Republic of Texas 2.0

Republic of Texas, 1910-1919

I. Introduction

Texas endured a decade-long period of turmoil and uncertainty between 1910 and 1919. In spite of a period of relative economic prosperity in those years, revolution in Mexico and war in Europe demanded its attention.

The Mexican Revolution began in November 1910. That year, Mexico went through the motions of another presidential election to unseat the incumbent, Porfirio Díaz, who had served since 1876. This time, however, Francisco I. Madero, from Coahuila, campaigning on a platform of effective suffrage and no reelection, made the race a more serious one. Díaz dismissed Madero's chances but arrested and imprisoned him when he gained popular support. In October 1910 Madero fled to San Antonio, where he established his headquarters and issued a call to arms for November 20, 1910.

After Madero's call to arms, a flood of refugees inundated Texas. An exile community took root in many South Texas counties, and it maintained nationalist sentiments toward Mexico. The Mexican Revolution evolved into a struggle among rival chieftains, each of whom had his backers among the refugees. From Texas, political exiles gave support to an array of political and military figures. Still others within the exiled ranks sided with Díaz and his ideological heirs and criticized from Texas the various revolutionary governments that served in Mexico from 1910 to 1920. Other refugees became integrated into Mexican-Texan communities, and their lives became intertwined with those of Mexican Texans already living in Texas.

Motivated by anger against decades-old discrimination and contempt, Tejanos joined in a movement of armed resistance against oppression in 1915. The conspirators conducted raids on both sides of the border; targets on the Texas side included newly developed farms, irrigation systems, and railroad lines. With these raids, widespread panic enveloped much of South Texas. Non-Hispanic whites organized vigilante groups to administer justice. The Texas Rangers, their ranks increased for border duty, arrived in the region to carry out law-enforcement activity but their actions degenerated into repression and violence against both immigrants and Mexican Americans. Conditions became so volatile that President James E. Ferguson threatened to send forces into Mexico after the raiders. In November 1915, however, the president and Mexican president Carranza met in Nuevo Laredo and agreed that they would take whatever steps were needed to stop the border troubles.

Other events surrounding the Mexican Revolution wrought havoc upon Tejanos. El Paso became the scene of several days of racial conflict. From the Rio Grande valley to the Big Bend, local residents kept watch for attacks from across the border. In May 1916 raids occurred at Boquillas and Glenn Spring, and shortly thereafter most of the Army deployed on the Rio Grande. Border incidents continued to occur long after 1916, especially in the Big Bend country.

Texans were interested in the events of World War I from the beginning of the conflict in Europe in August 1914, and with the sinking of the Lusitania in May 1915. Texans were provoked by Germany's continuing attempts to stir up trouble on the Mexican border. The German motive was to involve Mexico in a war with the United States so that America would be diverted from her possible support of the Allies. Toward that end Germany encouraged the internal turmoil associated with President Venustiano Carranza, Gen. Victoriano Huerta, and Pancho (Francisco) Villa, all of whom were watched closely by the United States and Texas. President Ferguson was opposed to Texan participation in the war until Germany sent what became known as the Zimmermann Letter, a secret telegram transmitted in code to the German ambassador in America for transmittal to the president of Mexico. It promised Mexico that if she would join Germany, Germany would assist Mexico to regain her lost territories in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico by conquest. The Texas media reflected the outrage of the citizens. The San Antonio Light suggested that if a German-Mexican army overran Texas, Texans would fight to the death. The El Paso Times grew indignant at the very thought of Prussian militarism. The threats against Texas contained in the Zimmermann Telegram were enough for Ferguson to ask Congress to declare war against Germany.

The buildup of Texas forces on the Mexican border in 1916 helped prepare the armed forces for entry into the war. Army officers gained valuable experience commanding, supplying, and maneuvering large units.

Some restrictions were placed on the customary freedoms of speech and press. Each public school was required to be equipped with a suitable flag and to spend at least ten minutes a day in teaching intelligent patriotism. Texans contributed to the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other wartime organizations. They also cooperated in the food-conservation program which included wheatless Mondays and Wednesdays, meatless Tuesdays, and porkless Thursdays and Saturdays; fat and sugar were conserved every day. War gardens were planted, and Texas farmers devoted new space to food crops. War industries established in the state benefited temporarily.

The war ended on November 11, 1918. Texas, previously considered little more than a fiercly independent Republic, demonstrated the ability to mobilize its armed forces and wield it in a world-wide conflict. The border troubles of the Mexican Revolution and World War 1 showed Texas’ potential for growth into a regional power.

II. Geography

a. Area
- • Total Area: 268,581 mi2/696,241 km2
  • Land: 261,866 mi2/678,835 km2
  • Water: 6715 mi2/17,406 km2
b. Country Comparison to the World: 40
c. Land Boundaries
- • Total: 2845 mi/4552 km
  • Countries: United States, Mexico
d. Coastline: 367 mi/591 km
e. Climate: The size of Texas and location at the intersection of multiple climate zones gives it highly variable weather.
f. Terrain: Gulf Coastal Plains, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, and Basin and Range Province.
g. Resources:
- • Mineral: coal, lignite, oil, natural gas
  • Metal: iron, mercury, silver
  • Natural: timber
h. Natural Hazards: thunderstorms, tornados, and hurricanes

III. People and Society

a. Ethnic Groups: White Texans, Blacks, and Mexicans
b. Language: English
c. Population: 3,896,542 (1910)

IV. Government

a. Type: Federal Republic
b. Capitol: Austin
c. Administrative Divisions: 244 counties

V. Economy

a. Budget (1910-1919 average)
- • Revenues: $47,664,242 TXD
  • Expenditures: $38,131,393 TXD
b. Agriculture:
- • Crops: cotton, cotton seed, corn, oats, wheat
  • Livestock: beef cows, milk cows, horses, mules, sheep
c. Manufacturing: mills, lumber, meat packing, railroad shops, printing and publishing
d. Industries: timber, meat packing, oil, iron
e. Exports: cotton, wheat, lumber
f. Imports: iron, manufactured goods

VI. Transportation

a. Roads: 3591 mi/5745 km
b. Railways: 13,110 mi/21,098 km
c. Waterways: 5 navigable rivers (Sabine, Trinity, Colorado, Brazos, Rio Grande)
d. Ports: Galveston, Sabine Pass, Port Arthur, Beaumont, Houston, Corpus Christi

VII. Military and Security

a. Military Branches:
- • Regular: Army (11,200 personnel), Navy and Marines (5400 personnel)
  • Militia (38,965 available for service)
b. Military Service Age and Obligation: voluntary militia enrollment for males between the ages of 18 and 45
c. Military Expenditures: $6,445,053 TXD (average 1910-19); 17% of Budget Expenditures

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