Economic Effects of the Civil War in Texas

Immediately after the war began, Texas Confederate Governor, Francis Lubbock, called for volunteers to fight in the war for the Confederacy. Texans volunteered in great number and troops were sent to fight in various battles.

Portrait of Governor Francis Lubbock

Source: Lubbock, War, ruin, and Reconstruction, Texas State Library and Archives Commission

As the Confederacy prepared for battle with Union troops, the Union Navy staged a blockade in the Gulf of Mexico. The blockade was an important military strategy on the part of the Union. The Union controlled the flow of traffic in the Gulf and cut off access to supplies to confederate states along the Gulf of Mexico.

The Union Blockade

Analyze the map: How did the Union’s naval blockade impact the Confederate State along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast?

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Union ships were lined up along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast to prevent confederate ships from traveling in the area. The blockade also prevented confederate ships from sending or receiving supplies, or conducting trade. Close Pop Up

How did the blockade impact the economy of confederate states in the Gulf, including Texas?

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The blockade prevented the confederate states from selling products and trading with other states and foreign trading partners. Close Pop Up

During the Civil War, the Texas economy was based on agriculture. Cotton and cattle were the main sources of income for most farmers. The Union’s naval blockade cut off access to the ports along the Gulf Coast, where they conducted trade.

As a result of the blockade, Texans began to experience food shortages. Common items such as clothing and linens were in short supply. Some supplies that were available, such as medical supplies, went to those in the battlefields instead of those living in Texas towns. The economic situation caused Texans to become very resourceful. Since cotton farmers could no longer trade cotton, they began to plant crops that would feed families in Texas. Homemade clothing replaced manufactured clothing sold in stores.

Image of a Confederate States $500 bill

Source: Confederate 500 dollar bill, Texas State Library and Archives Commission

The declining economy in the Confederate States of America also caused the value of confederate currency to decline within the confederate states.

Image of a Replica of Anderson’s Mill

Source: AndersonMill, Mangus Manske, Wikimedia

New wartime industries emerged to support the confederate war effort. Factories that made weapons for the confederate army sprang up across Texas. For example, Thomas Anderson built Anderson Mill, pictured above, in the early 1860s. Anderson made gunpowder for the confederate army.

Social Effects of the Civil War in Texas

While most of the major battles of the Civil War took place outside of Texas, there was constant conflict in Texas, during the Civil War. Nearly 70,000 Texans had gone to serve in the war, in some capacity. Texans who remained in the state faced several challenges.

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Portrait for Satanta, seated holding a bow and arrow

With little military protection in Texas during the Civil War, there was a constant threat of American-Indian attacks. American-Indian groups, such as the Kiowa (Chief Satanta is pictured) and Comanche raided farms and settlements along the frontier.Close Pop Up

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Image of several men hanging from two very large trees

With nearly 70,000 Texans serving in the war, a large part of the population who remained in Texas during the war supported the Union. Naturally, this caused tension between the supporters of both sides of the war. There was great support for the Union, especially in North Texas. A secret organization known as the Peace Party was formed by Union supporters. Confederate supporters feared the Peace Party would help the Union invade Texas from the northern borders. The fear spurred citizens in Gainesville, Texas. On October 1, 1862, confederate supporters had members of the Peace Party arrested. After a brief trial and conviction, 68 members of the Peace Party were immediately hanged in Gainesville.Close Pop Up
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Drawing of a slave carrying farming tools and a slave owner sitting upon a porch

Most slaves in Texas remained in bondage during the Civil War. The responsibility of those who were enslaved increased during the hardship of the Civil War. Slaves were responsible for the production of cotton or other crops. They also maintained the land on the plantations or farms in which they lived.Close Pop Up
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Painting of a man carrying a gun and a woman carrying an infant in the woods

Since Texas was the westernmost state in the Confederacy, it was the perfect place for people in the South to escape from the escalating war. All types of people sought refuge in Texas, or they stopped in Texas on their way to Mexico or places west of Texas. Slave owners brought their slaves to Texas so that the Union soldiers could not take them away. Texas served slave owners well because there was still land along the frontier where families could be established. Close Pop Up

Let’s think about this: How do you think the migration of refugees affected the economic resources of Texas during the Civil War?

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The refugees who fled to Texas during the Civil War drained the already strained resources of Texas. The refugees needed food and clothing and some needed water. These resources were already scarce in Texas. Close Pop Up
Image of a battle scene from the Civil War

Source: Civil war, Texas State Library and Historical Commission

The Civil War officially ended after Confederate leader, General Robert E. Lee, surrendered to Union leader, General Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865. Texans who had participated in the war returned home to their families only to find that Texas was a state in disrepair. Much of the land had been destroyed, and many of the people were left in poverty.

The following excerpt from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission provides information about the toll of the war on Texas:

“The state’s infrastructure—roads, railroads, harbors—was a wreck, and even livestock and wagons were in short supply after years of military impressment. The civilian population had suffered through shortages, vigilantism, and disruption of normal family life, schooling, and work. On the frontier, the difficulties of manning a defensive force led to about 400 civilians being killed, wounded, or taken prisoner in Indian attacks.

The state treasury was bankrupt. Texans had paid in more than $1.2 million to support the Confederacy (almost $200 million in today’s money). The Confederacy died owing Texas about $340,000 ($4 million in today’s dollars) for ordnance, supplies, and medical supplies furnished by the Lone Star State.”

Life in Texas During the Civil War

Lesson summary

In this lesson, you were given background information about the Civil War. Texas became a part of the Confederacy and Texans fought in almost every battle of the war. The battles that were fought in Texas were important to the Confederacy. On the home front, Texans became resourceful during a time of economic struggle and social challenges.