"It's Like a Whole Other Country" Texas Exceptionalism and the 1936 Texas Centennial
The Texas Centennial Celebration in 1936 was a watershed moment for Texans and Texas history. Due to the length of time from the proposal of the celebration to the funding and eventual implementation of the event, Texans were subjected to nearly twenty years of propaganda and mythological history about themselves and their state. From beginning to end, it was a white elite controlled endeavor, aided greatly by the state’s newspapers and their publishers. This elite white effort fixed an exceptionalist view of white Texas in the public’s mind, reminding everyone that they were at the top of the social order in the state. “Texanizing” Texans became a primary goal of Centennial’s organizers, along with the goal of indoctrinating youngsters in the state to believe in an elitist, heroic Anglo narrative version of Texas history. Although funding arrived late and time was short, Centennial enthusiasts managed to put together a remarkable package of activities, historical markers, monuments, statues, and exhibits. Through the Publicity and Public Schools Divisions, information about Texas and Texas history specifically, inundated schools and the general public in Texas and throughout the nation. The exposition in Dallas made a case for a modern, sophisticated and wealthy Texas. More importantly, Centennial promoters accomplished their goals, and Texas exceptionalism and version of exceptionalistic Texas history with the heroic Anglo narrative front and center dominated the Texas narrative for at least fifty years.
Texas Centennial, Texas 1936, Texas exceptionalism, Texas centennial exposition
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