AFRICAN-AMERICAN

This information is courtesy of the Texas Historical Commission.  Anyone may receive a copy of their brochure entitled: 
AFRICAN AMERICANS IN TEXAS:  
HISTORICAL & CULTURAL LEGACIES.

By 1716, Spain had established permanent settlements in the territory known as Tejas.  In 1803 the Spanish declared that any slave that escaped across the Sabine River into Texas was automatically free.  The border became very popular to African American slaves.   Many American slaves wanted to get to Texas so they could be free.  They made a living in Texas as shoemakers, teachers, merchants, miners, and many other jobs.   Even though the Spanish were slaveholders throughout Mexico many African Americans could own land and marry freely. 

After Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836, life for the African American in Texas changed.  Slavery became legal once again. In 1848 Texas became part of the United States of America.  In 1861, Texas joined the Confederacy and slavery continued in Texas.  Much of Texas fought in the civil war as part of the Confederacy.  On June 19 the African Americans finally received word of the Emancipation Proclamation that President Abraham Lincoln signed.   This proclamation freed all the slaves in Texas.

Buffalo Soldiers became famous.  The soldiers were recruited into West Texas and served in most of the frontier forts.  First Sergeant Emanuel Stance of the 9th cavalry was the first Buffalo Soldier to receive a Medal of Honor for action during the Indian Wars campaign.  Ten more Buffalo Soldiers of the ninth cavalry were awarded Medals of Honor by the end of the Indian Wars. 

By the twentieth century, the churches, schools, and social organizations were the center of African American communities.  Many became tenant farmers in the cotton industry.   The old freedman towns became neighborhoods in cities as African Americans began to purchase land and become homeowners.

When the civil rights movement started, black leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. worked long and hard to get the "separate but equal" laws abolished, have voting rights for all African American adults, and improve education.  Their efforts continue today as progress is gradually made toward these goals.

See a movie of African American musicians and dancers.

See another movie of African American musicians.

See another movie of African American musicians and dancers.

To receive a free copy of the brochure:  
AFRICAN AMERICANS IN TEXAS:  HISTORICAL & CULTURAL LEGACIES write to:  Texas Historical Commission  P.O. Box 12276 Austin, Texas  78711-2276