Outline Notes, Texas to 1860

 Shifts in political geography and cultural geography in this era

  • de-Hispanization of Texas
  • East vs West, best expressed by debate on the location of the capital, Houston vs Austin


By 1860: Four Regions in Texas

A. East Texas: extension of the Old South

characteristics: two extremes

B. North Texas: extension of the Mid-West/Border South

characteristics: diversity

C. Central Texas: two subregions divided by the Brazos

east of the Brazos: Anglo and Black

west of the Brazos: European

differences between Anglo Americans and Germans/Slavs in terms of farming, labor, organization of towns, land use, religion

D. South Texas: two subregions, Hispanics and Anglos is separate societies


Texas Cities in 1860:

Houston vs Galveston, Laredo, Brownsville, San Antonio

Question: what were the spatial patterns of transportation and communication between and among Texas' cities at this period of time? For additional notes on this topic, go here.


Population Characteristics on the Eve of the Civil War?

African Americans

Hispanics

Note: the regions of Texas discussed above were mirrored in the vote for secession.


Back to Topic 4

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Copyright, 1997, Sarah W. Bednarz
Revised December 21, 1999