Civil War/Reconstruction Background Information
Directions: Place the correct letter in the blanks below.
(A) governor (D) voting (G) restrictions (J) scene
(B) ratify (E) struggle (H) rights (K) popular
(C) power (F) state (I) loyalty (L) farmlands
Civil War - Issues of slavery and states ________ divided the
nation and Texas as well. Though Sam Houston was elected
governor, the Texas legislature declared the office vacant since
he refused to take a __________ oath to the Confederacy. Texas
was on the periphery of the war and spared much of the
devastation. Texas ___________ avoided most destruction and
provided a great deal of food to the Confederate forces. Still,
Texans endured shortages, blockades, and trade __________
forcing many to produce goods themselves. Texas was the
__________ of several Civil War battles including the last armed
exchange related to the war, the Battle of Palmito Ranch.
Reconstruction – The __________ for African American rights in
Texas continued despite the end of the war. The Congressional
plan for Reconstruction required Texas adopt a new
constitution, _________ the 13th and 14th amendments, and allow
African Americans to hold public office. The Constitution 1869
established a strong __________ government and led to the
election of Edmund J. Davis as __________. Satisfied, President
Grant readmitted Texas in 1870. Many Texans that were
barred from ___________ during Reconstruction reclaimed the
state government during the 1870s. A new constitution was
written in 1878 cutting the _________ of the governor and
requiring amendments to be subjected to a __________ vote. That
constitution remains the governing law of Texas.