Why Texas Is The Most Important Star Out Of The Fifty.

The recent study of these Northern counties, John R. Lundberg’s article, disputes the prominent narrative for why the North Texas counties voted against secession during the secession referendum. Most historians, for example, Buenger, cite the reasons for voting for or against secession stems from the growing Indian raids on the exposed frontier. Also, Houston’s failure to protect the settlers from those

Beyond the Alamo: Forging Mexican Ethnicity in San Antonio, is an analysis of the Anglo-Mexican

Detra, I can relate with you as I am also not a Texan native or know much about Texas government and its history. When I hear about Texas first thoughts that comes to mind is either their love for their football team, bbq, or women’s big hair do’s. That’s what I related to “everything is bigger in Texas” with, however as I have read it also relates to their pride, their state size and their growing population. I also never understood why Texans are extremely proud people then again as I have been reading and as you have mentioned they have had an interesting history and have shown that they will fight for what they believe in no matter the cost.

When most people think of Texas, they immediately think of how big the state is, and sometimes the misconception is that it is the biggest state when it actually is not. However, there is more to the state than its size. Texas is populated with a majority of racial minorities, governed by the most limited government that follows a very minimalist model. In Erica Grieder’s Big, Hot, Cheap, and Right: What American Can Learn from the Strange Genius of Texas, she points out that the genius behind Texas is the model it lives which calls for low taxes and minimal services, a limited government constructed from prior disdain of the federal government, and the creation of a business friendly state that helps stimulate the growth in economy and in population; and though each carry their own disadvantages, Texas seems to find a way to teach America something.

This image tells of the history of Texas. It tells of the hard-fought battles which lead to the rise of The Lone Star Republic in 1836, which was finally recognized by President Jackson in his last day in office in early 1837. A republic of only 40,000 people, which was thought by many to not hold its independence for very long.

Texas has a rich history that stretches as far back as 1824, where Mexico provided land grants to encourage its settlement. Such influences had immeasurable effect on its constitution and culture. Texas has been influenced throughout its history, it applies a separate set of rules to follow in its own constitution. It limits its own legislature and constantly argues against the power of national government, which reflexes Texas’ own unique perspective about its history and culture. Texas’ prevailing traditionalistic political culture has resisted social change through legislation, the argument of state’s rights and culturally.

Texas is a unique place with a colorful history of legendary cowboys and tall tales. The state stretches over the middle section of the southern United States. Texas has experienced shifts in governmental control within the United States. French, Spanish, Mexican, and Confederacy, and all having once been in charge, not to mention the time Texas spent as an independent republic. Texas has had many battles and wars within its borders, resulting in seven different constitutions within a span of fifty years between each document.

The book addresses the very often overlooked and critical elements of the state’s history which include the methodology obtained by marginalized Texans in their pursuit of more just, equal and humane society. Minority groups that challenged established capitalists, industrialists or racists on pragmatic grounds frequently triumphed. The prices the Texans generally compromised with inadequate economic, social and political reform.

When President of Mexico, Antonio Lopez Santa Anna, abolished the Constitution of 1824 and turned the government towards centralism; Texians and Tejanos rebel to bring back the Constitution of 1824. However, before they can begin their fight to Goliad and San Antonio, the men need a leader; someone with great fame and popularity in Texas. The man they choose is Stephen F. Austin, who has much renown in the region. Austin has an outstanding knowledge in many areas, whom the people of Texas will always follow. They are always willing to listen to his advice on certain situations and topics. Austin’s history is what makes him the great man that people still believe and love. Today, he is seen as the Father of Texas because his work and dedication lead to its future growth.

Throughout Texas history, especially in the 1920s, the state had many impediments barring a normal life from anyone who was not anglo-american. From politics to churches to even bars, life was purposely made hard for anyone who was different from this standard of purity or whiteness. However, despite the overwhelming culture of white supremacy in Texas that impeded any opposing cultural differences, there remained pockets of differing ideological backgrounds and attitudes. Consequently, clusters of progressive communities became normal in Texan society, exemplifying the deepening trends of discrimination into Texas history and the lack of control anglos held on the southern portion of Texas.

Texas’s liberty is an essential part of our culture and who we are today. The heroic soldiers fought long and hard for Texas’s liberty and their sacrifice shouldn’t be forgotten. Our history is also important to remember. Learning about our independence from Mexico in school is essential so we know how Texas became what it is today.

In Ivans article, she explains that culturally she identifies Texas as resembling a mix between people from “Arkansas” and people from “Alaska” (Ivan 783). Ivan perpetuates the fact that Texans much rather identify as “Texans rather than Americans abroad” (Ivan 785). Additionally Texas Tribune took a poll on respondents on whether if they considered themselves “Texas first and Americans second” (Blank 2). The tribune found that surprisingly twenty-seven percent considered themselves Texas first and Americans second. However when polling only democrat and liberals an average of eighty-eight percent of men and women identified as Americans first and an Average of thirty-six percent of Republicans identified as Texans first. The two previous topics; Homophobia and Racism strongly relate to Texas identification due to the fact of the “old south” stereotype and proven research of the two hate crimes constantly

If you were from Texas, you thought of yourself as a Texan before an American. Being a Texan was more important to them. According to Document D, John Wesley Rabb wrote letters home as a soldier and one of them had this, “I wanto be home so bad…. I hear that the Yanks are in Texas”.

Sam Houston was one of the founding fathers of Texas known as a soldier, statesman and man of integrity. Spending most of his youth in Tennessee, he was impatient and reckless with a sense of adventure which lead him to the Cherokee country. His time spent with family and the Cherokee Indians is where he developed his practical, level-headed and grounded character. Houston’s passion for peace and support for the Cherokee’s came from having seen the effects of war and strife on the Indians. The values instilled from these early experiences are prevalent in Houston’s political and personal viewpoints throughout his life and career.

Texas has all three political cultures all over the state, but when people outside of