tx history-ch-19.3
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Chapter 19: ReconstructionSection 3: The Davis Administration
Thinking QuestionWhat are some actions
the new Republican government in Texas
should take to address problems & issues?
The Davis Administration
•Edmund J. Davis elected governor in 1869
Edmund J. Davis
The Davis Administration
•Legislature dominated by Republicans
•11 African Americans
The Davis Administration
Matthew Gaines George T. Ruby
The Davis Administration• Efforts to stop crime
in the state:– KKK had been
threatening & murdering African Americans to keep them from expressing political views
– Created a state militia & police force
Klu Klux Klan robes
The Davis Administration•Education:
–Created a free public school system for ALL children
–State board of education–Common curriculum & teacher certification
The Davis Administration•Economy:
–Improvements to the state transportation system
–Issued bonds for rail lines
The Davis Administration
•The Republican led legislature raised taxes to pay for schools & roads.
Opposition to Reconstruction
•Scalawag—term used for Texans who supported the Republicans
Opposition to Reconstruction
• Carpetbaggers—northerners who moved to the South after the war
Carpetbag
Opposition to Reconstruction
•Clashes over state police, militia, & taxes
•Obnoxious Acts—a term used by some Texans for laws passed by the Republican legislature
Opposition to Reconstruction
•Accusations of taking money by fraud
•Angered when Davis used state police to guard voters in 1872 election
•1872 election: Democrats regain control of legislature
The End of Reconstruction
E.J. DavisRepublican
Richard CokeDemocrat
vs.
Election of 1873
The End of Reconstruction• Election of 1873:
– Davis (42,663 votes)– Coke (85,549 votes)
• Democrats win control of legislature
• Republicans argue polls closed too early
The End of Reconstruction•Case makes it to Texas
Supreme Court
•Supreme Court declares constitution unconstitutional
•Democrats demand control of government
The End of Reconstruction•Davis allows legislature to meet•Fears governor’s office will be
taken by force•Calls in armed supporters to
take control of first floor of capitol
The End of Reconstruction• Democrats call in armed supporters
to take control of legislative chambers on second floor of capitol
• Federal troops refuse to intervene
• Davis steps down
End to Republican Rule• E.J. Davis last
Republican governor for over 100 years
• 1978: Bill Clements will become the first Republican governor since Reconstruction
Bill Clements
The End of Reconstruction•Richard Coke
—Democrat who became governor in 1874, ending Reconstruction in Texas
Richard Coke
The End of Reconstruction
Rutherford B. HayesRepublican
Samuel TildenDemocrat
vs.
U.S. Presidential election of 1876
The End of Reconstruction•Both candidates claim victory
•Compromise of 1877:–Democrats accept Hayes–Hayes ends involvement of Federal troops in Southern political affairs
E.J. Davis Administration
Accomplishments Criticisms•Creation of a state militia and police force, reduced crime
•Improvements in public education and administration
•Improvements in internal transportation
•Higher taxes
•Complaints about state debt and spending
•Accusations of fraud
•Accusations of using police to intimidate Democrats