Texas History: Civil War and Reconstruction

10 Questions

What was the primary occupation of the individuals who dominated the Texas Secession Convention?

Slave owners and states' rights supporters

What was the outcome of the Battle of Galveston, fought on January 1, 1863?

The city of Galveston was defended by Confederate troops

What was the purpose of the Freedmen's Bureau, established during the Reconstruction Era?

To provide aid and support to former slaves

When was the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln, actually enforced in Texas?

June 19, 1865

What was the significance of the Texas Constitution of 1869?

It granted African Americans the right to vote

What motivated Texas to secede from the Union in 1861?

To preserve states' rights and slavery

What was the significance of the arrival of Union General Gordon Granger in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865?

He announced the emancipation of all slaves in the state

What marked the end of the Reconstruction Era in Texas?

The withdrawal of federal troops in 1870

What was the location of the naval battle fought on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War?

Galveston Harbor, Texas

What was the importance of Texas's geographic location during the Civil War?

It was an important route for Confederate supply lines and communication

Study Notes

Secession and the Ordinance of Secession

Texas seceded from the United States on March 2, 1861, after the election of Abraham Lincoln as President
The Ordinance of Secession was adopted on March 2, 1861, by the Texas Secession Convention
The ordinance declared Texas to be a sovereign and independent state, separating from the United States
The secession convention was dominated by slave owners and those who supported states' rights

Texas in the Confederacy

Texas joined the Confederate States of America (CSA) on March 23, 1861
The state played a significant role in the Confederacy, providing troops, supplies, and leadership
Texans fought in many battles, including the Battle of Galveston, and suffered heavy casualties
The state's economy suffered greatly during the war, with many cities and towns experiencing destruction and poverty

Reconstruction Era Politics

After the Civil War, Texas was occupied by federal troops and underwent Reconstruction (1865-1870)
The Reconstruction era saw the establishment of the Freedmen's Bureau, which helped former slaves transition to freedom
The Texas Constitution of 1869 granted African Americans the right to vote, but it was later revoked by the Democratic Party
The Reconstruction era in Texas was marked by violence, intimidation, and political instability

Juneteenth and Emancipation in Texas

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the day enslaved Africans in Texas were informed of their freedom (June 19, 1865)
General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to announce the emancipation of all slaves in the state
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, had not been enforced in Texas until Granger's announcement
Juneteenth became a significant cultural and historical event in Texas, symbolizing the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom

Battle of Galveston

The Battle of Galveston was fought on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War
Union forces attempted to capture the city of Galveston, which was a strategic port and commercial center
Confederate troops, led by General John B. Magruder, successfully defended the city, and the Union forces retreated
The battle was one of the few Confederate victories in the Trans-Mississippi Theater