Chapter 20 Cornell Notes
Disaster Strikes
Galveston
On September 8, 1900, Galveston was struck by a hurricane
of unbelievable force, the storm lasted for 12 hours, winds
reaching up to 120 miles an hour. High-cresting tidal waves
completely covered the island.
When the storm -6,000 had been killed
was over…
-Thousands were homeless
-Worst natural disaster in U.S. History
Women’s Health Protective Associations- organized to
inspect and safeguard cemeteries, streets, markets, dairies,
schools, hospitals and parks
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a Sea Wall to provide
protection against any future hurricanes.
After Galveston was rebuilt, it resumed its role as a port of
entry for immigrants
Oil- Texas Gold
Texans had been using oil for centuries;
Native Americans used it for medicine
Explorers had used it to fix leaks in their boats
Anglos had used it to grease the axles on their wagons
1840s- Canadian scientist discovered how to make
Kerosene Lamps- oil was used and became more popular.
1866- people started drilling for Oil in Texas and natural
gas started being used for home heating and lighting, and
using oil to power locomotives
Spindletop –
The First
Gusher
South of Beaumont, January 10, 1901- mud, gas and oil
started shooting into the air, as high as 100 feet. It flowed
nonstop for the next 9 days. Estimated that 100,000 barrels
of oil flowed PER DAY until the well could be capped.
Effect of Spindletop:
-Boosted overall economic development within Texas and
beyond;
-Pennsylvania got new refineries,
-others constructed refineries,
-pipelines,
-ocean tanker
-storage facilities,
-AND it encouraged others to drill in Texas.
Houston Benefits
from Oil
Discoveries
As oil fields grew around it, Houston became the center
of oil business activities. Petroleum companies needed
the banking, insurance, transportation, and legal services
that Houston could provide.
“Where 17 Railroads Meet the Sea.”
Houston Ship Channel was built to accommodate modern
ships.
Lumber Booms in
East Texas
Derricks- high towers that held the drilling equipment
were made of wood.- Texas Piney Woods were ready to
answer that call. Very dangerous job!
1913- Texas Legislature created a system to pay for jobrelated injuries that today is known as worker’s
compensation.
Dallas Dominates
Central Texas
Dallas became a center for banking, insurance and legal
services. Also Retail (sold directly to the consumer in
small quantities) center- Neiman – Marcus was opened
1907.
Dallas’ rail connection helped make it a white- collar city.
Galveston
Reforms City
Government
Progressivism- a reform movement in the early twentieth
century that sought to correct social and political
problems
Commission- a form of city government in which citizens
elect officers to head departments such as public safely
and human services; the mayor has little power
The Terrell
Election Law
Terrell Election Laws- passed by the state legislature, this
law called for secret ballots and restricted campaigning
near polling booths for all elections
Primary Elections- an election in which party members
choose the party’s candidates for the general election
Votes for Women
Suffrage is the right to vote
Opposition to Woman suffrage:
Women had no need to vote because men would protect their
rights
Women would neglect their homes and children if they
became more involved in political affairs
Suffragists argued:
If they had the right to vote, they could be even more
effective in their traditional roles; they could cast their
ballots in favor of better schools, more playgrounds, safe
parks, and improved public health.
Votes for
Women cont.
Woman suffrage also argued:
If a woman failed to pay her taxes, her property could be sold; if
she forged a check, she could go to jail; if she stole, she could be
convicted; and if she defaulted on her contracts, she could be
sued- in NONE of these cases would her father or husband be
punished- therefore WHY was it that the only place in world that
men wanted to represent women was at the ballot box?!
1918:
Texas women won the right to vote in party primaries by making
a deal with the new governor, William P. Hobby. They promised
that if he would sign a bill granting women the right to vote in
primaries, they would support him in the forthcoming election.
United States :
Nineteenth Amendment women were granted the right to Vote
throughout U.S.
Prohibition
1919 the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
stated that Alcoholic beverages were illegal
It was so unpopular that in 1933 the law was repealed, it
was thought the repeal would help improve the economy
(You can tax the sales on alcohol only if alcohol is legal)
African
Americans fight
discrimination
Progress Era did not benefit African Americans
When the Republicans occupied the White House, they
often appointed African Americans to federal jobs,
sometimes in Texas.
By the 1890s the Republican Party stopped supporting
African Americans because its members thought it would
always be seen as a minority party in the South.
Jim Crow Laws- laws discrimination against African
Americans
Segregation- the act of segregating, or setting apart, from
the general population
African
Americans fight
discrimination
Blacks were required to sit in the back of streetcars,
buses and in the balconies of public theaters. Had
separate water fountains, restrooms, railway cars and
waiting rooms.
Lynched- to put to death (as by hanging) without a legal
trial
Poll Tax-a tax of a fixed amount so a person could vote
National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People- created to help work for racial equality. Began in
Houston in 1912.
Cultures Clash in
South Texas
Write three sentences that summarize this section.
Answers can include:
-Mexicans were coming into Texas because of the Mexican
Revolution of 1910- 1920
-People of Mexican descent made up almost half of the
population in South Texas
-Many people were killed from all “sides”
-Texas Rangers and state militias were sent to help, but
were later found to be adding to the violent