Part 4 Texas after Reconstruction

Texas After Reconstruction The End of Reconstruction effected Texas in many ways: Politically: Entrance of the “one-party rule”—Democrats ruled Government participation among African Americans reduces State government size and spending were limited Economically: Restored power to the Planters Supported a rise in Tenant and Sharecropping farming Freemen: Lost many Civil Rights Were segregated under “Jim Crow” laws Lost most political power within the state

Texas Constitution of 1876 Democrats want a new constitution—call the Constitutional Convention of 1875 90 delegates meet, only 15 are Republican—only 6 of those are Freedmen

Constitution of 1876 Provisions: Governor’s term limit reduced from 4 to 2 years (limits power of appointment) Legislature meets biannually instead of annually Government deficit spending limited to $200,000 and require voter approval Reduced government funding of Public Education and eliminate the mandatory school requirement New Constitution approved in February 1876 and still governs today.

Constitution of 1876 Besides creating a new constitution, Democrats also reversed Davis’ policies Removed most Republicans from office Continued to limit government spending 100 years of Democratic rule

Segregation and Jim Crow With Democrats in control, African American political power fades as do their civil rights. “Redeemers” –Southerners who tried to restore the south to its prewar days. They would: Limit the size of the government and government spending Reduce or eliminate African American political participation Advocate for social separation and later forced segregation of the races in all public places Democrats would impose laws to “force segregation” which became known as Jim Crow Laws

Who was Jim Crow Rice’s Jim Crow song-and-dance routine was an astounding success and widely accepted by White audiences as representing the typical African American as a singing, dancing and grinning fool. The popularity of Rice’s show aided the spread of Jim Crow as a racial slur. However, by the end of the 19th Century, Jim Crow was less likely to be used to describe African Americans; instead, it was being used to describe laws and customs which oppressed African Americans and all people of color. These words are from the song, "Jim Crow," as it appeared in sheet music written by Thomas Dartmouth "Daddy" Rice. The creator of the character Jim Crow. 1828 – Rice, a White man, was one of the first performers to wear blackface makeup and appeared on stage as "Jim Crow" -- an exaggerated, highly stereotypical African American character "Come listen all you galls and boys, I'm going to sing a little song, My name is Jim Crow. Weel about and turn about and do jis so, Eb'ry time I weel about I jump Jim Crow."

Segregation and Jim Crow Jim Crow Laws always applied to African Americans, but they were often expanded to include Mexican and Asian Americans, too.

Tenant Farming With Reconstruction over, Texas again turned to agriculture as its economical industry. However, Freedpeople couldn’t afford to buy land, so they became “tenant farmers” or “sharecroppers” Tenant Farmers essentially only rented the land from the Land Owner and used their own mules, equipment, and seed. They would then pay the Land Owner a percentage of the profits from their crops. Sharecroppers used the Land Owner’s mules, equipment, and seeds and only received a small percentage of the crops profit in exchange for those items

Tenant Farming Sharecropping became a way for large landowners to keep their labor costs very low after the end of slavery. The highest number of tenant farmers were in areas where slavery flourished before the war. By 1880, around 40% of Texas farmers were sharecroppers. During poor crop years, both the Tenant Farmer and Sharecropper would be required to borrow against future crops to pay the Land Owner—tying them to the land.