Road to Independence The Convention of 1836 p

Santa Anna Crosses into Texas In 1835, the council called for a new convention to be held in March In 1835, the council called for a new convention to be held in March Santa Anna’s army arrived in San Antonio on February 23. Santa Anna’s army arrived in San Antonio on February 23. Texans still remaining in San Antonio moved to the Alamo. Texans still remaining in San Antonio moved to the Alamo. Others Texans were traveling to Washington-on-the-Brazos. Others Texans were traveling to Washington-on-the-Brazos.

The Convention Declares Independence The Convention of 1836 began on March 1, with 59 delegates. The Convention of 1836 began on March 1, with 59 delegates. Only 2 members, Jose Antonio Navarro and Jose Francisco Ruiz, were native Texans. Only 2 members, Jose Antonio Navarro and Jose Francisco Ruiz, were native Texans. The convention voted to make a committee to create to write a declaration of independence. The convention voted to make a committee to create to write a declaration of independence. The declaration was written by George C. Childress, from Tennessee. The declaration was written by George C. Childress, from Tennessee.

The Convention Declares Independence The Texas Declaration stated: The Texas Declaration stated: The government of Santa Anna had violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of The government of Santa Anna had violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of Charged that Texans had been deprived of freedom of religion Charged that Texans had been deprived of freedom of religion The right to trial by jury The right to trial by jury Right to bear arms Right to bear arms Right to petition, or formal request, from the government. Right to petition, or formal request, from the government. Mexico had failed to provide a system of public education. Mexico had failed to provide a system of public education. The Declaration was unanimously accepted on March 2, The Declaration was unanimously accepted on March 2, 1836.

The Delegates Write a Constitution After declaring independence, Texas now needed a constitution for the new republic. After declaring independence, Texas now needed a constitution for the new republic. The Texas Constitution was complete and accepted on March 16, The Texas Constitution was complete and accepted on March 16, Sections of the Texas Constitution were copied from the United States Declaration written 60 years earlier. Sections of the Texas Constitution were copied from the United States Declaration written 60 years earlier. Texas made 3 branches of government: Texas made 3 branches of government: Executive – executes laws (chief executive – president) Executive – executes laws (chief executive – president) Legislative – makes laws Legislative – makes laws Judicial – interprets laws. Judicial – interprets laws.

The Delegates Write a Constitution The Texas Constitution contained a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing: The Texas Constitution contained a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing: Freedom of speech Freedom of speech Freedom of the press Freedom of the press Freedom of religion Freedom of religion Trial by jury Trial by jury The Texas Constitution made slavery legal. The Texas Constitution made slavery legal. Free African Americans were not permitted to live in the Republic of Texas without congressional permission. Free African Americans were not permitted to live in the Republic of Texas without congressional permission.

The Ad Interim Government Takes Control It was not possible for Texas to hold an election to approve the constitution or vote for a leader of the new republic because of the Mexican troops in Texas. It was not possible for Texas to hold an election to approve the constitution or vote for a leader of the new republic because of the Mexican troops in Texas. The convention selected officers for an ad interim, or temporary, government. The convention selected officers for an ad interim, or temporary, government. David G. Burnet was chosen as the ad interim president. David G. Burnet was chosen as the ad interim president. Sam Houston was unanimously elected as commander in chief of the army. Sam Houston was unanimously elected as commander in chief of the army.

Santa Anna Advances The convention received reports that the Alamo had fallen and Santa Anna was marching toward Washington-on-the-Brazos. The convention received reports that the Alamo had fallen and Santa Anna was marching toward Washington-on-the-Brazos. Panic spread throughout central Texas. Panic spread throughout central Texas. Burnet and his cabinet fled and established a government at Harrisburg (now part of Houston). Burnet and his cabinet fled and established a government at Harrisburg (now part of Houston). As Santa Anna’s army approached, the Texas government was forced to flee again to Galveston. As Santa Anna’s army approached, the Texas government was forced to flee again to Galveston. The war was underway, and the future looked bleak for the new Republic of Texas. The war was underway, and the future looked bleak for the new Republic of Texas.