Chapter 9: Life in Early Texas Section 4: Government and Society

Bellwork Define “republic”

Texas under Mexican Rule 1824: Mexico became a republic and adopted a constitution.

Texas under Mexican Rule Stephen F. Austin: had advised the officials who had written the constitution Erasmo Seguin: represented Texas at the constitutional assembly and helped write the document

Texas under Mexican Rule Most Texans supported the Constitution of 1824.

Texas under Mexican Rule Similarities to U.S. Constitution: gave limited powers to the central government and broad local authority to the states

Texas under Mexican Rule Federalism—decentralized form of government

Texas under Mexican Rule Similarities to U.S. Constitution: Three branches of government President served as head of state

Texas under Mexican Rule Differences to U.S. Constitution: State lawmakers, not citizens, elected the president No separation of church and state or freedom of religion Roman Catholicism was the official religion of Mexico under the Constitution of 1824.

Texas under Mexican Rule Constitution of 1824 united the provinces of Texas and Coahuila into a single state.

Texas under Mexican Rule Most Texans disliked the united of Texas and Coahuila: They feared not having enough local control The state’s capital, Saltillo, was far away

Texas under Mexican Rule Most U.S. settlers wanted local control over rights and freedoms--used to U.S. political tradition. U.S. settlers often ignored or changed laws they disagreed with.

Texas under Mexican Rule Mexican official often paid no attention when U.S. settlers ignored their laws. Local government became a mixture of Mexican and U.S. practices.

The Issue of Slavery Slavery divided U.S. settlers and the Mexican government 1820s: Mexican & Coahuila y Texas governments passed laws restricting slavery

The Issue of Slavery Stephen F. Austin was in favor of bringing slaves to Texas. Some slaveholders who wanted to emigrate to Texas in the 1820s were worried that Mexico might make slavery illegal.

The Issue of Slavery 1827: State constitution outlawed slavery Jose Antonio Navarro helped pass a law allowing for contract labor—helped people get around the ban on slavery. Tensions over slavery continued to increase as U.S. settlement increased.

Mexican Constitution of 1824 Formed the state of Coahuila y Texas Gave states strong local control Roman Catholicism official religion Effects Effects Effects