1. The Age of Oil
This powerpoint covers oil, urbanization,
the reform movement, and WWI.
2. Oil Background
1866 – Melrose Petrolium Oil Company drilled the
first successful oil well.
1894 – Oil was found in Corsicana, TX. Although
there wasn’t much demand for oil at that time,
more people begin drilling in East Texas.
Railroads began using oil for fuel in the 1880s.
3. In Beaumont, TX near Spindletop Hill, Anthony
Lucas hits the largest reserve of oil the world had
ever seen on January 10th, 1901.
The Spindletop Discovery began the first of many oil
booms in Texas.
4. Led to the creation of Texaco, Gulf, and Mobile
oil companies.
By the 1920s, Texas was one of the world’s
leading oil producers.
6. Oil Boom after Spindletop
Population, new industries, and economy grew
quickly.
The search for oil expanded into East, Central,
and North Texas.
Boomtowns started around successful oil wells.
Howard Hughes invents the rotary drill bit, which
can break through rock ten times faster than
former bits.
Houston, Midland, Corpus Christi, and
Beaumont have many oil companies.
The increase in cars and trucks caused the
government to improve roads and build
7. Galveston , TX
In the late 1800s, Galveston was a major city with
around 38,000 people. The city stands along the
Gulf of Mexico, making it a major center of trade in
Texas.
Galveston was only 8 to 10 feet above sea level.
8. Hurricane of 1900
September 8, 1900, the city of Galveston was
devastated by a hurricane. Estimated 6,000 to
8,000 killed. 3, 636 homes destroyed.
To avoid a repeat of this tragedy, residents pumped
in sand from the floor of the Gulf of Mexico to
increase Galveston’s elevation.
A 17-kilometer seawall was built to protect against
future storms.
10. Houston Ship Channel
Houston Ship Channel –Built in 1914, it
connected Houston with the Gulf of Mexico to
improve the economy of Houston. Since then it
has been widen and deepened.
Environmental results: an increase in pollution,
collisions, explosions, and oil spills.
11. Women’s Suffrage
In the 1900s, women were becoming more involved
in politics.
19th amendment granted women the right to vote.
The Texas Equal Suffrage Association supported the
passage of this amendment.
12. Prohibition
A national movement to ban the manufacture, sale,
transportation, or use of alcoholic beverages.
believed it would reduce crime, poverty, and family
violence.
organizations led the temperance (avoidance of
alcohol) movement. The United Friends of
Temperance and the Baptist General Convention of
Texas spoke against the use of alcohol.
13. Populists and Labor Unions
Populism – Nationwide movement of rural citizens
who had not benefited from urbanization
The people’s Party (or Populist Party) consisted of
farmers, ranchers, and farm workers. They wanted
the government to protect the interests of common
people.
Grange Patrons of Husbandry – farming group that
pushed for cooperation in business, happier home
lives, and better educational opportunities.
Texas Farmers Union (TFU) – This was organized in
1902 after the fall of the Populist party.
The TFU was active in agricultural and rural public
policies.
14. What led to reform?
More Texans moved from rural (country) to urban
(city) areas to find jobs.
New Industries – oil and gas. Also, new
technology in agriculture and ranching.
Transportation - Railroads, cars trucks, roads,
highways
15. African Americans and Reform
Many African Americans were not included in the
reform movement.
1902 Poll Tax – African Americans and poor whites
couldn’t afford it, therefore, couldn’t vote.
1910 – Jim Crow Laws. Railroad cars, water
fountains, restrooms, schools, restaurants, etc. were
segregated (separated by race).
16. Germans anger Americans
In 1917 Zimmerman (a German secretary) sent
a telegram to the Mexican government letting
Mexico know if they helped Germany in the war,
Germany would grant Mexico all the land the
U.S. had taken from them in the mid to late
1800’s
18. Germans anger Americans
Lusitania: A British ocean liner the Germans
believed to be carrying weapons for the British
navy. The Germans sunk the passenger ship
killing 128 Americans
In April 1917 Congress declared war on
Germany
19. Texas’s Contributions
Nearly 198,000 Texans served in the armed forces,
including 450 female nurses
Edward M. House – This Texas man was a close
advisor to president Wilson regarding foreign affairs
and peace negotiations with Europe during the war.
Four major military camps were set up – Camp
Bowie in Ft. Worth, Camp Travis in San Antonio,
Camp Logan in Houston, Camp MacArthur in Waco.
20. U.S. and the Great War
Many civilians bought War bonds (a low-interest
loan by civilians to the government. Also
called Liberty Bonds).
The oil industry began to boom because of the
demand for gasoline for tanks, jeeps, and planes.
21. U.S. and the Great War
Women rolled bandages and worked in factories
to make important wartime products
Families cut back on food in order to support the
war effort. This is called rationing.
