Howdy Partner, You Want Numbers on Neglected Neighbors? A Look at Texas and its Not-So-Square Deal
Texas, the land of rodeos, rattlesnakes, and ridiculously large belt buckles, also has a not-so-shiny past when it comes to enslaved people. Buckle up, history buffs (and history avoiders, we see you in the back), because we're about to wrangle some facts about the number of folks who weren't exactly free to roam this great state.
From "Howdy" to "How Many?": The Rise of Unfree Labor
Texas's relationship with enslaved people was a complicated one, more "yeehaw" and "hold on now" than a harmonious hootenanny. Mexico, which owned Texas before the 1830s, wasn't a huge fan of slavery, but that didn't stop some folks from bringing their "property" along when they moseyed on over. By the time Texas declared independence, estimates say there were around 5,000 enslaved people – that's more than a rodeo crowd, y'all.
Hold onto your hats, because this is where things get gallopin': Texas became a republic, then joined the U.S. in 1845, and bam! The number of enslaved people skyrocketed. By 1860, the census (which wasn't exactly known for counting everyone equally) showed a whopping 182,566 enslaved people in Texas. That's more folks than you could fit in ten Houston rodeos, with room left over for the barbecue pits!
Why So Many Folks in Bondage? Let's Get Down to Business (Literally)
Cotton. That cash crop was king, and it craved labor like a jackrabbit craves a patch of carrots. Since machines weren't exactly picking cotton in the 1800s, enslaved people became the unfortunate workforce. The more cotton you wanted, the more people you "needed." Grim, right?
More Than Just Numbers: The Human Cost
Those numbers represent actual people, hundreds of thousands ripped from their homes and families. They faced unimaginable hardship and brutality. This ain't a joke, folks. It's a dark stain on Texas's history, and something we should remember.
So, the next time you hear that Lone Star anthem, take a moment to reflect on the people who helped build the state, both free and those who weren't.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta saddle up and ride off into the metaphorical sunset to ponder the complexities of history. Maybe I'll just focus on the armadillos next time. Less depressing.
