CHAPTER 1TEXAS SOCIETY

AND POLITICAL CULTURE

By

Isaac De Castro

and

Michael Buccari

The Explorers The spanish- Early explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza

De Vaca arrived in November, 1528 and explored the whole south-west.

Another expedition by Francisco Vasquez De Coranado was launched in search of wealth.

Results from an expedition depicted Texas as a barren inhospitable place that lacked natural resources.

The Spanish made no financial gain, but realized this was important territory.

The French A French Expedition arrived on a Texas coast in 1684 and

claimed the area for the king of France. La Salle (Leader of French expedition) was murdered and the rest of his group was killed by disease and starvation. Settlement lasted barely 3 years.

Although the occupation was short, the Spanish felt very threatened and felt the need to show that it was their land.

The Colonists The Mexicans- Many Spanish missions did not prosper due

to Indian tribes conflicting with them. Spain realized the Comanche wanted no part of the Spanish or their institutions.

The Spanish missions prospered mainly in South-Texas and there was a strong emergence of Mexican culture.

Cattle trade among the Rio Grande in the 1750’s was the basis for many tools, terminology, and technology for the Anglo cattle industry.

The Republic of Mexico was born after 10 years of bloody fighting with Spain.

The Anglos

The first organized Anglo settlement was under Stephen F. Austin whose father negotiated settlement with the Spanish.

The government of Mexico began issuing land grants but the recipients had to occupy the land within two years and had to become a Catholic. This was a major agent of conversion. These offers attracted many Angelo's bringing whole families and livestock, and drastically different attitudes.

There were disagreements and rebellions, Santa Anna promised to destroy rebellious interlopers. Santa Anna’s counterpart was Sam Houston. After a mere 7 months of battle the Texans were victorious by defeating and capturing Santa Anna. The Mexican forces withdrew for exchange of Santa Anna. In March Texas became its own Nation acting on its own Declaration of Independence.

The Republic The Republic of Texas existed for almost 10 years enduring

numerous invasions and attacks and a deteriorating economy. Inflation became huge and all exchanges were reliant heavily on trade as there was a scarcity of cash and the cash itself had been inflated beyond belief.

Life in the period of the Republic was very difficult and the government was regarded as dangerous by some of the citizens. On February of 1846, the Republic of Texas seized to exist due in part because of the Manifest Destiny.

The Confederacy

Texas joined the Confederacy along side 10 other states, but not all Texans agreed and wanted this. Texas was mainly used as supplies of men and material.

Reconstruction began in June 1865 and was a time of great stress and turmoil. States first Republican Governor was E.J Davis. When he left it ended the mark of the reconstruction period.

A Frontier State

Expansion and political upheaval forced Indians out of the land. But in this time self reliance, belief in material progress, and land ownership where vital to everyday life.

Expansion of railroads moving westward was happening at this time. Texas was making a transition from country to city farm to factory.

A Modern State

A big thing to strike Texas in the 20th century was Oil, and it changed the image of Texas forever. Texas became more advanced technology due to oil and oil fields.

Jim Ferguson’s wife Miriam won the Governorship.

“Two governors for the price of one”

A Modern State

The Depression hit Texas hard, farm prices fell. Oil discoveries and defense plants during and after world war 2 is what helped Texans financially.

There was segregation against non-whites and that made many problems arise.

John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, in November,1963.

A Modern State During the 1970’s the economic importance

started to over shadow politics, and as oil prices rose so did the states income.

OPEC failed to agree on a world wide oil price, Saudi Arabia drastically altered oil prices. This affected Texas in a negative losing billions of dollars.

A lot of the events that have occurred have defined what Texas is and has added to the patriotism of Texas through what its citizens have survived through.

Geographical Pieces

Coastal planes- Coastal marshes throughout the coast of the Gulf of Mexico from Corpus Christi to the Louisiana Border. Plays a large role in economy. Good for Rice, Cotton and other crops, and oil.

The Piney Wood

High amounts of rainfall up to 60 inches per a year in some areas. Timber is a big economic resource, along with oil and gas in the area.

Lots of land protected by Federal Law

The Post Oaks and Prairies West of the Piney Woods, is roaring

prairies with rich soil and where a lot of the cotton was grown in the 19th century. Barnett shale natural gas deposits are a major source of economic activity.

Cities include Dallas, Austin, Fort worth, San Antonio, and Waco.

South Texas Prairie

An arid climate located in the Southern regions of Texas. Major place where Cattle were raised and currently agriculture plays a major role in that area. Bird watchers go because of the huge Bird Migration in that area.

Edwards Plateau

Land dominated by lime stone hills. Farming has not prospered here, but sheep and goat ranches have done well.

Breeding of exotic game has diversified the area.

Llano Uplift

Very scenic hills and quite valleys, solid mineral production takes place here. Austin’s capital is made of distinctive pink granite from this area.

Wichita Prairie

Good soil, produces wheat and cotton crops.

Many of the greater ranches and farms that Texas is known for have originated from the Wichita Prairie due to its natural resources.

High Plains

Flat grassy lands, huge prosperous ranches. Currently produces cotton and grain. Oil is also abundant in this area around Midland and Oddesa.

West Texas Basins and Ranges

West of the Pecos is the most underdeveloped part of the state. Big bend national park and Guadalupe peek are a part of this area.

Wind power turbines, are a large part of energy production in this area.

Individualistic

Rude in the notions of individualism independence, limited government and free enterprise. This is stereotypically thought to be the view of most Texans.

Traditionalistic

These types of people would like to maintain the people in charge and do not think that ordinary people are fit to handle issues such as politics. They are very reluctant to changing, they want everything to stay the same.

Moralistic

These people are more concerned about public good than private gain. They are intolerant to any type of corruption. They encourage public participation in Government.

The Changing face of Texas Texas is always changing and if you look

at our history and all the different cultures that are incorporated into it will show that the face of Texas will continue to change. New people and new opportunities will mirror these realities.