African Americans in Texas

Texas became the possession
of Mexico.
Even though there
were Spanish
slaveholders
throughout Mexico,
many blacks
in Texas were
able to own land,
amass wealth, hold
office and marry
freely.
African Americans during the
Republic, Statehood and the
Confederacy
Under the Republic
(1836-1845), the status of African
Americans deteriorated sharply
and was defined by slave codes
and a constitution that did not
grant them full rights as citizens.
In 1861, Texas joined the Confederacy
and slavery continued as a
mainstay of its war economy.
While African Americans in
Texas were not officially engaged
in fighting the Civil War, black
soldiers of the 62nd Colored Regiment
fought the Confederacy
African Americans in Texas
An Enduring Legacy
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Buffalo Soldiers, Fort Concho
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near Brownsville in
May 1865 at the
Battle of Palmito
Ranch—one
month after the
official end of the
war at Appomattox.
Emancipation
from slavery came in
1863, but African
Americans in Texas were
not made aware of the proclamation
of freedom until June 19,
1865—now celebrated as Juneteenth.
Immediately, colonies of
newly freed blacks sprang up all
over the state with names such as
St. John, Peyton Colony, Jake’s
and Armstrong.
African Americans in the late 19th
and 20th Century
As the Texas frontier
expanded westward, a line of forts
was erected to protect American
settlers from Native Americans
who forcefully resisted the advance
of newcomers upon their
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