 Essential Questions: How do governments change? Why do people form governments?

 Provided for the basic governing of the state  Resembled the Louisiana constitution  Called for an elected governor every 2 years  Provided for:  A two-house legislature  House of Representatives— elected 2 year term  Senate—elected 4 year term  Supreme Court and district/county courts  Protected system of slavery  Emphasized education 48 th Texas Governor Greg Abbott

 J. Pinckney Henderson elected first governor, served 1 term  His wife Francis Cox Henderson was first woman to practice law in Texas  Strong leader  Fought for independence, served politically in the Republic, and helped write the State Constitution of 1845  But, political power started to shift from individual leaders to political parties 1 st Texas Governor J. Pinckney Henderson

 By 1850s, political parties had become organized.  The Democratic Party, strong in the South, represented farmers and workers (small business owners).  Very popular  The party of Southern favorite, former U.S. president Andrew Jackson  Supported annexation and continuation of slavery  Later split into 2 groups: Northern and Southern Democrats (over the issue of slavery and the Western territories)

 The Whig Party represented banking and large business (or commercial) interests, and few Texans supported it because it opposed expanding slavery to new territories and annexation of Texas.  The Republican Party was anti-slavery and therefore had no support in Texas nor the South.

 Some Texans joined the American Party, or Know- Nothings, whose members tried to keep new immigrants and Catholics from voting or holding public office.  Supported slavery  Secretive politically…”I Know Nothing!”  Nativism—favoring interests of native-born American citizens

 Women had no rights to vote or participate in politics  Slaves and Native Americans had no rights  Free African Americans were denied the right to vote and join political parties  Filed petitions to remain free  Went to court to protect their freedoms  However, the State Constitution of 1845 DID give Tejanos the right to vote.

 After changes were made to the Texas constitution, people took a larger role in governing themselves.  More state officials were appointed and elected.  Texans voted to keep Austin the capital.  To reduce clashes between settlers and Native Americans, the federal government forcibly relocated the Natives living in Texas to reservations and other designated areas.