Introduction
Reconstruction from 1865 to 1876 was an exciting and transformative period in American history. Randolph B. Campbell’s book, Gone to Texas, describes this period in a detailed and comprehensive manner, allowing me to gain insight into related topics. Thus, the analysis of the reading material enables a deeper understanding of the war between the United States and Mexico, the future of the institution of slavery, and the impact of the Civil War on Texas. In this essay, I aim to share my impressions of the book I read, specifically the topic of Reconstruction, and highlight the conclusions that can be drawn from considering this dynamic period of history.
Factors Leading to the War Between the US and Mexico and Its Major Events
The war between the United States and Mexico arose from a territorial conflict and a dispute over the vision of the nation’s expansion. America’s annexation of Texas in 1845 sparked existing long-standing disputes with Mexico (Campbell 222). Mexico, in turn, took this step as a manifestation of particular disrespect for the sovereignty of its territories. While lasting from 1846 to 1848, the resistance led to numerous military engagements (Campbell 175). The main clashes became vital stages and turning points, but, unfortunately, led to early personnel losses.
The situation remained tense and required an urgent solution that took into account the interests of all parties. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which established the boundary at the Río Grande, was the result and determining factor in the war’s end (Campbell 172). This move provided some territorial stability by expanding the borders of the United States, but on the other hand, it led to the expansion of slavery, provoking future conflicts.
Given the root causes of the rapid spread of slavery in the United States of America, it is also necessary to consider the specifics of the end of this period. Thus, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 formally abolished slavery but posed new challenges to the government and society (Campbell 246). The questions raised in the book led me to think about the difficulties that create fundamental changes. Before reading this subject more extensively, I was convinced that emancipation was the ultimate goal of the entire process. However, the difficulty lay in adapting to the community, specifically in defining the role of the freedmen in Southern society.
The Rising Concern Over the Future of the Institution of Enslavement
For me, another leading point in history was Juneteenth, which marked the end of slavery in Texas. Proclaiming the emancipation of the people of Texas from slavery on June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger approved this stage of the Emancipation Proclamation. He fostered a day of celebration for African Americans in Texas (Campbell 246).
However, what is most interesting is that due to poor communication and the reluctance of enslavers, some communities learned the news within months (Campbell 247). This fact is surprising, given the state of modern communication and the rapid spread of information. It enables us to recognize the crucial importance of maintaining and ensuring effective communication with all regions and communities worldwide.
Moreover, it impeded the emergence of economic competition and the struggle for development opportunities. General Granger emphasized that freedmen should quietly work for wages and not count on support (Campbell 247). Thus, the book highlights all the complexity, multifacetedness, and ambiguity of the issue of freedom from slavery. What I enjoyed most while reading this part was the insights I gained about the importance of considering different perspectives on an issue rather than fixating on a single outcome.
The Impact of the Civil War on Texas and Its Divided Population
Speaking of the fascinating periods of history covered in the book, it is also worth covering the impact of the Civil War on Texas. As part of the Confederate States of America, Texas underwent significant transformations that shaped its future economic and social development landscape. While reading Chapter 10, I was particularly interested in how agriculture and trade remained relatively stable throughout the war. Moreover, the region produced food, maintained livestock for the civilian population, and provided provisions for the soldiers (Campbell 238). This state of affairs offers insight into how united and prepared the community was at the time.
Furthermore, the Texas economy, heavily dependent on agriculture and severely affected by the war, still performed well. Although there were shortages of salt and non-essential items such as coffee, the Texans were willing to work hard. The main export was cotton, the cultivation of which was surprisingly not destructively affected by the war (Campbell 238).
Additionally, due to the state’s proximity to Mexico, Texas could circumvent the Union blockade and facilitate successful trade (Campbell 238). This part particularly resonated with me as I was impressed by the economy’s resilience during times of crisis. Despite the war’s apparent damage to agriculture and other industries, Texas was able to hold out and prevent starvation and poverty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book Gone to Texas by Randolph B. Campbell offers a comprehensive overview of Texas’s history, enabling readers to consider its aspects from various perspectives. The extensive material enables the analysis of the factors that led to the war between the United States and Mexico, thereby expanding one’s knowledge about enslavement and the economic and social consequences of the Civil War on Texas. The topics from the book selected and described in this essay impressed me and provided insights into the transformative nature of change throughout history.
Work Cited
Campbell, Randolph B. Gone to Texas. Oxford University Press Academic US, 2017.