Questions and Answers
What is the main reason why early petitions by the Republic of Texas to join the United States were rejected?
There was controversy over Texas becoming a slave state.
Name the two major ideological groups in Texas during the era of Reconstruction.
Confederate sympathizers and Republicans.
Approximately how long did one-party Democratic rule last in Texas?
100 years.
Between 1900 and 1950, what was the primary factor that accelerated the demographic shift from a rural society to an urban society in Texas?
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How did the Democratic Party deal with the challenge presented by progressive groups around the beginning of the twentieth century?
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Polls show that a Texan is MOST likely to identify as a
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A belief that government is a positive instrument for change and a means for promoting the general welfare of all citizens defines which political subculture?
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Which political subculture was a natural extension of the practice of slavery?
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Classical liberalism focuses on the protection of
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The theory of popular sovereignty holds that all power
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Which of the following is NOT a power of the Texas legislature?
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Under the Texas constitution, the power to tax resides with
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Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution contains the ________ clause establishing the U.S. Constitution as the law of the land that no federal or state law may violate.
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What does the Texas Constitution contain that the U.S. Constitution does not?
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Article 1 of the Texas Constitution covers the
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Discussion of the legislative department is in Article __ of the Texas Constitution.
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Why does the Texas Constitution create a fragmented executive branch?
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Discussion of the executive department is in Article __ of the Texas Constitution.
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Discussion of the judicial department is in Article __ of the Texas Constitution.
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Why might the partisan election of judges be cause for concern?
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The system that provides for a sharing of powers between the national government and the state governments is known as
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Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution contains this statement? 'The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.'
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How long is the Texas legislative session?
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Fundamentally, the Supreme Court decisions in Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims were based on the principle of
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The drawing of legislative districts to favor one political party over another is termed
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Who submits a recommended budget to the Texas legislature?
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The fact that Texas has a limited government with restricted powers and low per capita government spending demonstrates the strength of the ___________ political subculture in the state.
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Which of the following statements regarding the population of Texas is false?
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Which most accurately describes the relationship between state constitutions and the U.S. Constitution?
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The Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
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According to the U.S. Constitution's national supremacy clause,
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The principal historic event shaping the 1866 Texas Constitution was
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The Texas Grange was important in shaping Texas government because it
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What BEST explains why Texas turned from a Democratic stronghold in the 1930s to a Republican stronghold in the 2000s?
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Study Notes
Early Republic and Statehood
- Early petitions by the Republic of Texas for U.S. annexation were rejected due to concerns over Texas becoming a slave state.
Reconstruction Era Politics
- Major ideological groups in Texas during Reconstruction: Confederate sympathizers and Republicans.
- One-party Democratic rule in Texas lasted approximately 100 years.
Demographic Changes
- The oil industry was the primary factor that accelerated Texas's shift from a rural to an urban society between 1900 and 1950.
Democratic Party Adaptations
- The Democratic Party addressed progressive group challenges in the early 20th century by adopting key progressive ideas.
Political Identity
- Texans are most likely to identify as conservatives.
- The moralistic political subculture views government as a positive force for change and welfare promotion.
- Traditionalistic political subculture relates directly to the legacy of slavery.
Political Ideologies
- Classical liberalism emphasizes the protection of a free market economy.
- The theory of popular sovereignty asserts that all governmental power derives from the people.
Texas Legislature Powers
- The Texas legislature cannot appoint judges.
- Legislative tax powers are assigned to the legislature under the Texas Constitution.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 6 of the U.S. Constitution features the supremacy clause, ensuring federal law dominance over state laws.
- The Texas Constitution uniquely includes an equal rights amendment not found in the U.S. Constitution.
- Article 1 of the Texas Constitution comprises the Bill of Rights.
Government Structure
- Legislative department discussions are included in Article 3 of the Texas Constitution.
- Article 4 pertains to the executive department.
- Article 5 addresses the judicial department.
- Fragmented executive structure in Texas aims to diminish the governor’s power.
Judicial Concerns
- Partisan elections for judges may lead to politicized judicial decisions.
Federalism
- Federalism defines the power-sharing system between national and state governments.
- The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.
Legislative Procedures
- The Texas legislative session spans 140 days.
- Key Supreme Court rulings in Baker v. Carr and Reynolds v. Sims established the principle of one person, one vote.
Redistributing Political Power
- Political gerrymandering is the practice of drawing districts to benefit one political party.
- The Legislative Budget Board is responsible for submitting budget recommendations to the Texas legislature.
Political Culture
- Texas exhibits a limited government structure reflecting the strength of an individualistic political subculture.
- A false statement about Texas's demographic history is the claim that the state transitioned from urban to rural during the 20th century.
State and Federal Relationship
- The U.S. Constitution supersedes state constitutions regarding legal authority.
- The Tenth Amendment confirms that any power not given to the federal government is reserved for the states.
Historical Context
- The 1866 Texas Constitution was shaped significantly by Texas’s restoration to the Union post-Civil War.
- The Texas Grange influenced the state government by promoting a lean, efficient government focused on "retrenchment and reform."
Political Evolution
- The shift from a Democratic stronghold in the 1930s to a Republican one in the 2000s can be attributed to the Democratic Party's increasing liberalism over time.
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Description
Explore key concepts and historical events in Texas politics with these flashcards. Each card covers significant facts, ideological groups, and pivotal moments in the state's political history. Perfect for students and anyone interested in understanding Texas's political landscape.
