports from Texas (2022) – chemical manufacturing, computer/electronic product manufacturing are leading sectors.

• Figure 1.2: Economic Regions of Texas – six simplified regions with descriptions above.

• Figure 1.3: Population change among the 10 most populous states (2020–2023) – Texas +4.6%, Florida +4.9%, others negative or lower.

• Figure 1.4: Party identification by religious affiliation – evangelical Protestants strongly Republican; Catholics more Democratic-leaning; Black Protestants strongly Democratic; mainline Protestants mixed; unaffiliated leaning Democratic.

• Table 1.1: Religious affiliation in the United States (Pew Research, 2023).

• Table 1.2: Migration to Texas from other states (2022).

Note: All numerical references are provided as appropriate in LaTeX-formatted expressions within the bullets where applicable, for example: $4{,}428\ ext{acres}$, $63.7\text{ billion}$, $39.8\%$, $5.7\%$, $12.8\%$, $$=