Texas State Government Essential Question: Identify the different points of view of political parties on annexation. Key People: J. Pinckney Henderson, Andrew Jackson, Francis Cox Henderson, Frederick L. Olmsted

48th Texas Governor Greg Abbott A New Constitution Provided for the basic governing of the state Resembled the Louisiana constitution Called for an elected governor every 2 years Provided for: A two-house legislature House of Representatives— elected 2 year term Senate—elected 4 year term Protected system of slavery 48th Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Legislators At Work J. Pinckney Henderson elected first governor, served 1 term His wife Francis Cox Henderson was first woman to practice law in Texas Landscape architect Frederick Olmsted was impressed with the way the legislature worked 1st Texas Governor J. Pinckney Henderson

Democratic Political Party By 1850s, political parties had become organized. The Democratic Party, strong in the South, represented farmers and laborers (small business owners). Very popular Favored TX annexation The party of Southern favorite, former U.S. president Andrew Jackson Later split into 2 groups: Northern and Southern Democrats

Whig & Republican Political Parties The Whig Party represented banking and large business (or commercial) interests, and few Texans supported it because it opposed expanding slavery to new territories and annexation of Texas. The Republican Party was anti-slavery and therefore had no support in Texas nor the South.

American “Know Nothing” Political Party Some Texans joined the American Party, or Know-Nothings, whose members tried to keep new immigrants and Catholics from voting or holding public office. Supported slavery Secretive politically…”I Know Nothing!” Nativism—favoring interests of native-born American citizens

No Voice in Politics Women had no rights to vote or participate in politics Slaves and Native Americans had no rights Free African Americans were denied the right to vote and join political parties Filed petitions to remain free Went to court to protect their freedoms

Federal Aid for Reservations To stop the conflicts b/w settlers and Native Americans, the U.S. government placed many Natives on reservations—unsuccessful, Natives… Not given enough land to survive Refused to move onto reservations Many settlers opposed reservation system b/c many raids were made by Natives living on reservations

3-2-1 Summary Write 3 Big Ideas or Facts/Details of what you learned. (What did it say?) Write 2 examples, applications, or inferences about what you learned. (What did it mean?) Write 1 question you might have or 1 conclusive statement about what you learned. (What does it mean?)