Sam Houston

Sam Houston strongly opposed secession during the Civil War. As governor of Texas, he believed that leaving the Union would lead to division and suffering for the nation. Houston argued that joining the Confederacy would not benefit Texas and ultimately resulted in his removal from office.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This event symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and is now a federal holiday, honoring African American history and culture.

Popular sovereignty

Popular sovereignty is the idea that the power of the government comes from the people. In other words, the people have the right to make decisions about their own government and how they are ruled.

Freedmens Bureau

​The Freedmen’s Bureau was created in 1865 to help formerly enslaved people in Texas after the Civil War. It provided food, medical care, and helped freedmen find jobs and attend school. A positive result of the Freedmen’s Bureau was that it tried to help former slaves support themselves financially by encouraging fair labor contracts and paid work. Even though it faced opposition and did not last long, it helped freedmen begin rebuilding their lives during Reconstruction.

Reconstruction=====> New Constitution

• Limits power

• Three branches: Legislative, Executive, Judicial

• Constitution protects citizens’ rights

• Legislature: Makes laws

  • Texas Senate: 4 years

  • Texas House: 2 years

• Elected leaders: Texans vote for many officials