The foundation of identity in Texas is as much rhetorical as it is reality. Texas is a vast landscape comprised of almost every topographical variation found on earth; however, it is also a set of beliefs from which Texans perceive the world around them. Texans view themselves as ‘other’, enthusiastically endorsing notions that they are descendants of mythological figures – both exotic and heroic in form and action. Indeed, the rhetoric of Texas boasts many things: rugged individualism mixed with unwavering loyalty to family and friends, love of land and power, admiration for hard work and courage, biblical faith and generosity combined with utter disdain for rules dictated by outsiders. For better or worse, the rhetoric of Texas is part of its heritage and serves as the foundation of …show more content…
This tradition of free press was a deeply ingrained construct of Anglo identity, and this construct followed the first Anglo colonists to Texas. In frontier societies, newspapers acted as agents of social cohesion and change, accelerating cultural stability as publishers advocated for public education, civic responsibility, and economic development. Similarly, newspapers, like literature and music, functioned as mirrors of a society in that they tended to reflect popular attitudes and beliefs of a community about itself and the world around them. The first permanent English publication in Texas was the Texas Gazette, established in September, 1829, by Godwin Brown Cotton in the town of San Felipe. The paper illustrated a tradition typical in nineteenth century press in that it was little more than a propaganda piece for those with a vested interest. In fact, the Texas Gazette was funded by Stephen F. Austin to report His version of events in relation to his dealings with the Mexican government to promote the advancement of Anglo settlers and to attract additions setters to the
When we see Texas, we remember today mainly for its BBQ, Football and Black Gold, Texas tea. However, there is much more than just the usual itineraries that we find in most other states as well. Molly Ivins in her essay “Is Texas America” categorically states that, “Here's the deal on Texas. It's big. So big there's about five distinct and different places here, separated from one another geologically, topographically, botanically, ethnically, culturally and climatically” (Ivins). This is a true belief from Molly Ivins of how huge Texas was and how the demographics changed in each geographical location in Texas. The population of Texas and the demographics are two essential factors that include many important parameters in deciding the history of any state. The presence of many ethnic groups further adds to the diversification of
The books “Fertile Ground, Narrow Choices” by Rebecca Sharpless and “The Path to a Modern South” by Walter L. Buenger paint a picture of what life was like from the late 1800’s to the 1930’s. Though written with their own style and from different views these two books describe the modernization of Texas through economics, politics, lifestyles and gender roles, specifically the roles of women during this era.
Ramos, Raul A. Beyond the Alamo: Forging Mexican Ethnicity in San Antonio, 1821-1861. The University of North Carolina Press. 2008.
The article “The Coddling Of The American Mind”, written by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, was written about how teachers are afraid of what they are allowed to say during in class because of the emotional effect on the students. While writing the article the authors have many examples of logos, ethos, and pathos. The logos of the article appeals to logic by presenting facts and statistics. The writers provide definitions of words such as microaggression and trigger warning. While explaining the definitions they go on to give real world examples to further the understanding of the words. Also statistics of the amount of mental health issues are provided to enhance the logos. Secondly to make the article more appealing is adding an emotional
Calvert, Robert A., Arnoldo De Leon and Gregg Cantrell. The History of Texas. 4th. Wheeling: Harlan Davidson, Inc., 2007. Print.
Anglo- historian’s main concentration was in the area of the colonies established by the Stephen F. Austin. The Austin Colonies are the ones most frequently referenced in the history commonly known by modern Texans. However, Hispanics participated in the revolution and sacrificed their lives and property along with Anglo c...
Texas is a unique place with a colorful history of legendary cowboys and tall tales. The state stretches over the middle section of the southern United States. Texas has experienced shifts in governmental control within the United States. French, Spanish, Mexican, and Confederacy, and all having once been in charge, not to mention the time Texas spent as an independent republic. Texas has had many battles and wars within its borders, resulting in seven different constitutions within a span of fifty years between each document.
