Instructions
Now that Texas has voted for Secession (1861) and joined the Confederate States of America (CSA), the nation is immediately plunged into the American Civil War (1861-1865). This worksheet focuses on Texas’s role in this massive conflict—how it contributed, and what life was like for Texans during wartime.
Section 1: Reviewing the Decision to Secede
Building on what we learned, answer the following questions to reinforce the causes of the war.
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Secession means formally leaving the Union (the United States). In 1861, Texas joined the C__ States of America.
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The belief that state laws should have more power than the Federal (national) government is called:
A. Federalism B. Manifest Destiny C. States' Rights
- What major product was essential to the Southern economy and was the root cause of the conflict over slavery?
Answer: C__
Section 2: Texas’s Contributions to the Confederacy
Texas was geographically far from many major battlefields (like Virginia), but it played a crucial role in supplying the Confederate war effort, especially because of its access to Mexico and its vast resources.
Activity: Resource Match
Match the Texas resource to its importance during the Civil War.
| Resource | Letter | Importance to the Confederacy |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cattle | A. Used to trade with European countries for weapons and supplies. | |
| 2. Cotton | B. Provided food and leather for Confederate soldiers. | |
| 3. Ports (Galveston) | C. Allowed the Confederacy to move goods and troops quickly and avoid Union blockades. | |
| 4. Border with Mexico | D. A neutral area used for smuggling goods in and out when the sea was blocked. |
Section 3: Protecting Texas: The Battle of Galveston (1863)
Because ports like Galveston were essential for shipping cotton (to trade for guns) and bringing in supplies, the Union Navy tried to block Texas’s coast. This is called a blockade.
In late 1862, the Union captured Galveston Island. If the Union held Galveston, Texas would be cut off from trade. On January 1, 1863, Confederate forces, led by General John B. Magruder, retook the port in a daring surprise attack, using two ships called cottonclads (steamboats protected by cotton bales).
Comprehension Check
- Why did the Union Navy want to control ports like Galveston?
Answer: To establish a B__ and stop the Confederacy from selling C__.
- The Confederate ships used in the attack were nicknamed “cottonclads.” Why was cotton bales used for protection instead of steel?
Answer:
- What was the result of the Battle of Galveston in 1863?
Answer: The C__ forces successfully took the city back.
Section 4: Life on the Texas Home Front
With most men gone to fight, life changed dramatically for those left in Texas. They faced conscription (forced service), shortages of goods, and inflation (prices rising quickly).
Activity: War Impact Organizer
Identify if the following impacts were felt by Soldiers or by Civilians (people at home).
| Impact | Affected Group (Soldier or Civilian) |
|---|---|
| Example: Fighting battles and getting wounded | Soldier |
| Dealing with food and medicine shortages | |
| Being drafted (conscripted) into the army | |
| Running the farms and plantations alone | |
| Wearing uniforms made of rough, homespun cloth | |
| Protecting the Texas coast from Union attack |
Section 5: Progressive Challenge: Geography and War
Recall that Texas is huge. How did its size and location (a geographical feature) actually help the Confederacy during the war?
Hint: Think about what the previous worksheet mentioned about the border with Mexico and distance from Washington D.C.
Answer (in one short sentence):
Answer Key
Section 1: Reviewing the Decision to Secede
-
Secession means formally leaving the Union (the United States). In 1861, Texas joined the Confederate States of America.
-
C. States' Rights
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Answer: Cotton
Section 2: Texas’s Contributions to the Confederacy
| Resource | Letter | Importance to the Confederacy |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Cattle | B | B. Provided food and leather for Confederate soldiers. |
| 2. Cotton | A | A. Used to trade with European countries for weapons and supplies. |
| 3. Ports (Galveston) | C | C. Allowed the Confederacy to move goods and troops quickly and avoid Union blockades. |
| 4. Border with Mexico | D | D. A neutral area used for smuggling goods in and out when the sea was blocked. |
Section 3: Protecting Texas: The Battle of Galveston (1863)
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Answer: To establish a Blockade and stop the Confederacy from selling Cotton.
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Answer: Because they did not have enough steel or iron, they used cotton bales, which were readily available in Texas, as makeshift armor.
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Answer: The Confederate forces successfully took the city back.
Section 4: Life on the Texas Home Front
| Impact | Affected Group (Soldier or Civilian) |
|---|---|
| Example: Fighting battles and getting wounded | Soldier |
| Dealing with food and medicine shortages | Civilian |
| Being drafted (conscripted) into the army | Soldier/Civilian (as this applied to citizens) |
| Running the farms and plantations alone | Civilian |
| Wearing uniforms made of rough, homespun cloth | Soldier |
| Protecting the Texas coast from Union attack | Soldier |
Section 5: Progressive Challenge: Geography and War
Answer: Texas's large size and distance from the main Union armies, combined with its border access to Mexico, made it difficult for the Union to capture and provided a crucial supply route for the Confederacy.