Unit 1 Exam- Part 2 Texas Govt 2306
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School
Central Texas College *
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Course
2306
Subject
Political Science
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by ColonelDolphin367
Question
The current Texas Constitution (adopted in 1876) is, very much, a product of the specific time and place of its writing. Please detail the most significant contextual events leading up to the 1875 Constitutional Convention, the subsequent adoption of the 1876 Constitution, and the impact those events had on the Constitution. Additionally, detail the various influences/prevailing mindset that determined the size and scope of government Texans would erect in 1876 as the governing document for their state.
Hint: The included context should not date back further than the post-Civil-War era.
My response
The adoption of the 1876 Texas Constitution was significantly shaped by the temporal and geographical context in which it was formulated and the contextual events that preceded the 1875 Constitutional Convention. Various factors played a pivotal role in determining the constitutional framework and the extent of governmental authority in Texas in 1876. Following the conclusion of the Civil War, the state of Texas, akin to other Southern states, underwent a period of Reconstruction aimed at rehabilitating and reintegrating the former Confederate states into the Union. However, the policies implemented in Texas during this era, known as Radical Reconstruction, were characterized by military rule and a concerted effort to grant civil liberties to previously enslaved individuals. The influence of these policies had far-reaching consequences and set the stage for subsequent developments in the state.
During the 1870s, the prevailing sentiment in Texas revolved around the repudiation of the radical tenets of Reconstruction. The state's populace, including individuals who had previously supported secession, expressed their opposition to the perceived dominance of the federal government over state affairs. This widespread resistance to Radical Reconstruction formed the backdrop against which the 1875 Constitutional Convention was convened, ultimately shaping the adoption of the 1876 Constitution. Moreover, the contours of the constitution were heavily influenced by the prevalence of traditional agrarian interests, most notably exemplified by the Grange movement in Texas. The Grange, an organization representing the agricultural sector, sought to safeguard the welfare of rural communities and espoused principles such as "economy"
and "efficiency." These principles permeated the mindset of the convention delegates, leading to the formulation of a constitution that curtailed governmental powers and emphasized a limited purview.
Furthermore, the imperative for future regulation of railroads emerged as an influential contextual factor in the adoption of the 1876 Constitution. The burgeoning expansion of railroads
in Texas and their escalating significance necessitated the incorporation of provisions within the constitutional framework to address their governance and oversight. This acknowledgment reflected the evolving economic landscape and underscored the recognition of the government's role in facilitating infrastructure development. In sum, the rejection of Radical Reconstruction, the sway exerted by agrarian interests and the Grange movement, the pursuit of stability and
restrained governance, as well as the exigency of regulating railroads collectively molded the fabric of the 1876 Constitution. These contextual events and prevailing mindsets during the era profoundly impacted the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, which continues to shape the governing structure of Texas to this day. For instance, a prevailing mindset among Texans during the 1870s was a strong rejection of the radical features of Reconstruction. This opposition
stemmed from a desire to restore autonomy to the state and limit the federal government's influence. Another influential factor was the prominence of agrarian interests and a limited government mindset. Texas was predominantly an agrarian society, and the agrarian sector held considerable influence. The events leading up to the 1875 Constitutional Convention were marked by a desire for stability after the tumultuous period of Reconstruction. Texans sought a government that would provide stability, maintain law, and order, and promote traditional values.
Correct Answer:
The grade assigned will be earned based upon how much of the following information was included in the submitted answer:
Key Considerations:
*Federal oversight following the Civil War and Radical Republicanism (including the 1869 Radical Republican Texas Constitution)
*The governorship of E.J. Davis and and disenfranchised former Confederates voters. As well as the disenfranchised voters struggle to reclaim power in Texas politics. *The Richard Coke/E. J. Davis Gubernatorial election and the events that followed. *The 1875 Constitutional Convention and the dominant forces calling for such convention.
*Influences: conservative identity, fierce individualism, desire for small government, historic struggle with the Mexican government and the U.S. Federal government.
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