RECONSTRUCTION IN TEXAS
CIVIL WAR
Hometown Hardships
Denton only existed 3 years after the Civil War started. A series of accidental fires
started across Texas one day during the summer of 1860, burning down business district
in Dallas as well as the west side of Denton. Although it was initially believed that a slave
uprising had started the fires, it was later discovered that a new type of matches- prairie
matches- had ignited.
started across Texas one day during the summer of 1860, burning down business district
in Dallas as well as the west side of Denton. Although it was initially believed that a slave
uprising had started the fires, it was later discovered that a new type of matches- prairie
matches- had ignited.
RECONSTRUCTION
Cattle Boom
The large amounts of cattle roaming in Texas fields became an economic source after the
Civil War. With the cattle boom, men were needed to tend to these animals. Men became
ranchers and cowboys. However, in contrast to the past, not all of these cowboys were white
men; in fact, 1/3 of all cowboys were African Americans or Vaqueros (Mexican cowboys).
For African-American cowboys, being a cowboy was a paid job- something they were not
accustomed to. Black cowboys were known as some of the better cowboys in the state’s
history.
Some problems arose from these cattle drives. The cows could carry diseases that could
be spread to humans, and many towns banned any cattle from passing through for this
reason. The cattle were also easily aroused by loud sounds (like thunderstorms) and
caused a stampede.
Civil War. With the cattle boom, men were needed to tend to these animals. Men became
ranchers and cowboys. However, in contrast to the past, not all of these cowboys were white
men; in fact, 1/3 of all cowboys were African Americans or Vaqueros (Mexican cowboys).
For African-American cowboys, being a cowboy was a paid job- something they were not
accustomed to. Black cowboys were known as some of the better cowboys in the state’s
history.
Some problems arose from these cattle drives. The cows could carry diseases that could
be spread to humans, and many towns banned any cattle from passing through for this
reason. The cattle were also easily aroused by loud sounds (like thunderstorms) and
caused a stampede.
Freed Slaves
A celebrated holiday in the U.S, Juneteeth is known as the day slaves gained word that
they were free from the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln. However,
slavery still continued in a different form until the 14th amendment was passed, stating that
everyone born in the United States, including African Americans, would be citizens of the
U.S. Many slaves, when released, had no job to go to. Despite the amendments passed,
freedmen were still paid less. Denton had a mass exodus of former freed slaves. They
moved into communities like Freedmantown and Quakertown. African-Americans were
forced to leave their homes after an all-white vote for eviction. A black man named Bob
Jones became the owner of some of the most property and livestock in the area. There was
only one school in all of Denton County that was for African Americans. They would have
to travel from all over the country just to go to school. The school was named after the
famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
they were free from the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln. However,
slavery still continued in a different form until the 14th amendment was passed, stating that
everyone born in the United States, including African Americans, would be citizens of the
U.S. Many slaves, when released, had no job to go to. Despite the amendments passed,
freedmen were still paid less. Denton had a mass exodus of former freed slaves. They
moved into communities like Freedmantown and Quakertown. African-Americans were
forced to leave their homes after an all-white vote for eviction. A black man named Bob
Jones became the owner of some of the most property and livestock in the area. There was
only one school in all of Denton County that was for African Americans. They would have
to travel from all over the country just to go to school. The school was named after the
famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
QUESTIONS
Q: How did Reconstruction impact the lives of African American cowboys?
A: African Americans got paid and were able to buy their own land and make their own
living.
living.
Q: How did the cattle drives affect the economy, particularly in the South?
A: Farms were destroyed after the Civil War, so cattle drives became a large source for
the economy.
the economy.
Q: If an African-American wasn’t a cowboy or a slave, how did they find a job?
A: Most worked as farm laborers due to their former experience. Once they were able to
purchase their own land, many African Americans began the practice of sustenance farming,
where they farmed crops to support themselves.
purchase their own land, many African Americans began the practice of sustenance farming,
where they farmed crops to support themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment