After the Civil War, slavery was no longer legal in the U.S. Explain how this change impacted Texas’s political and economic identity. Answer in 3–5 sentences, and be sure to include examples from the material you read. You should provide one economic effect and one political effect.

Answer 1

After the Civil War, the end of slavery in the U.S. had significant political and economic impacts on Texas. Politically, it led to the Reconstruction era where African Americans gained political rights and participation, resulting in increased representation and influence. Economically, without the ability to exploit enslaved labor, Texas shifted towards sharecropping and tenant farming, leading to an agrarian economy with a reliance on cotton production. This transition contributed to economic disparities and the concentration of wealth in the hands of landowners and white elites. (Source: Texas's Black History)