TEXAS IN THE UNION
1
OBJECTIVES
• Describe the Reconstruction
period in Texas.
• Explain the social effects of
Reconstruction.
• Analyze Andrew Johnson’s plan for
Reconstruction.
Presidential
Reconstruction
• Confederates surrender
– Texans uncertain about future
– Texans lost brothers, sons, and fathers
• Confederates had to change
(reconstruct) their way of life to be
allowed to rejoin the Union.
• Lincoln issued the Emancipation
Proclamation.
–Called for ALL slaves in U.S. to be set
Free !!
• Texans ignored this because they said
they weren’t “in” the Union (U.S.)
• As news of emancipation spread, about
250,000 Texan slaves were freed
Freed
• For many freedmen (a person
Slaves
who has been freed from slavery)
life was not easy.
– Many didn’t have jobs.
– Many didn’t have homes.
– Some looked for long-lost relatives.
– Some established communities called
“Freedtowns”.
– Some traveled to the city searching for work.
– Some remained on the plantation working for
wages or a portion of the crop.
• Group created by the U.S. Congress to
help former slaves adapt to freedom.
– They provided:
•
•
•
•
Freedmen’s Bureau
created schools for African
American children.
food
shelter
medicine
job hunting assistance
Many Freedmen Bureau agents
•Freedmen’s
Bureauand
agentsothers
had a difficult
time carryingas
out
were killed
wounded
their duties due to:
they worked to protect the rights of
~the size of Texas
~poor transportation
former
slaves.
~white Texans opposition
Johnson’s Plan for
Reconstruction
•
•
Andrew Johnson became
president when Lincoln was assassinated.
Johnson’s Plan for Reconstruction included:
1. states had to end slavery
2. states had to declare that their secession was
illegal
3. states had to cancel all war debts
4. to get back the right to vote, white males had to
pledge loyalty to the U.S.
photo from:http://www.americaslibrary.gov/assets/jb/nation/jb_nation_johnson_1_e.jpg
• James W. Throckmorton led the convention
where the delegates changed much of the
Texas Constitution back to the way it was
prior to secession.
• Texas:
civil rights – rights belonging
– canceled state debts from the war.
– Ended slavery
– REFUSED to ratify the 13th Amendment, which
made slavery illegal
– DENIED civil rights, including the right for
African Americans to vote.
to ALL citizens
• The Constitution of 1866 was actually
a series of amendments to the
Constitution of 1845.
• Two months after the Constitution of
1866 was approved by popular vote
in June, President Johnson of the
U.S. agreed to accept Texas back into
the Union.
amendments – a
change made to a
law, bill, or document
Texas’s New GoverNmeNT
• The new state government made
several controversial decisions:
–Enacted “Black Codes”.
• African Americans were second class
citizens.
• They could not marry whites.
• They could not hold public office, vote,
or serve on a jury.
• Even though Texas agreed to
abide by the laws of the Union,
the background and belief of the
new representatives did not
support the nation’s goal for
Reconstruction.
• The U.S. Congress reacts to
this…
The Reaction of Congress
• Although President Johnson agreed
to let Texas back into the Union,
Congress did not.
• Many felt that Texas was not
reconstructed.
• The “Black Codes” convinced the
Republicans that Texas could not be
trusted to deal fairly with African
Americans.
• A group called the “Radical Republicans”
led by Thaddeous Stevens believed that
Congress should redirect Reconstruction.
– The Radical Republicans saw
Reconstruction as a way to punish the
Southerners.
vetoed – refusal by a
head
of
government
to
• Congress and President Johnson did
not
agree.
sign
a bill passed by the
• President Johnson vetoed bills
legislature
passed by the Congress.
• For now, the U.S. refused to admit
Texas into the Union.
1
MAIN IDEA
When the Civil War ended, Texas
and the other Southern states had to
meet certain requirements to rejoin
the Union.
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The effects of Reconstruction would
have an impact on Texans of all races
for more than 100 years.
2
OBJECTIVES
• Explain how congressional Reconstruction
differed from presidential Reconstruction.
• Analyze the political effects of Reconstruction
in Texas.
• Describe Texans’ reactions to congressional
Reconstruction.
