1. Early State Government
Ch15 Lesson 2
Early State Government

2. Terms to Know

3. Drawing Conclusions
1. Which of Henderson’s experiences made him a good choice to be the first governor?

4. 1. Henderson served the republic as attorney general and secretary of state and attended the Convention of 1845.

5. Marking the Text
2. Circle the two main political parties in Texas. Highlight the positions of each party.

6. Democrats and Whigs Circle 2.
You should highlight the bulleted list showing the positions of the Democratic Party.
You should highlight this text showing the positions of the Whigs: “Many Whigs fought against the annexation of Texas tended to support moral reforms, such as ending slavery. This meant that many Whigs opposed expanding slavery into new territories.” .

7. Comparing and Contrasting
3. How did the Democratic and Whip parties differ on the issue of slavery?

8. 3. The Democrats were mostly for keeping slavery, while the Whigs were for ending it.

9. Defining
4. What is nativism?

10. 4. Nativism is a bias toward or favoring the interests of native-born American citizens.

11. Identifying
5. What was the main issue supported by the Know-Nothing Party?

12. 5. Stopping immigration from countries such as Ireland, Germany, and China was the main issue of the Know-Nothing Party.

13. Marking the Text
6. Circle four groups that did not have voting rights. Underline one group that did have voting rights.

14. Circle
6. Students should circle four of the following: “Women,” “Enslaved African Americans,” “free African Americans,” and “Native Americans.” Students should underline “Tejanos.”

15. Reading Progress Check
7. Why was the Democratic Party strong in Texas?

16. 7. The Democratic Party represented farmers and workers, it was proslavery, and it supported Texas annexation.

17. Explaining
8. How did Austin remain the capital after statehood?

18. 8. In 1850 the city received the majority of the votes to remain the capital of Texas. Another election was held on the same issue in 1870, and Austin won again.

19. Defining
9. What is a reservation?

20. 9. A reservation is land set aside for Native Americans.

21. Marking the Text
10. Circle the information that tells who raided northern and central Texas.

22. Circle
10. Students should circle:
“Most raids were carried out by groups who refused to move to the reservations.”

23. Reading Progress Check
11. How did politics in Texas become more democratic in 1850?

24. 11. The constitution was amended that year to give voters the power to elect more state officials than they had been able to before.

25. Complete on Your Own Writing/Check for Understanding Questions
Persuasive: If you were a farmer in Texas during early statehood, which political party do you think you would join? Why?
Expository: What happened to many Native American groups in Texas at this time? Why?