After the Civil War, slavery was no longer legal in the U.S. Explain how this change impacted Texas’s political and economic identity. Answer in 3–5 sentences, and be sure to include examples from the material you read. You should provide one economic effect and one political effect.(4 points)
The abolition of slavery in the U.S. following the Civil War had significant economic and political effects on Texas. Economically, Texas' reliance on agriculture, particularly cotton farming, was severely impacted as the labor force of enslaved people was abolished. This led to a decline in cotton production and ultimately affected the state's economy. Politically, the end of slavery marked a shift in the power dynamics within Texas. African Americans gained the right to vote and hold political office, leading to the emergence of black politicians such as Norris Wright Cuney, who was a prominent leader during the Reconstruction era.