• Many Texans resisted all
that was required of them
for Reconstruction. Others
believed that they should do
whatever it takes to rejoin
the Union as quickly as
possible.
Congress Gains Control
• The Radical Republicans had enough
votes to override President Johnson’s
veto.
• Congress drew up a more detailed plan for
Reconstruction than President Johnson’s.
– Their plan focused on limiting the role of
former Confederate leaders and protecting
the civil rights of African Americans.
The republicaNs’ plaN
• 14th Amendment
– granted citizenship to former slaves
– addressed the issue of Black Codes and
equality of all African Americans
– kept people who had served in the
Confederacy from holding political office
•Texans found the terms in the 14th Amendment hard
to accept.
•Texans refused to ratify the amendment so Congress
continued to keep Texas outside the Union.
• Congress was angered by Texas and
the other Confederate states refusing
to ratify the 14th Amendment.
• The Radical Republicans took a firmer
stand by passing the Reconstruction
Act of 1867.
districts – part of a
state or other area
marked
off
for
a
– This act put Southern states (excluding
Tennessee) under military rule.
special
purpose
– This act divided the ten states into five
military districts.
FIVE MILITARY DISTRICTS
• One duty of the military groups
was to register Texans who would
vote for delegates to the new
constitutional convention.
–They were told to register ONLY
those who were LOYAL to the
Union.
• Many plantation owners and former
Confederate soldiers did not want
African Americans to have rights.
• A secret group called the Ku Klux
Klan was formed.
• The goal of this group was to:
– restore Democratic control of the
South
– keep former slaves powerless
• The Ku Klux Klan attacked:
– African Americans, especially those who had
become wealthy or owned land
– white Republicans
• Victims of the Klan had little or no
protection.
• Despite the Klan’s efforts, nearly 50,000
African American men registered to vote in
Texas. (In fact 10 African Americans were
elected as delegates to the Constitutional
Convention of 1868-1869.)
AFRICAN AMERICAN LEGISLATORS
• The Constitutional Convention of 1869 had ONE
purpose: writing a new state constitution.
• The Constitution of 1869:
•The
Constitutional
– declared the Constitution of the U.S. as law
– guaranteed the right of of
all men
to vote (regardless of
Convention
1868-1869
race, color, or former condition)
–was
established
the foundation
for a public
school system
one
of the
longest
for ALL children
and
most
meetings
– centralized
systemcostly
of law enforcement
– set the number and length of terms for state
government offices.ever.
The Election of Governor Davis
• In November 1869 elections of officers
of the new state government were held.
• Radical Republicans supported Edmund
Davis, while other Republicans and
Democrats supported A.J. Hamilton.
• Both sides were accused of corruption
during the election.
• Davis was named the winner in the end.
The Election of Governor Davis
• Many Texans claimed that the
army had unfairly made sure
Davis was elected.
• Many Texans remained
determined to regain control of
their state.
2
MAIN IDEA
Congress put together a stricter plan
for Reconstruction. Republicans
took control of Texas and of
enforcing Reconstruction.
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
African Americans were given
the right to vote for the first
time.
3
OBJECTIVES
• Identify the major changes made by the Texas
legislature in 1870.
• Explain why some Texans opposed Governor
Edmund J. Davis.
• Describe the provisions of the Constitution
of 1876.
• When Republican Edmund Davis won the
race for Governor in 1869, the Radical
Republicans gained even more control of
Texas.
• Davis and the legislature ratified the 14th
Amendment, which was a requirement
from then US Congress for
Reconstruction.
• Texas was readmitted to the Union on
March 8, 1870.
• U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant
declared the Reconstruction process
over in Texas.
• Military rule in the South was also
brought to an end.
• Even though Texas was once again
part of the U.S., many Texan
Democrats would not be satisfied until
the Republicans were no longer in
power.
• Texas’s Governor Davis created a
state police force and state militia.
• Both were under governor’s control.
• Davis had the authority to declare
martial law.
• This meant Davis could use the militia
to settle any civil disturbance.
martial law – rule by
an army instead of
the usual civil
authorities
• Those who opposed Davis’s
administration were called Redeemers.
