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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.