Why Did Texas Fight In The Civil War
“It’s better to fight for something, than to live for nothing.” (George S. Patton) For the United States in 1861-1865, the reason for fighting was slavery. The north side was against slavery while the south was for it. This event was called the civil war and it’s crazy to think that the north side v.s the south side of the same country would be fighting against each other! Texas as well fought in this long battle and was part of the south. But, why did Texas fight in the civil war?
One of the reasons why Texas fought in the civil war was to protect their state’s rights. At the Texas Secession Convention in Austin, Texas it was stated that “ In this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political
right…” (Doc B). This basically states that each state and some people in it are free to have rights. “This is a Union of equal states, and no state can force another state to either remain in it or withdraw from it” this was a piece of evidence to support that the Union should be able to seperate from the US as a whole if they want to, found in the Texas State Gazette (Doc C). Even with evidence that shows how each state is free to do what they want, the Union was being controlled and forced to obey the (north) confederacy with Abraham Lincoln the president against the south. Texans become furious with all of this unfairness and then started fighting in the civil war to defend their state’s rights!
Another reason for why Texans fought in the Civil war was for their love of Texas. Civil war Texan fighter John W. Rabb says, “for if I ever marry it will be in Texas” (doc D). This man was fighting and in his letter sent to loved ones he mentions how important Texas is to him. He also says in his letter, “I want to be home so bad…” (Doc D). Real Texans have gone through so much from gaining their independence from Mexico, getting annexed, and all the battles through it. In the civil war they had to fight to show they are loyal to the state they love.
The most important reason to support why Texans fought in the civil war was to preserve slavery. Texas was a slave state and had a slave population of 182,566 (Doc A). There were so many slaves present and used in Texas so they were a critical part for the state. Even the civil war Texan fighter named John Rabb wanted to preserve slavery; “If the Yanks come you had better send the Negros up in the mountains…” he stated this when he was at war (doc D). This proves how a Texan wants to help keep the slaves alive because they need them. Also, in the the Texas Secession Convention it was said that “the servitude of the African race is mutually beneficial to both bond (slave) and free” (Doc B). Texans didn’t think that slavery in any way was bad, because it was said that it benefits the slave and the slave owner. One healthy male slave in fact cost about $1,200 (Doc A). This is very important because Texas had to defend slavery and hopefully keep it because they have invested so much money into it. Losing the right to own slaves would be very bad for Texas because they would lose lots of money, so Texas had to fight in this war to defend slavery.
Texas was a part of the civil war and fought for the right to own slaves as a part of the southern union. Texans chose to fight in the civil war and sacrificed so many things because they wanted to protect their state’s rights, they had a big love for Texas, and they fought to protect slavery.
One of the reasons why Texas fought in the civil war was to protect their state’s rights. At the Texas Secession Convention in Austin, Texas it was stated that “ In this free government all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political
right…” (Doc B). This basically states that each state and some people in it are free to have rights. “This is a Union of equal states, and no state can force another state to either remain in it or withdraw from it” this was a piece of evidence to support that the Union should be able to seperate from the US as a whole if they want to, found in the Texas State Gazette (Doc C). Even with evidence that shows how each state is free to do what they want, the Union was being controlled and forced to obey the (north) confederacy with Abraham Lincoln the president against the south. Texans become furious with all of this unfairness and then started fighting in the civil war to defend their state’s rights!
Another reason for why Texans fought in the Civil war was for their love of Texas. Civil war Texan fighter John W. Rabb says, “for if I ever marry it will be in Texas” (doc D). This man was fighting and in his letter sent to loved ones he mentions how important Texas is to him. He also says in his letter, “I want to be home so bad…” (Doc D). Real Texans have gone through so much from gaining their independence from Mexico, getting annexed, and all the battles through it. In the civil war they had to fight to show they are loyal to the state they love.
The most important reason to support why Texans fought in the civil war was to preserve slavery. Texas was a slave state and had a slave population of 182,566 (Doc A). There were so many slaves present and used in Texas so they were a critical part for the state. Even the civil war Texan fighter named John Rabb wanted to preserve slavery; “If the Yanks come you had better send the Negros up in the mountains…” he stated this when he was at war (doc D). This proves how a Texan wants to help keep the slaves alive because they need them. Also, in the the Texas Secession Convention it was said that “the servitude of the African race is mutually beneficial to both bond (slave) and free” (Doc B). Texans didn’t think that slavery in any way was bad, because it was said that it benefits the slave and the slave owner. One healthy male slave in fact cost about $1,200 (Doc A). This is very important because Texas had to defend slavery and hopefully keep it because they have invested so much money into it. Losing the right to own slaves would be very bad for Texas because they would lose lots of money, so Texas had to fight in this war to defend slavery.
Texas was a part of the civil war and fought for the right to own slaves as a part of the southern union. Texans chose to fight in the civil war and sacrificed so many things because they wanted to protect their state’s rights, they had a big love for Texas, and they fought to protect slavery.