Texas and the Civil War

Free Enterprise and Inventions With free enterprise becoming a strong point in the economy of Texas, many individuals started making and selling their own inventions.

Joseph Glidden Joseph Glidden invented barbed wire. The rise of cattle ranching and selling and the amount of open land across Texas created a need for this item for ranchers to help keep track of their herds.

Gail Borden Without having electricity, people needed a way for perishable food items to last longer. Gail Borden invented a process for creating condensed milk. It allowed milk to be stored without refrigeration for long periods of time and kept people from becoming ill when they consumed it.

The Civil War and Texas The Civil War was the war between the Union and Confederacy over many political disagreements and the idea of slavery. While only 1 in 4 Texas families had slaves, the state as a whole supported the idea of slavery and felt as though it were necessary for the growth of Texas.

Civil War in Texas The war lasted from Most Texans supported the side of the Confederacy due to the idea and need for slavery for Texas to grow. Approximately 60,000 Texans fought in the Civil War

Not many battles took place in Texas Texas spent the majority of their time trying to help the Confederacy gain strength by moving towards New Mexico.

Changes due to the War Life changed drastically in Texas because of the war. – Women and children had more duties because the men were fighting. – Crops that were grown were chosen based on specific needs. (more corn, less cotton)

Changes due to the War – Shortages of commodities such as clothing, shoes and farm equipment. – Texas traded cotton with Mexico to get military supplies. – Some slaves left Texas to fight for the Union and their freedom.

The War is Over The Confederacy surrendered to the Union in April It wasn’t until June 19 th that Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston with the news of the surrender and that all slaves were to be freed. The date is currently celebrated as Juneteenth.

Freedman’s Bureau The Freedman’s Bureau was a U.S. federal government agency that aided distressed freed slaves. – Assisted with employment – Employment contracts – Clothing, food, water and health care

13 th Amendment to the Constitution Neither slavery or involuntary servitude should exist within the United States.

14 th Amendment to the Constitution Gave African Americans United States Citizenship.

15 th Amendment to the Constitution Gave African American men the right to vote.

Jim Crow Laws Morals and actions, and some laws that were put in place in certain areas that supported segregation of different races following the Civil War.