Chapter 15: Texas Joins the UnionSection 3: Political and Economic Issues

Bellwork

What political parties can you name?

Political Parties

•Political Party—groups of people who help elect government officials and influence government policies

Political Parties

•Republican Party

•Democratic Party

Political Parties

•Political parties did not exist in the Republic of Texas

•Texans join political parties organized in the U.S.

•Two-party system

Political Parties• Democratic Party

– 1840s-50s: most popular political party in Texas

– Represented small business owners & farmers

– Most supported annexation

Donkey: Symbol of the Democratic Party

Political Parties

•Whig Party

–Favored banking and large business

–Against annexation of Texas

–Divided over slavery

Political Parties

• Republican Party

– Formed by northern Whigs

– Keep slavery out of territories

– Little supportElephant: Symbol of the Republican Party

Political Parties

•Know-Nothings

–Proslavery

–Anti-Catholic

–Anti-immigrant

Early Governors of Texas

• James Pinckney Henderson

– First governor of Texas

– Led troops in war against Mexico

James Pinckney Henderson

Early Governors of Texas

• George T. Wood

– Elected 1847

– Frontier defense and border disputes

– Defeated in re-election bid George T. Wood

Early Governors of Texas

• Peter H. Bell

– Border disputes

– Re-elected in 1851

– Resigned before end of term

Peter Hansborough Bell

Early Governors of Texas

• J.W. Henderson

–Lt. Gov. under Bell

–Served as governor for 28 days James W. Henderson

Early Governors of Texas

• Elisha M. Pease

– Popular governor first elected in 1853, who was a leader in education and helped eliminate state debt

– Re-elected 1855Elisha M. Pease

Early Governors of Texas

• Hardin Runnels

– Elected 1855

– Defeated Sam Houston for governor in only election Houston ever lost

Hardin Runnels

Early Governors of Texas

• Sam Houston

– Elected 1859

– Served as army commander, president, senator, and governor

Sam Houston

Debts & Land Issues

• Governors responsible for paying debt and developing land policy

• 1845: Republic’s debt $10 million

• Annexation resolution: Texas responsible for debt

• 1850: Debt at $12 million

Debts & Land Issues

• Texas gave up million of acres of land in what are now five other states in exchange for money to reduce its debt.

• Debt paid off by 1855

• Texas still had million of acres of land

Debts & Land Issues

•Gave land to settlers

•Set aside for education and improvements

•By 1898 there were no unclaimed public lands left in Texas.