Why did German immigrants oppose slavery in Texas?
History is rarely ever black and white. Case in point, not all people who lived in the Confederate states were in favor of slavery. Take for instance, the German immigrants who settled in Texas. But even among this microcosm of the population, the issue of slavery inspired diverse views.HistoryOrganized German immigration to Texas began in the 1840’s. Many of these immigrants were highly educated refugees of the great European revolutions. They came to Texas to escape the political oppression they faced in Germany.Political MindsetA large number of these exiled German immigrants held to very strong liberal ideals.AbolitionistsOne of the general beliefs among German immigrants in mid-19th century Texas was that slavery is evil. Those in support of this rational were in favor of the abolition of slavery and, as a consequence, the preservation of the union.UnionistsThere were also some among the German population whose primary motive for opposing slavery had more to do with their desire t
