Convention of 1836 Road to Independence

Convention of 1836  Was held March 1, 1836  Location of Convention: Washington on the Brazos  There were 59 male delegates at the convention of 1836  The only 2 native Texans at the convention were Jose Antonio Navarro and Jose Francisco Ruiz

Convention of 1836 Richard Ellis was the Chairman of the convention H.S. Kimble became the secretary A motion was passed to that a committee be created to write a declaration of independence The Declaration Presented the next morning was written by George C. Childress

Texas Declaration of Independence The Texas declaration was similar to the U.S. constitution written 60 years earlier The declaration stated that Santa Anna Violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of 1824 The declaration said that Texans were deprived a freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to bear arms.

Texas Declaration of Independence It also stated that Mexico failed to provide a system of public education And because the Mexican Government sent a large army, the declaration also noted that the Texans’ protests against these policies were met by force.

Exert from Declaration The people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, 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.

Texas Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was adopted by unanimous vote of the Convention on March 2, 1836, March 2 is known as Texas Independence Day

Texas Constitution After the Declaration of Independence the convention turned to writing a Constitution for the new Republic The delegates want to hurry and finish the constitution because Santa Anna’s presence in Texas meant a possible attack by the Mexican Army. On March 16, 1836 The constitution was finished

Texas Constitution There were similarities between the Texas and U.S. constitution There were 3 branches of Government in the Texas Constitution: ▫Executive ▫Judicial ▫Legislative

Texas Constitution – Bill of Rights Freedom of Speech Freedom of Press Freedom of Religion Trial by Jury And other basic civil rights……

Other Texas Constitution Laws Ministers were not allowed to hold public office Slavery became legal Legislature was forbidden to free slaves or prevent importation of slaves Free African Americans were not permitted to live in the Republic of Texas without government permission

Finally…………… The last job at the convention was for the delegates to elect (interim/temporary) government. David G. Burnet was chosen interim president Sam Houston elected commander and chief of the army