Politics and Government. What makes Texas different from other states? Does Texas’ past history contribute to “Texas Pride?”

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