Narrative History of Texas Annexation, Secession, and Readmission to the Union. Texans voted in favor of annexation to the United States in the first election following independence in 1836. However, throughout the Republic period (1836-1845) no treaty of annexation negotiated between the Republic and the United States was ratified by both nations. When all attempts to arrive at a formal annexation treaty failed, the United States Congress passed--after much debate and only a simple majority--a Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas to the United States. Under these terms, Texas would keep both its public lands and its public debt, it would have the power to divide into four additional states "of convenient size" in the future if it so desired, and it would deliver all military, postal, and customs facilities and authority to the United States government.
...is own. In an overall assessment of this book, Martin comes to the conclusion that “Campbell has succeeded in providing a thoughtful, very readable, and eminently useful survey of a fluid, exciting, and fascinating period of United States and Texas history through the lens of the life of the greatest Texas hero of them all” showing that Martin as well as Campbell seemed to be very fascinated by the heroism of Sam Houston (The Journal of Southern History, 60, November 1994, 796).
Thesis: The nine years of Texas’s independence were long and seemed to be dragged out. Were those nine years unnecessary and could it have been done in a shorter period of time? 13 October 1834 was the first revolutionary meeting of the American citizens who’d settled in Mexico, in the area soon to be known as Texas. The people attempted a movement that soon was laid to rest by the Mexican Congress. Attempts at independence were silenced for the time being and the elections of 1835 proceeded forward.
From a glance, we see the women of the nineteenth century as devoted wives, educators of their children, poised members of society, and the religious cornerstone of their families. However, as Texas became a “land for the taking” in the early 1820s, this “cult of domesticity,” the idea that the lady cultivated Piety, Purity, Submissiveness, and Domesticity in her home and in public, became altered as many of these women, striped away from all that they had ever known, dutifully followed their husbands to an unknown land, never knowing if they would see their families and friends again. They faced the frontier, and sometimes they faced it alone. Some would face the frontier concerning the wild, while some faced the frontier of dealing with the “southern way,” and others would face a frontier of their own internal battles with the subject of death. But as each woman faced different challenges in the prospective years they settled in Texas, what might have appeared as an exceedingly difficult challenge for one woman might not have seemed quite as difficult to another. We also see that some of these women had no choice but to abandon the “cult” and
The government of the state of Texas is a difficult and complicated institution that is composed of many different levels. The question comes in to everyone's mind at one time or another whether or not to trust the government. It could be that people believe that the officials will take advantage of their power, or simply people don't like the idea of being controlled by someone who is not a family member or friend. To avoid this centralized power, the government is divided into stages and this is a reasonable ground for trusting the government. Government runs this state and it does deserve to be trusted.
I found your post to be insightful, for it highlighted the increasing buying power that Latinos have. Latinos are becoming a fast growing demographic for advertisers.
Texas is an intricate state with deep roots embedded in limited government authority. Almost all, Texans, favor the limited government between citizens and state. The two most important cultures in Texas are individualistic and traditionalistic culture. Individualistic views are summoned by limited government and that politics are the root of malicious acts, and is usually responded with negative reactions from the community. The individualistic cultures’ vision is egotistical for ones self-interest. The individualistic culture is viewed as priority in private independent business rather that those of the community as a whole. Unlike individualistic views, traditionalistic culture is motioned by conservatism. This cultures vision is supported by the common wealth of society’s privileged. Its beliefs are usually of distrust in its bureaucracy. Traditionalistic culture maintains an obligation to its family hierarchy. The traditionalistic subculture has a lower voting turn out rate compared to the opposition. These distinctive cultures were bestowed upon Texans in the 1800’s, when Texas was changing into a diverse and demographically society. Individualistic and traditionalistic cultures are the outline of ideology and certainty to the way Texas government is administrated. This has a huge impact on the way the Texas structures its government and why people support such a structure. And Texas is viewed as both subcultures.
Rhetoric is the art of effective speaking or writing, and persuasion. Most people use rhetoric numerous of times in their everyday life without their concern or knowing.