Transcript the Significance of the Texas Flag

the Significance
of the Texan Flag
Tommi Hurme
Origins of the Republic of Texas
Brief history
• Originally a
Mexican
Territory
• North American
settlers moved in
~1820
• Antonio Lopez De
Santa Anna
enacted
constitutional
reform
prompting the
declaration of
independence in
1836
The Alamo
Annexation into the
Union
• Texas remained
an independent
country until
1844
• The delay
resulted from
mexican
opposition and
northern US
political
opposition at
having to add
another slave
state
• Became the 28th
state
History of the flag
• Texas is known for having 6
different flags during its
history
• These include the sovereign
flag of spain, france, mexico,
the republic of texas, the
Southern confederacy, and the
united states
• The republic of texas flag was
and still remains to some
degree a totem in texas
Flag history cont.
• Origin of the original flag
remains unknown – mythic
quality of the flag
• The flag was proposed and
adopted by the Texas congress
in 1839, almost 6 years before
becoming a state
• The flag is significant to texans
because it is the only state flag
that was previously a flag for
an independent nation
Myth and Ritual of
the Flag
• Texas a microcosm of the
United states
• After the war with mexico
for independence the
populace became unified
under the flag
• President of texas given
“magical powers” from the
flag
Symbolic Meaning of
the Flag
• Each color symbolizes a lesson for all
texans
• Red for courage, white for purity and
liberty, and blue for loyalty
• The colors are the same as the United
States flag and symbolize the same
ideals
Popular myths
• It is widely
believed in texas
that the texas
flag is the only
flag within the
USA that is
legally allowed
to be flown on an
equal height
with the US flag
• Untrue, but the
fact that many
texans actually
believe this myth
reinforces the
status of the
flag
Renewal of
symbolism in the
flag
• Unlike the other
states in the USA,
texans feel a
sense of
nationalism for
their own state
based on its
history and the
bloodshed
required to
obtain that
independence
• The image of the
flag on so many
items is a
constant
reminder
Texas – It’s a whole
‘nother country
• Texan pride
is enormous
• Patriotism
towards
texas
further
reinforces
patriotism
towards the
USA and its
flag
Questions for
discussion
• From the reading we see that violence
holds the group together, can we ever
live in a world without the need for
violence to create and reinforce
group unity?
• Nations are deferring to the use of
institutions (UN, NATO) to settle
disputes more and more, thus limiting
the amount of violence between
nations. Will this trend towards
nonviolence inevitably hinder group
unity?
• If its not violence, then what is it that
unites a nation?
The End