Texas & The Civil War
What year Did Texas Secede from the Union?
1861
Who was U.S. president during the U.S.–Mexico War?
James K. Polk
Which Texas port city was the most important during the Civil War?
Galveston
What ended the open range in Texas?
Barbed wire
Who was the first president of the Republic of Texa
Sam Houston
Why did Texas secede from the Union?
Slavery was vital to the economy and way of life.
Polk said the U.S. would go to war when what happened?
American blood was shed on “American soil.”
Which battle was connected to a railroad leading to Houston?
Sabine Pass
What were range wars?
Conflicts over land, water, and livestock
What is a vaquero?
A cowboy of Mexican descent.
Why was Sam Houston removed from office?
He refused to take the oath to the Confederacy.
What treaty ended the U.S.–Mexico War?
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
What was the final battle of the Civil War?
Battle of Palmito Ranch
Why were cattle trails important?
They moved cattle north to railroads for sale.
Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?
African American soldiers protecting the Texas frontier.
What were the three S’s that increased tensions in the U.S.?
Slavery, States’ Rights, Sectionalism
What did Polk love that encouraged westward expansion?
Manifest Destiny
Why did Texans start growing more corn and wheat during the Civil War?
To help feed Confederate soldiers.
What was the economic impact of railroads in Texas?
Faster transportation of cotton and cattle to markets.
Why is James Hogg important?
He created the Texas Railroad Commission.
Name a political, economic, and social reason Texas seceded.
Political—States’ Rights; Economic—Dependence on slavery; Social—Slavery as a way of life.
What was Polk accused of doing to start the war?
Provoking (or “rage‑baiting”) Mexico into attacking.
What was the purpose of the Compromise of 1850?
Reduce conflict between free and slave states over western territories.
Why did cattle drives head north?
To reach railroads where cattle could be sold for more money.
Who was Quanah Parker?
The last Comanche chief who helped his people assimilate.