How did the American Civil War impact Texas?

The choice that highlights the impact of the American Civil War on Texas is that Texas sided with the Confederacy, leading to economic and social changes post-war. When Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America, it experienced significant social and economic shifts.

During the war, Texas contributed men and resources to the Confederate cause, which solidified its status as an important region for the Confederacy despite not being a primary battleground like Virginia or Tennessee. The commitment to the Confederacy influenced local economies, particularly through the demand for cotton and supplies needed for the war effort. After the war, Texas faced the challenges of Reconstruction and the reintegration into the Union, which brought about substantial changes in its social structure, including shifts in labor systems influenced by the abolition of slavery.

This option accurately reflects both the immediate effects of the war and the longer-term consequences for Texas society and its economy following the conflict. The focus on these changes is critical in understanding Texas's trajectory in the years following the Civil War.