Texas supported the Confederates who lost the war, but that was not bad for Texas, as this result brought benefits to the state. How?
The Civil War started because the free and slave states did not find a compromise. The national government wanted to prohibit slavery. That is why seven slave states formed the Confederate States of America with the purpose of keeping slavery further (“Civil War Facts”).
After the election of Abraham Lincoln the Texans voted for part of the Union and later joined the Confederacy, thus they got involved in the Civil War – a four-year conflict that took away lives of many people and did not leave anyone untouched (Campbell, R. B.).
The Civil War was not as destructive in Texas as it was in other southern states as United States troops did not plan to occupy the state’s interior (Campbell, R. B.). But still the Texas paid a huge price for its support of the Confederate Army – most healthy, young and smart boys left their homes forever. Though just 25 percent of Texas families had slaves, nearly 75 percent of Texans supported the Confederate soldiers. Many Texas men travelled east to fight with other Confederates (Whitehurst, K.).
The war had a bad influence on every Texan. Though there were just a few battles on the state’s land, the Texas could not escape from the demolishing effects of the war. Almost at the beginning of the war, the state’s hugest port at Galveston was blocked by the Union troops (Whitehurst, K.). Because of the blockade, it was impossible to sell the cotton and buy the goods that were needed for the Texans. The number of imported goods from northern factories was significantly lessened and the transportation networks were destroyed (Whitehurst, K.). But the Texas traded with Mexico and that provided some relief. As the situation in Texas was not as bad as in the Deep South, many people arrived in this state looking for safer ground. They took with them all their property – valuables, money and slaves, of course. That is why Texas experienced a significant growth in the number of slaves during the Civil War. Texas was called the last citadel of slavery.
As most healthy and young men were away at war, women had to do the men’s work. They were pushed to take on new and uncommon for women's roles in the household, for instance, they did the work of a provider and a farmer. Moreover, they had to take care of their families without anybody’s help though the time was severe. Women who lost their husbands during the war continued working hard after the war ended (Whitehurst, K.).
The Texans lived in isolation and did not receive news from the battlefield. Even the information about the Union’s victory arrived in Texas ten days later on June 19, 1865. Now this day is celebrated as Juneteenth (Whitehurst, K.).
Though the civil war is always destructive for the country and influences badly on economic and moral aspects, it follows particular ideas and a certain outcome can become a step forward for the society. For Texas, Civil War had the following two positive results: it made free approximately two hundred thousand enslaved people and annihilated the ‘Peculiar Institution’ in the Lone Star State (Campbell, R. B.). Slavery was immoral and it slowed down the development of the country. The southern states, including Texas, sold cotton and sugarcane and the cash from these sales were enough for having a lavish life. The planters and other slave-owners did not want to develop industry, so, the southern states had an ailing economy. Thus, abolition contributed to economic development in Texas.
Works Cited List
Campbell, R. B. “Handbook of Civil War Texas”. tshaonline.org. Web. Accessed 17 February 2016 at https://tshaonline.org/handbook/civil-war
“Civil War Facts”. civilwar.org. Web. Accessed 17 February 2016 at http://www. /education/history/faq/
Whitehurst, K. “Civil War and Reconstruction1861-1870”. texasourtexas.texaspbs.org. Web. Accessed 17 February 2016 at http://texasourtexas.texaspbs.org/the-eras-of-texas/civil-war-reconstruction/
