Early State Government Essential Questions: Why do people form governments?

Vocabulary Nativism (American’s 1st) – Biased toward favoring the interests of native-born American citizens Reservation (Natives’ Land ) – Land set aside for Native Americans

First Texas Governor James Pinckney Henderson was elected as the first governor of Texas in He took office in February 1846, once Texas was officially a state.

Why were Frances Cox Henderson's achievements so remarkable?

Early State Government The two major political parties in Texas were the Democrats and the Whigs. The Democrats were dominant because they supported annexation and the continuation of slavery. Southern Democrats, led by Jefferson Davis, wanted to allow slavery in all Western territories. Northern Democrats, led by Stephen A. Douglas, thought each territory should set its own policies regarding slavery. DemocratsWhigs

The ideals supported by the Democratic Party took root in Texas even before Texas gained independence. With strong leaders like Sam Houston and Andrew Jackson on their side, Democrats established themselves as the leading political force after statehood was achieved. It wasn't until 1848, though, that the party organized in Texas.

Early State Government The Whig Party was strong in New England and New York, but it was weak in Texas. Whigs supported abolition and generally represented businesses instead of farmers or workers.

The Democrats' chief opponent nationally, the Whig Party, struggled to maintain a foothold in Texas. The Whigs' opposition to annexation and the Mexican War ran counter to the views of most Texans. While Whig candidate Zachary Taylor won the 1848 presidential election, the party broke apart a few years later. Many former Whigs joined the newly forming Republican Party in the mid-1850s and continued to oppose Democrats. The Republicans' stance against slavery was unpopular in Texas.

Early State Government Other political parties included the Know-Nothing Party, which favored the interest of native-born American citizens. This Party wanted to prevent immigration from countries such as Ireland, Germany, and China.

The Know-Nothing Party went by the official name of the American Party. Its members opposed immigration and what they saw as growing foreign influence in government and society. The promotional poster seen here is adorned with American symbols such as the flag and eagle. Though Know-Nothing Lemuel D. Evans was elected to Congress from Texas, the party's few other wins in the state came in local offices.

Early State Government The Texas Constitution of 1845 gave Tejanos the right to vote. Other groups such as women, enslaved African Americans, and free African Americans had few or no rights.

Early State Government In 1850, the people of Texas were allowed to more fully participate in governing themselves. The governor and the people could elect more state officials, and Austin was voted by the people to be the capital.

Early State Government Clashes between settlers and Native Americans increased. In an effort to protect settlers, the federal government relocated many Texas Native Americans to reservations (Oklahoma) and established a line of forts along the Texas frontier.

Quiz A A 1. The first governor of the state of Texas was ____. A. James Pinckney Henderson B. Sam Houston C. Anson Jones D. Mirabeau Lamar 2. Southern Democrats, led by _____, wanted to allow slavery in all Western territories. A. Jefferson Davis B. Stephen A. Douglas C. Andrew Jackson D. Martin Van Buren

Quiz A D 3. Northern Democrats, led by _____, thought each territory should set its own policies regarding slavery. A. Stephen A. Douglas B. Anson Jones C. Abraham Lincoln D. Sam Houston 4. Many members of the Northern _____ Party were opposed to expanding slavery to the Western territories. A. Know-Nothing B. Democratic C. American D. Whig

Quiz A B 5. The _____ Party wanted to prevent immigration from countries such as Ireland, Germany, and China. A. Know-Nothing B. Democratic C. American D. Whig 6. The _____ Party was strong in Texas and throughout the South. A. Know-Nothing B. Democratic C. American D. Whig

Quiz D B 7. The Texas Constitution of 1845 gave _____ the right to vote. A. women B. free African Americans C. Native Americans D. Tejanos 8. To ensure the safety of its citizens, the government forcibly relocated Native Americans living in Texas to _____. A. prisons B. reservations C. forts D. concentration camps

Quiz D C 9. Native Americans in Texas were later moved to _____, north of the Red River. A. New Mexico B. the state of Oklahoma C. Oregon Country D. Indian Territory 10. Another federal effort to protect settlers from Native Americans was a string of _____ along the frontier. A. prisons B. reservations C. forts D. concentration camps