Texan History

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Texan History

Texan, which is the 28th state in the United States, was once separate from the rest of the Union as many states were. It was once also a Republic of its own. The Texans held a convention at Washington on the Brazos and adopted a declaration of independence on March 2, 1836. It shared a constitution similar to the United States as well. Though, throughout 1845 Texas grew a debt from 1 million to 8 million dollars. Because many people felt that letting Texas further live on its own would later damage the development of the United states. In 1844 it was called for an annexation, in which the state would be adopted with a state constitution.

Unfortunately the annexation brought along questions over slavery. Also, Mexico hadn't ever recognized Texas as a republic and was slow to accept it as part of the United States. Finally on December 29, 1845 Texas official was admitted to the Union. Disputes with Mexico over boundary lines led to Mexican War in 1846. The US victory led to the Rio Grande-El Paso international border that would separate the two countries.

In the early 1900s, Texas was settling down and becoming somewhat more "civilized". Most of the Rio Grande area became secured by Texas Rangers, though there were brief skirmishes with bandit-revolutionaries during the Mexican rebellion against a succession of corrupt Mexican presidents between 1911 and 1916. A 1919 investigation into the border problems revealed that the Texas Ranger played a role in fanning the flames through their vigilante behavior, especially along the lower Rio Grande. One of the last famous Ranger actions was the pursuit and killing of Texas bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow in the late 20's. The rangers soon evolved into the state highway patrol under the Department of Public Safety.

Pancho Villa a cattle rustler and bandit, became an important figure in the Chihiahua takeover and other battles. At first the US public was glamorized his escapades and would almost want Hollywood. After he was defeated in 1915 he turned his attention to border raids on villages in Texas and New Mexico. At any rate, U.S. President Wilson responded by stationing 100,000 National Guards troops along the border and sent Gen. John Pershing into Mexico in pursuit of Villa 1916.

Pershing failed to capture Villa, and when the US became involved in World War I 1917, th...

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... the lower cost of production in Texas (lower wages, energy costs, and real estate). But Texans will probably have to accept the fact that the accelerated boom of the '70s is now characteristic of their history, not their future.

Typically, Texas has sided with the Democratic Party at both state and national and national levels. During the past 20 years, though, the Republicans have been growing strong within Texas. In 1978, William P. Clements Jr. became the first Republican candidate to win the state governorship. After losing to Democrat Mark White Jr. in 1982, he later won election again in 1986.

Texas is the nation's leader in livestock production. It is also a fact that livestock outnumber the people of Texas. In 1987, ranching receipts totaled about 6 billion dollars, which was more than any state. Farming follows ranching with a 1987 income of 3 billion dollars. Texas's leading crop is cotton, followed by grains, vegetables, peanuts, citrus, and other fruits. At the beginning of 1990 the state's ranches harbored 13.5 million cattle, 2.5 million sheep, 2.1 million goats, 580,000 hogs and over 18 million chickens. Texas leads the nation in cotton and rice production.

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