CONSERVATISM IN TEXAS AND TEXAS GOVERNORS

FOLLOWING RECONSTRUCTION The end of Reconstruction and the return of "home rule" by conservative whites in Texas kicked off a period of Democratic Party dominance that would last though the rest of the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth century. The Democrats of this period constituted a different party than the present-day Democratic Party.

The party was dominated by white interests dedicated to maintaining segregation, using racial appeals, patronage, and the suppression of black voters to maintain their hold on elections and government. An alternative political party that grew out of a group of farmer and rancher cooperatives known as the Farmer's Alliance. The Alliance became politically active in the state in 1878.

The movement joined with other reform groups to become the People's Party in 1891, and afterwards the "Populists," as they were often called, won elected public offices in Texas and other states. The Populists attracted Democratic voters and activists on reform issues. As a result, Populist successes aggravated divisions in the dominant Democratic Party.

Texas remained intact as the nineteenth century ended and the new century began. The Populist insurgency proclaimed tensions that would eventually split the Democrats in Texas and in the nation.

CONSERVATISM IN TEXAS Texas was a one party (Democratic) state since Texas has always been a conservative state. In 1952 some Democrats supported the Republican Dwight Eisenhower for President.

1960s The Democratic Party supported civil rights, affirmative action, and other liberal programs. The Conservative Democrats didn’t support these programs, so many of them began voting republican John Tower was elected as the first Republican Senator from Texas since reconstruction. Phil Gramm won his seat in Congress as a Democrat, then switched parties. He then was elected to the Senate as a Republican.

CONSERVATISM IN TEXAS 1978 William Clements became Texas’ 1 st Republican Governor since Reconstruction 2000 George W Bush became President and Rick Perry became Governor.

All top political offices in the state were Republican. Phil Gramm, Kay Baily Hutchison, Tom Delay and Dick Armey represented Texas in the US Congress. Not only did people in the Democrat Party change to the Republican Party, but people also migrated to Texas from other states and brought their Republican views with them.

ANN RICHARDS EXPLAINS HOW THE 2 PARTY SYSTEM BEGINS IN TEXAS 23:29 – 24:28

EVANGELISM In the 1970s, conservative Christians, many of whom had placed themselves in a distinct subculture, began returning to the cultural mainstream. Initially, they met with only limited success, and many observers ignored their entrepreneurial creativity and strong resolve to change America. Also, few connected evangelicals’ activism in politics with activism in other spheres, even though evangelicals regard these as more important. Theirs is an ambitious agenda: to bring Christian principles to bear on a range of social issues.It is a vision for moral leadership, a form of public influence that is shaped by ethics and faith while also being powerful and respected. In truth, their vision is much less–and at the same time significantly more–than skeptics and critics think. To the extent that the activities of evangelical leaders point to a cohesive vision, it is not a political or cultural agenda but one grounded in religious commitment.

Fundamentally, evangelicals feel compelled to share with others what they believe is the best way to make peace with God. For them, one’s relationship with the divine is primary; all other issues are secondary. This is not new, and, in fact, it is a much smaller vision for society, one that involves changing one person at a time. What is unique to the current moment is the number of high ranking leaders who have experienced that change themselves, either before they rose to power or while in public leadership. For many of them, the evangelical imperative to bring faith into every sphere of one’s life means they cannot expunge faith from the way they lead, as some would prefer. In this way, the evangelical vision is sweeping and significantly more comprehensive than outside observers realize.

Evangelical political leaders have incorporated their faith into the way they lead.

1979 to present day TEXAS GOVERNORS

BILL CLEMENTS January 16, January 18, 1983 January 20, January 15, 1991 First Republican Governor elected since 1874 # 42 #44 Republican

MARK WHITE January 18, January 20, 1987 #43 Democrat

BILL CLEMENTS January 16, January 18, 1983 January 20, January 15, 1991 First Republican Governor elected since 1874 # 42 #44 Republican

ANN RICHARDS January 15, January 17, 1995 #45 Democrat

ANN RICHARDS 17:00 – 21:00

GEORGE W BUSH January 17, December 21, rd President of the United States 2001–2000 #46 Republican

GEORGE G BUSH biography biography

RICK PERRY December 21, 2000 – to present time #47 Republican He has been Governor longer than any other Governor in Texas. 14 years

Wendy DavisGreg Abbott #48? Democrat Republican Texas State SenatorTexas Attorney General Nov. 4, 2014 Election Day Governor

QUESTIONS Why was Texas a one party state? Explain the change of a one party state to a 2 party state. Give reasons why it is a 2 party state. Do you think Texas will be led by Democrats or Republicans in the next 10 years? Explain your answer.