Politics and Government
What makes Texas different from other states?
Does Texas’ past history contribute to “Texas Pride?”
1836 - 1846
The Republic pro-Houston (Sam Houston -- hero of
Battle of San Jacinto -- wanted U.S. statehood)
anti-Houston ( Lamar -- wanted Texas to be separate nation)
Final annexation in 1845 -- Texas became 28th state
Peculiarities: Texas could divide itself into as
many as 5 states Texas can keep its public lands Texas can secede from union
1846 - 1864
Early Statehood and Secession 1861 -- Texas seceded from Union
and admitted into Confederate States of America
Politics were militaristic responsible for defense of frontier
and Mexican border
1865 - 1885
Post-Civil War Texas Constitution adopted in 1869 E. J. Davis elected governor -
irregularities corruption under his
administration
Texas readmitted to Union governed by civil authority
all power centralized in Office of Governor
legacy -- strong anti-Republican reaction and Davis ousted
1876 -- new Constitution written and ratified to reflect new ideologycut expendituresdecentralized state governmentlimited flexibility of politiciansstill in use today
political consequences one-party dominance Democratic party
1886 - 1913
Progress and Reform political adjustments spearheaded by James Stephen
Hogg 1892 -- Democratic Party split into 3 factionsregular Democrats controlled
Democratic convention in Houston (supporters of Hogg)
conservative wing (anti-Hogg) formed coalition with Black Republicans to oppose Hogg forces
Jeffersonian (Skunk) Democrats -- Hogg’s programs not liberal enough -- populists
1914 - 1918
Farmer Jim (Prohibitionist era) James E. Ferguson
antiprohibitionist (wet) programs for Texas tenant
farmers platform financial irregularities in
Administration
Impeached and convicted of 21 charges Removed from public office and barred
from holding public office in Texas again 18th Amendment ratified -- U.S. and
Texas dry
1919 - 1928
World War I, the Twenties, and Return of Farmer Jim WWI
increased military presence in Texas due to Zimmerman note (Germany encouraged Mexico to invade Texas)
Important military training area permanent military presence
1921 -- Pat M. Neff become governor Ku Klux Klan (pro-white; rural,
southern, fundamentalist morality)
Klan influence -- its power was a major political issue from 1921 - 1925
1924 - Miriam A. “Ma” Ferguson -- anti-Klan gubernatorial candidate Successfully passed legislation to
end the Klan as an effective political force in Texas
first female governor
1929 - 1939
The Great Depression Texas hit hard by economic
depression East Texas oil discovery (owned by
independents)
1946 - 1949
Post World War II 1948 Senatorial campaign -- Coke
Stevenson vs. Lyndon B. Johnsonmost controversial campaign
and election in state’s historyelection fraud charges
closest election (87 vote-difference)
Jim Wells county, Box 13, late in reporting and resulted in Johnson’s vote being revised upward
LBJ declared winner by election fraud
1950’s
Allan Shivers elected governor in 1950 Major issue -- tidelands
how to measure jurisdictional boundary3 leagues (Spanish measure =
10 miles)3 miles (English measure)$$$ at stake in royalty revenues
Tidelands issues drove Presidential campaign Shivers-Daniels conservative Democrats endorsed
Eisenhower (R)
Shivercratssplit ticket voting (R for
President; D at state level) Ralph Yarborough
straight D ticket -- Loyalist Democrats of Texas
Results were: tideland issue resolved in Texas’
favor split D party into 2 factions -- liberal
and conservative
1954 -- Shivers elected for 3 terms scandals surfaced regarding
contributions from lobbyists 1959 -- Texas enacts lobby-control
legislation
1960’s
LBJ first Texas President John B. Connally elected governor 3
terms 1969 -- Preston Smith elected governor
1970’s
Insurance and banking scandals many elected politicians implicated; Gov.
Smith and Lt. Gov found not guilty; Speaker Mutscher and others convicted
of conspiracy to accept a bribe
1972 -1974 -- Brisco elected governor attempts at new constitution and
right-to-work provisions failed 1979 -- William P. Clements 1st R
governor since 1874 received support from conservative
Democrats
1980’s
1982 -- Mark White (D) elected governor strong support from teachers HB72
(1984) -- educational reform:increased teachers’ salariesequalized school districts
income
teachers pass a competency test
no pass, no play -- course failure, no extracurricular activities for 6-weeks
1986 -- Clements elected again
1990’s
1990 -- diversified election Ann Richards-- 2nd female governor Dan Morales -- AG -- 1st Hispanic 1st avowed homosexual to Texas
legislature
1992 -- Kay Bailey Hutchison -- 1st female U.S. senator
2 Republicans in Congress
Legacy: Texas became a two-party state
1994 -- George W. Bush (R) elected governor
1996 -- Republicans won majority of seats in Texas legislature
1998 -- Republicans win every statewide elected office
1999 -- Democrats retained control of HR
2000’s
2000 W goes to White House Rick Perry assumes governorship
2002 – Perry vs. Sanchez (first Hispanic Gubernatorial candidate) Perry elected governor both chambers of Texas legislature are
Republican
2003 – Redistricting in Texas 2005 – Public school funding and
property tax relief 2007 – Democrats gained seats in Texas
Senate and House Republicans still majority
Top Related