Texas Involvement in Slavery
One of the most unique
situations during the period of the Civil War in America was
the involvement of the state of Texas in the Confederacy.
Although it was once its own Republic separate from the
United States of America through annexation, Texas was not
entirely unique when it came to the institution of slavery. Just
like in all other southern states, slavery, and the use of slave
labor, was a major factor of the states agricultural economy.
During the years around and through the Civil War, Texas
became a home for many transient southerners in search of
sanctuary from the almost enviable furthering of
emancipation. Long before the war, Texas had been the
stomping ground for runaway slaves enroute to Mexico and
in search of freedom. The state of Texas was not only one of
the new frontier territories toward the west but it became
one of the final places in America were slavery was
practiced. Because of its geography much of Texas
remained untouched and unsettled. Many adventurous
plantation owners felt it necessary to keep news of the war
and emancipation from their slaves as much as a year after
the end of the war.(Campbell 249) The topic I have chosen
for my research to discuss the history of slavery in Texas
during the years of the Civil War. How the institution was
altered because of the Civil War and the process by which
emancipation was handed to black -Texans is the focus of
my report. I would like to uncover how and why slave labor
was used to both protect the state, the Confederacy and the
institution that held the future of the American Negro forever.
Well before the beginning of the Civil War, Texas and some
of its surrounding territories were property of Spain just like
its southern neighbor, Mexico. Soon after realizing their
particular suppression by Spain, Mexico fought for, and won
its independence from its mother country. Mexico now had
control of their country and the territory of Texas. As more
Americans moved
situations during the period of the Civil War in America was
the involvement of the state of Texas in the Confederacy.
Although it was once its own Republic separate from the
United States of America through annexation, Texas was not
entirely unique when it came to the institution of slavery. Just
like in all other southern states, slavery, and the use of slave
labor, was a major factor of the states agricultural economy.
During the years around and through the Civil War, Texas
became a home for many transient southerners in search of
sanctuary from the almost enviable furthering of
emancipation. Long before the war, Texas had been the
stomping ground for runaway slaves enroute to Mexico and
in search of freedom. The state of Texas was not only one of
the new frontier territories toward the west but it became
one of the final places in America were slavery was
practiced. Because of its geography much of Texas
remained untouched and unsettled. Many adventurous
plantation owners felt it necessary to keep news of the war
and emancipation from their slaves as much as a year after
the end of the war.(Campbell 249) The topic I have chosen
for my research to discuss the history of slavery in Texas
during the years of the Civil War. How the institution was
altered because of the Civil War and the process by which
emancipation was handed to black -Texans is the focus of
my report. I would like to uncover how and why slave labor
was used to both protect the state, the Confederacy and the
institution that held the future of the American Negro forever.
Well before the beginning of the Civil War, Texas and some
of its surrounding territories were property of Spain just like
its southern neighbor, Mexico. Soon after realizing their
particular suppression by Spain, Mexico fought for, and won
its independence from its mother country. Mexico now had
control of their country and the territory of Texas. As more
Americans moved