How was Texas’ social, economic, and political systems impacted by being part of the US? How might have this change impacted the state’s decision to secede from the Union prior to the Civil War.
The incorporation of Texas into the United States had significant impacts on the state’s social, economic, and political systems. Texas was annexed as a slave state in 1845, and this led to an increase in the slave trade and a rise in the number of slaves in Texas. The economy of the state was largely agrarian, and cotton was the dominant crop. Texas became a major exporter of cotton to the United States and Europe, and this led to the development of a plantation economy that relied heavily on slave labor.
The political system of Texas was also influenced by its membership in the United States. Texas was a one-party state for much of its history, with the Democratic Party being the dominant political force. This was largely due to the fact that Texas was a southern state, and the Democratic Party was the party of the south. However, the state also had a significant Republican Party presence, especially after the Civil War.
The decision of Texas to secede from the Union prior to the Civil War was influenced by a number of factors. One of the primary reasons was the issue of slavery. Many Texans believed that slavery was necessary for the economic survival of the state, and they feared that the federal government would try to abolish slavery. The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, who was seen as an opponent of slavery, further fueled fears of abolition.
Another factor that contributed to Texas’ decision to secede was the state’s sense of independence and autonomy. Texans had a strong sense of their own identity and culture, and they believed that they should have the right to govern themselves. Many Texans felt that the federal government was infringing on their rights and freedoms, and they saw secession as a way to protect their way of life.
The incorporation of Texas into the United States had significant impacts on the state’s social, economic, and political systems. These changes, coupled with the issue of slavery and the state’s sense of independence, likely played a role in Texas’ decision to secede from the Union prior to the Civil War.
Works Cited
Fehrenbach, T. R. (2017). Lone star: A history of Texas and the Texans. Da Capo Press.
Campbell, R. W. (2018: 2024 – Write My Essay For Me | Essay Writing Service For Your Papers Online). Gone to Texas: A history of the Lone Star State. Oxford University Press.
Howell, K. S. (2021). Texas slavery and secession: A history of the Lone Star State’s migration, slavery, and Civil War. Rowman & Littlefield.
