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The Convention Begins
The Convention Begins
Picture of Richard EllisPresident of the Convention of 1836
On March 1, 1836, 59 delegates met in Washington-on-the-Brazos for the Convention of 1836. The delegates included only 2 native Texans: Jose Antonio Navarro and Jose Francisco Ruiz. In addition, another delegate, Lorenzo de Zavala, had served in the Mexican Congress alongside Santa Anna. The delegates named Richard Ellis as President of the Convention.
Texas Declares Independence
Texas Declares Independence
The first order of business for the Convention was to declare independence from Mexico. George C. Childress was selected to run the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. They decided to model their declaration after the US Declaration of Independence.
The Texas Declaration of Independence listed the grievances, or complaints, the Texas settlers had against Santa Anna and the Mexican government. They stated that Mexico had denied many rights guaranteed under the Constitution of 1824, including:
Freedom of religion
Right to a trial by jury
Right to bear arms
Right to petition the government
A public education system
The document finished by declaring Texas an independent country.
Image of George Childress, author of the Texas Declaration of Independence
The committee presented the Declaration on March 2, 1836. It was approved in an unanimous vote. After the Declaration, the Texas Revolution had a clear goal: independence. Many Tejanos opposed independence, however, and some left the Texas Army after hearing the Declaration was approved. The adoption of the Declaration of Independence marked the birth of the Republic of Texas.
Picture of Sam Houston
The Constitution of 1836
The Constitution of 1836
Shortly after adopting the Declaration, the delegates learned about the fall of the Alamo. Sam Houston, a delegate at the Convention, urged those who wanted to fight to defend San Antonio to stay and help create a constitution for the Republic of Texas instead.
The delegates chose to model the Texas Constitution after the US Constitution. For example, the Texas Constitution established a republican government - one in which the people elect others to public office. This idea, that the people are the source of the government's power, is called popular sovereignty. Additionally, the constitution divided powers of the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The powers of each branch were listed in the Constitution.
The Constitution also included clauses about slavery. The Constitution legalized slavery and the importation of slaves into the Republic of Texas. Finally, the Constitution required all free African-Americans living in Texas to petition the Texas Congress to remain in Texas.
Creating an Ad Interim Government
Creating an Ad Interim Government
Finally, the delegates created an ad interim (or temporary) government until elections could be held. They selected David G. Burnet as the president and Lorenzo de Zavala as the vice-president. This made Santa Anna furious. He became determined to crush the new government and his old enemy, Lorenzo de Zavala.
On March 17, 1836, the officers were sworn in. Later that day, they heard the Mexican Army was near Washington-on-the-Brazos. The delegates had to move, and David Burnett decided to move the capital of Texas to Harrisburg.
Primary Source Readings
Primary Source Readings
Reading 1: From the Texas Declaration of Independence, signed March 2, 1836
Reading 1: From the Texas Declaration of Independence, signed March 2, 1836
We, therefore, the delegates... of the people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled... do hereby resolve and declare, that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended, and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, Sovereign, and independent republic, and are fully invested with all the rights and attributes which properly belong to Independent nations.
Guided Questions: As you read through the primary source, think about the answers to the following questions:
What is this reading from?
What do they mean when they say "our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended"?
What do they declare Texas as?
Reading 2: Grievances from the Texas Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836
Reading 2: Grievances from the Texas Declaration of Independence, March 2, 1836
It has incarcerated in a dungeon, for a long time, one of our citizens, for no other cause but a zealous endeavor to procure the acceptance of our constitution, and the establishment of a state government.
Guided Questions: As you read through the primary source, think about the answers to the following questions:
Incarcerated means to be put in jail. Who do you think this grievance is referring to? (Hint: Remember your causes of the Texas Revolution)
Presentation Requirements:
Presentation Requirements:
Your presentation needs to include the following information and address the following questions:
Name of the event
Date for the event
Location of the event
Who was George Childress?
Why is March 2, 1836 an important date in Texas history?
What major battle happened during the middle of the Convention? What was Sam Houston's response?
What type of government did the Constitution of 1836 set-up?
What did the Constitution of 1836 say about slavery?
Who was elected to the ad interim government?
What became the first capital of the Republic of Texas?
Add at least 2 pictures to your google slides that you feel represent this event in some way
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