•Davis grew
more and more
unpopular.
– They wanted to redeem, or save, Texas from
what they saw as harmful actions by the
Radical Republicans.
• The Redeemers called Davis’s legislative
program the “Obnoxious Acts”.
– They thought that Davis would use militia and
the state police against anyone who opposed
him.
The End of Reconstruction
• At the Democratic State Convention
in February 1871, delegates spoke
out against what they called
“unconstitutional and oppressive”
activities by Davis’s administration.
– The Radical Republican legislature had
raised taxes, which angered many of
these delegates.
The End of Reconstruction
• In 1873, Davis ran for reelection.
– He was defeated by Democrat Richard
Coke, a former confederate officer.
• Davis claimed the election proceedings
were illegal.
– The Supreme Court agreed with Davis
but it was too late…Coke had already
been sworn into office.
• The Democrats quickly reversed many of
the changes Davis had made while in
office.
• As a result, African Americans soon lost
much of the legal and political ground they
had recently gained.
http://www.cemetery.state.tx.us/media/2666DavisEJ118.1.JPG
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/coke.jpg
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1876
• The Redeemers wanted to remove all
traces of the Radical Republicans, which
meant changing the state constitution of
1869.
• 90 delegates met.
• One major change in the constitution was
the amount of power the governor and
legislature had.
– It was greatly decreased.
• This Constitution also set aside grants for
education, homesteads, and railroads.
THE CONSTITUTION OF 1876
• This constitution STILL serves as
Texas’s constitution.
• It severely limits the ability for
legislature to make changes in
government services and powers
except by amendments.
• The constitution has been amended
more than any other state’s
constitution… around a whopping 400
times!
3
MAIN IDEA
The unpopular Davis administration
led to pro-Democratic feelings and
the adoption of a new state
constitution.
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Conflicts during Reconstruction
left bitterness between Democrats
and Republicans for years in Texas.
TIMELINE 1865–1877
1865 Slaves are emancipated in Texas
1866 Constitution of 1866 is adopted
1869 Constitution of 1869 is adopted
1869 Edmund Davis is elected as first Republican
governor of Texas
1870 Texas is readmitted into the United States
1873 Democrat Richard Coke is elected governor
of Texas
1874 Reconstruction ends in Texas
1876 Constitution of 1876 is adopted
Redemption
Plan
Congressional Reconstruction
• Abolish slavery
• Declare secession illegal
• Cancel war debts
• Require loyalty oath
• Rule southern states with army
• Require new state constitutions
• Give African Americans the vote
• Repeal the Black Codes
• Remove Republicans from office
• Rewrite state Constitution
Action in Texas
Presidential Reconstruction
• Did not ratify 13th Amendment
• Declared secession illegal
• Cancelled wartime debts
• Enforced loyalty oath
• Enacted Black Codes
• Elected Confederate leaders
• Sent federal troops to Texas
• Adopted Constitution of 1869
• Increased power of state
government
• Secured African American rights
• Put Republicans in control
• Elected Richard Coke as
governor
• Adopted Constitution of 1876
• Reduced power of state
government
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Presidential Reconstruction (pages 324–327)
• Why was General Granger’s order on June 19,
1865, significant to Texans?
• What were the requirements for Reconstruction
under President Johnson’s plan?
Congressional Reconstruction (pages 328–331)
• What were the major provisions of the
Reconstruction Act?
• What changes to the state government were
included in the Constitution of 1869?
REVIEW QUESTIONS
continued
A New Constitution (pages 333–335)
• Why did many Democrats oppose Governor
Davis’s administration?
• What marked the end of Reconstruction
in Texas?
CRITICAL THINKING
Analyzing Information
Why were members of the U.S. Congress
upset by the Black Codes and the election by
Texans of former Confederate leaders? How
did Congress react to these events?
Compare and Contrast
How were the Constitutions of 1866, 1869,
and 1876 alike? How were they different?
CRITICAL THINKING
continued
Drawing Conclusions
Why did Republicans feel that it was necessary
to place Texas and other Southern states under
military rule?
Synthesizing Information
What social, economic, and political effects
did Reconstruction have in Texas?