Texas had been a staging ground and smuggling source for the Mexican Revolution, a war that quickly became a component of World War I strategic diplomacy between Germany, Britain, and the United States since Mexico was a leading exporter of oil. From its start in 1910, violence along the border increased dramatically.
Full Answer
What was the war like in Texas during WW1?
Most Texans, however, were focused on a war closer to home. Texas had been a staging ground and smuggling source for the Mexican Revolution, a war that quickly became a component of World War I strategic diplomacy between Germany, Britain, and the United States since Mexico was a leading exporter of oil.
How did WW1 affect the German community in Texas?
During the war, rampant prejudice affected German-Texans who comprised five percent of Texas’ population. Many German heritage clubs, called Verein, closed. German-Texans suffered beatings, whippings, and were murdered by vigilantes for criticism of the war or refusal to buy Liberty Bonds.
What did the Texas State Council of Defense do in WW2?
As the war drew to a close, the Texas State Council of Defense turned its attention to war relief efforts, including the United War Work Campaign. The Women's Committee collected fruit pits and nut shells for use in manufacturing activated charcoal, a key component in gas mask filters.
What is the Texas Historical Commission doing for World War I?
In 2016 Governor Greg Abbot designated the Texas Historical Commission as the lead agency to commemorate the American WWI centennial. As a result, the THC has several centennial projects at various stages of development.
What was Texas' role in the Mexican Revolution?
Texas had been a staging ground and smuggling source for the Mexican Revolution, a war that quickly became a component of World War I strategic diplomacy between Germany, Britain, and the United States since Mexico was a leading exporter of oil.
How did Texas farmers feel the impact of the war?
Texas farmers felt the first impact of the war through cotton prices. In July 1914 cotton exchanges closed for three months and cotton prices for the year fell to an average of 7.22 cents per pound, 40 percent less than the previous year ( see COTTON CULTURE ).
Why did the Texas people stay neutral?
Maintaining neutrality meant they could continue exporting cotton, cattle, oil, and other commodities to nations on both sides of the conflict and make use of the newly-opened Houston Ship Channel.
How many women served in the Texas Nurse Corps?
Members of these divisions as well as several entire regiments in the Ninety-second and Ninety-third divisions received the French Croix de Guerre. In addition, 450 White Texas women served as nurses in the Army Nurse Corps or Navy Nurse Corps in coordination with the American Red Cross.
What did the Texas Senate do in 1915?
The Texas Senate passed multiple resolutions on May 10, 1915, that condemned the sinking, expressed confidence in President Woodrow Wilson and his administration, and urged the United States to sever all ties with Germany but stopped short of wanting war. Governor James Ferguson urged caution against drastic action.
Why did farmers depend on Mexican immigrants?
As labor shortages increased during the war, farmers relied more on Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans to fill this need and to keep wages low. Throughout the state, these groups also faced Jim-Crow-like discrimination, segregation, a biased and sometimes punitive justice system, and racial violence.
How much cotton did Texas produce?
At the time, Texas produced one-third of the nation’s cotton and one-fifth of the world’s cotton. Once the cotton exchanges reopened, however, prices rose dramatically and continued to rise in 1915 and 1916.
What did Wilson call for in 1917?
In February 1917, Wilson called for a break in diplomatic relations with Germany. At first, he sought to avoid America’s involvement in the war. By April, Wilson viewed it as inevitable. On April 2, 1917, Wilson asked Congress to declare war on Germany. On April 6, the United States officially entered World War I.
What did President Wilson say to Congress before the war?
In his address to Congress, President Wilson laid before Congress the choice before the country: to sever diplomatic ties with Germany and declare war. Four days later on April 6, 1917, Congress declared war.
What countries were involved in the Great War?
Since 1914, war raged in Europe between the Allies (Great Britain, France, and Russia) and the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary). America declared neutrality but “The Great War” had claimed American lives with the sinking of vessels crossing the Atlantic by German submarines.
What was the name of the pact between Mexico and Germany?
Although many Americans favored neutrality, the details found in a top-secret, coded communiqué between Mexico and Germany, called the Zimmerman Telegram, hinted at a possible pact to regain lost territories in Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.
What was the Texas Soldier's experience?
The Texas Soldier's Experience. Nothing could have prepared the brave men and women for the horrors that they would experience in the war. Soldiers of The Great War were the first to experience many innovations which are now considered part of “modern” warfare. These include the widespread use of chemical weapons and the use ...
What diseases were common in military training camps in Texas?
At training camp, soldiers dealt with strenuous training routines, supply shortages, overcrowding, and improper sanitation. Outbreaks of influenza, measles, pneumonia, meningitis, and other diseases were common in military training camps in Texas. One third of Texan deaths during World War I was due to disease.
Why was censorship used in WW1?
Censorship of both military and civilian mail was a common practice during World War I to keep sensitive military information out of enemy hands. Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image. “Texas National Guard. Just before the machine gun exploded, killing seven, Camp Bowie, Fort Worth,” 1917.
What were the problems of trench warfare?
Trenches were cramped, dirty, and infested with rats and lice. Soldiers functioned on little sleep and experienced shortages of clean water and food.
What were the first innovations in warfare?
Soldiers of The Great War were the first to experience many innovations which are now considered part of “modern” warfare. These include the widespread use of chemical weapons and the use of more advanced and deadly artillery such as machine guns, tanks, flamethrowers, airplanes, and submarines.
