1. Reform & Railroads, Part 1 ► Essential Questions:  Identify and define characteristics of the Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads Era of Texas  Explain the significance of 1876 ► Main Idea: A new constitution changed the political and social scene of Texas in the late 1800s.

2. A New Era Brings New Concerns ► Cotton, Cattle, and Railroads Era ► During the late 1800s, Texas experienced a lot of growth. ► Railroads expanded, farming/agriculture boomed, and industries and populations grew. ► State had a healthy economy along with new problems and concerns Main Street Waco, Texas in late 1800s

3. Democrats Rewrite the Constitution ► In 1874 Democrats returned to power in Texas ► They wrote a new state constitution in 1876 – this is the state’s current constitution (400+ amendments have since been added).  Reduced governor’s powers  Authorized legislature to meet every 2 years  Limited legislators’ terms  Lowered state employees’ salaries  Guaranteed low taxes  Reduced money spent on education

4. Democrats Control State Politics ► Most elected leaders after Reconstruction were conservative Democrats who cut public spending, taxes, and services such as education and medical care for the mentally ill. ► The Texas Republican Party, which African Americans supported, had little power. They were continually threatened for trying to exercise their rights.

5. Spending Cuts Reduce State Debt ► The large public debt at the end of Reconstruction was $3 million and continued to increase. ► Governor Oran M. Roberts took office in 1879 and balanced the budget by cutting pensions for veterans and school funding.

6. Texas Lawlessness ► Lawlessness was a major problem in Texas after the Civil War as many unemployed people flocked to the Texas frontier. ► Some turned to robbing trains, stagecoaches, and banks, as well as cattle rustling and horse theft. ► Outlaws included Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and John Wesley Hardin Sam Bass

7. Texas Needs a Capitol ► The Constitution of 1876 included a plan for a new capitol. ► On November 9, 1881, the existing state capitol burned after catching fire during a rainstorm. ► Work on a new capitol began in 1882 and was completed in 1888. ► Modeled after the U.S. Capitol ► Largest state capitol building and 7ft taller than U.S. Capitol

8. Historical photo of the Texas Capitol on fire (1881)

9. Women Fight for Their Rights ► Although women in Texas made up about half of the population by 1900, they did not have the same legal rights as men. ► The Women’s Christian Temperance Union was the first Texas group to endorse suffrage. ► The Texas Equal Rights Association had 48 charter members, including 9 men. ► Texas women would not gain the right to vote until after World War 1.

10. Women at Work ► Most Texas women at the turn of the 20 th century worked at home as wives, mothers, and homemakers. ► Teaching was the most important profession open to women at the time. Some even started schools. ► Some women worked as maids, secretaries, physicians, journalists, artists and merchants. 1800s one-room schoolhouse

11. Elizabet Ney ► Elizabet Ney made important contributions to Texas as a sculptor who won national praise for creating statues of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston which were erected on the grounds at the Texas State Capitol.

12. Stephen F. Austin

13. Sam Houston

14. Reform & Railroads, Part 2 ► Power Point will be at my website under Unit 9. ► A link to a short video lecture may supplement the Power Point. ► YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN NOTES AND REVIEW OF PART 2!!!