The state's current executive structure shows the influence of anti-Reconstruction forces that opposed the policies of
A) S. W. T. Lanham.
B) Oscar Branch Colquitt.
C) E.J. Davis.
D) Andrew Jackson Hamilton.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

E.J. Davis was a Republican governor during the Reconstruction era who implemented policies to ensure equal rights for African Americans in Texas. However, he faced opposition from anti-Reconstruction forces, who later shaped the state's executive structure to limit the power of the governor and other officials aligned with the Republican Party. This legacy is still visible in Texas today, with a relatively weak governorship compared to other states and various barriers to voting and political representation that could be traced back to this era. The other choices listed, S.W.T Lanham and Oscar Branch Colquitt, were both Democratic governors in the early 20th century and did not play a direct role in shaping the anti-Reconstruction forces that influenced the current executive structure. Andrew Jackson Hamilton was the first appointed governor during Reconstruction, but his term was relatively brief and did not have a lasting impact on the state's politics.

The State's Current Executive Structure Shows the Influence of Anti-Reconstruction