Why did the Red Cross send postcards to soldiers?
Nonprofits, such as the Red Cross, supplied free postcards to soldiers. Because of censorship restrictions during World War I , soldiers were only able to include limited information about themselves and their whereabouts.
Where was the 339th bayonet squad?
339th Bayonet squad, Camp Custer, Battle Creek, Michigan, 7 February 1918. Prints and Photographs collection, 1/142-L1197. Click or tap on image for larger version. Nothing could have prepared the brave men and women for the horrors that they would experience in the war.
When did Texas join the British fleet?
After a period of repairs, TEXAS finally set sail to join the British in their patrol of the North Atlantic on January 30, 1918.
When did Texas surrender?
TEXAS was on hand to rendezvous with the German Fleet when they surrendered on November 21, 1918, and TEXAS helped escort the German ships back to the Firth of Forth. Once the German ships were secured, TEXAS returned to American waters on Christmas Day, 1918.
Did Texas and the Grand Fleet fire submarines?
Although TEXAS and the Grand Fleet fired at what they thought were submarines, the patrol duty was mostly uneventful. In between missions, TEXAS’s crew indulged in friendly competition between ships. TEXAS won the inter-fleet Baseball Championship, and showed well in a Smoker (boxing tournament) hosted aboard.
What were the women's roles during World War I?
Texas Women in World War I. Women took on roles and causes during the war that built upon their previous work to gain freedoms and equal standing with men. Texas women, such as Erminia Thompson Folsom, participated in an ongoing peace movement with roots in the Quaker religion’s embrace of pacifism. Panoramic photograph of nurses ...
Where did the Stinson School of Flying start?
Stinson's family established the Stinson School of Flying in San Antonio, which trained cadets from the Royal Canadian Air Force beginning in 1916. Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image. "Peace," lecture notes by Erminia Thompson Folsom, about 1920. Lectures, Erminia Thompson Folsom papers, 1985/119-1.
What was the name of the hospital where nurses were stationed in 1918?
Panoramic photograph of nurses at "Nurses Base Hospital, Camp Travis, March 27, 1918. " Prints and Photographs collection, 1/142-L345. Click or tap on image for larger image. While some women advocated for peace, others supported the nation's entry into war.
Who founded the Texas German and English Academy?
In 1877, Jacob Bickler founded the Texas German and English Academy, a boys’ school, in Austin. The school included the study of various languages, music, and the liberal arts. Click or tap on thumbnail for larger image. Service record of Ernest Harkrider, 1952. Harkrider collection, Manuscript collection, 2-22/787.
Why were German-Texans murdered?
German-Texans suffered beatings, whippings, and were murdered by vigilantes for criticism of the war or refusal to buy Liberty Bonds. Even speaking German was a problem. Passed by the Texas Legislature in 1919, House Bill 304 prohibited the teaching of German in any public school, college, or university. Many German-Texans supported the war effort, ...
What was the Texas bill that banned German language teaching?
House Bill 304, 36th Legislature, 1919. Texas Legislature Bill files, 2-8/878. House Bill 304, enacted in 1919 by the Texas Legislature during the administration of Governor William P. Hobby, expressly forbid teaching the German language in any public school, college, or university.
Who was the first German American officer to die in battle?
First Lieutenant Louis J. Jordan of Fredericksburg was the first German-American officer to die in battle. Trouble for German-Texans did not end with Armistice in 1919. Henry J. Neinast from Washington County was elected to the Texas House of Representatives.
When did Texas join the Confederacy?
e. Texas declared its secession from the Union on February 1, 1861, and joined the Confederate States on March 2, 1861, after it had replaced its governor, Sam Houston, who had refused to take an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.
When was the Texas annexation of the United States?
After the grievances were listed, the ordinance repealed the one of July 4, 1845, in which Texas approved annexation by the United States and the Constitution of the United States, and revoked all powers of, obligations to, and allegiance to, the U.S. federal government and the U.S. Constitution.
What did Sam Houston think of the South?
Sam Houston was the premier Southern Unionist in Texas. While he argued for slave property rights and deplored the election of the Lincoln Administration, he considered secession unconstitutional and thought secession at that moment in time was a "rash action" that was certain to lead to a conflict favoring the industrial and populated North. He predicted: "Let me tell you what is coming. After the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives, you may win Southern independence if God be not against you, but I doubt it. I tell you that, while I believe with you in the doctrine of states rights, the North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction, they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear is, they will overwhelm the South."
What was the final vote for secession in Texas?
The final tally for secession was 166–7, a vote whose legality was upheld by the Texas Legislature on February 7. Other than in South Carolina, where the vote was unanimous, this was the highest percentage of any other state of the Lower South.
When did Texas secession begin?
In the early winter of 1860, Texan counties sent delegates to a special convention to debate the merits of secession. The convention adopted an " Ordinance of Secession " by a vote of 166 to 8, which was ratified by a popular referendum on February 23.
Why did Houston call the Legislature into session?
Houston called the Legislature into session, hoping that the elected body would declare the unauthorized convention illegal. Though he expressed reservations about the election of Abraham Lincoln, he urged the State of Texas to reject secession, citing the horrors of war and a probable defeat of the South.
Why did Texas delay the secession?
However, events in Texas were delayed, largely due to the resistance of Southern Unionist governor, Sam Houston.
