Changes

In 1915, Governor James E. ("Pa") Ferguson took office, but was ousted in 1917 by impeachment for corruption. This began a long controversy over "Fergusonism," during which the ousted governor's wife was twice elected chief executive, in 1924 and 1932.

In 1915, Governor James E. ("Pa") Ferguson took office, but was ousted in 1917 by impeachment for corruption. This began a long controversy over "Fergusonism," during which the ousted governor's wife was twice elected chief executive, in 1924 and 1932.

===Great Depression: 1929-39===

===Great Depression: 1929–39===

East Texas was the nation's largest cotton producer; two million Texans depended on cotton for their livelihood during the [[Great Depression, U.S.|hard depression decade]].<ref>See Ben H. Procter, "Great Depression," [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/npg1.html ''Handbook of Texas Online'' (2008)]</ref> Cotton prices were low, as the world market had collapsed. After 1933 the [[New Deal]] cotton programs ordered less cotton to be produced, in order to cause an even higher increase in prices. The New Deal therefore started by plowing up millions of acres of cotton that had already been planted in 1933. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) followed with its voluntary production controls and price-support loans. Cotton growers pressed Congress for mandatory controls, and these were implemented under the Bankhead Cotton Control Act of 1934. When the Supreme Court invalidated the first Agricultural Adjustment Act in 1936, the New Deal replaced it with the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. This measure was overwhelmed by the 19-million-bale cotton crop of 1937, and after a year of legislative stalemate, Congress passed the second Agricultural Adjustment Act (1938), which incorporated major features of the Ever-Normal Granary Plan. By 1940 cotton prices were high and prosperity had returned for the land owners. However, tenants and sharecroppers, were often denied their share of the benefit payments and, especially after 1935, were forced off the land because of the forced reductions in acreage.<ref>Keith J. Volanto, ''Texas, Cotton, and the New Deal'' (2005)</ref>

East Texas was the nation's largest cotton producer; two million Texans depended on cotton for their livelihood during the [[Great Depression, U.S.|hard depression decade]].<ref>See Ben H. Procter, "Great Depression," [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/GG/npg1.html ''Handbook of Texas Online'' (2008)]</ref> Cotton prices were low, as the world market had collapsed. After 1933 the [[New Deal]] cotton programs ordered less cotton to be produced, in order to cause an even higher increase in prices. The New Deal, therefore, started by plowing up millions of acres of cotton that had already been planted in 1933. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) followed with its voluntary production controls and price-support loans. Cotton growers pressed Congress for mandatory controls, and these were implemented under the Bankhead Cotton Control Act of 1934. When the Supreme Court invalidated the first Agricultural Adjustment Act in 1936, the New Deal replaced it with the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. This measure was overwhelmed by the 19-million-bale cotton crop of 1937, and after a year of legislative stalemate, Congress passed the second Agricultural Adjustment Act (1938), which incorporated major features of the Ever-Normal Granary Plan. By 1940 cotton prices were high and prosperity had returned for the landowners. However, tenants and sharecroppers, were often denied their share of the benefit payments and, especially after 1935, were forced off the land because of the forced reductions in acreage.<ref>Keith J. Volanto, ''Texas, Cotton, and the New Deal'' (2005)</ref>

[[File:Tx-cotton.jpg|left|300px|Cotton bales ready to ship from Temple, Texas, 1915]]

[[File:Tx-cotton.jpg|left|300px|Cotton bales ready to ship from Temple, Texas, 1915]]