Isabella Carter
The Constitution of Coahuila y Texas was promulgated in 1827, nine years before Texas declared its independence and separated from Coahuila. The constitution was the result of more than two years of work, with the legislature for the new state organised at Saltillo in August 1824. The constitution promised citizens liberty, security, property, equality, and freedom from slavery. It also guaranteed the Catholic religion as the state religion and defined the rules for citizenship.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Constitution | 11 March 1827 |
| Language of Constitution | Spanish |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Citizens' Rights | Liberty, security, property, equality |
| Slavery | Forbidden |
| Departments | 3 (Texas, Saltillo, Parras, Monclova, Rosas, Brazos, Nacogdoches) |
| Governance | Governor and Vice Governor |
| Independence | Texas declared independence from Coahuila in 1836 |
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What You'll Learn
The constitution was published in English and Spanish
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas was published in both English and Spanish. Coahuila and Texas was a Mexican state formed by the union of the state of Coahuila and the former Spanish province of Texas. The state was formed in 1824, and its constitution was published on March 11, 1827.
The fact that the constitution was published in English as well as Spanish is perhaps surprising, given that Coahuila and Texas was a Mexican state. One possible explanation is that, as the preamble to the Declaration of Independence of the State of Texas states, the Mexican government had encouraged Anglo-Americans to colonize Texas, with the promise that they would "continue to enjoy that constitutional liberty and republican government to which they had been habituated in the land of their birth, the United States of America". In other words, Coahuila and Texas may have been a bilingual state, at least in its operation, if not officially.
However, it is also worth noting that the laws of Coahuila and Texas were published only in Spanish, which few Anglo-Texans could read. This may have been a factor in the widespread objections to government under this constitution, and the subsequent separation of Texas and Coahuila.
The constitution of Coahuila and Texas was Mexico's only bilingual constitution. It divided the state into three departments, of which Texas, as the District of Bexar, was one. The Catholic religion was made the state religion; citizens were guaranteed liberty, security, property, and equality; slavery was forbidden, and there could be no import of slaves after six months. Citizenship was defined, and its forfeiture outlined.
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It guaranteed citizens liberty, security, property, and equality
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas, also known as the Constitution of 1824, was issued on March 11, 1827, in the city of Saltillo, Coahuila. The constitution was the result of over two years of work, with the legislature for the new state being organized at Saltillo in August 1824. Coahuila and Texas were combined as a single state under the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States (1824), which required each state in the republic to draft its own constitution.
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas guaranteed citizens liberty, security, property, and equality. The Catholic religion was established as the state religion. Slavery was forbidden, and the import of slaves was prohibited after six months. Citizenship was defined, and the constitution outlined the conditions under which it could be forfeited.
The state was initially divided into five departments, with Texas forming a single department due to its sparse population. The capital was located in San Antonio. However, as Texas demanded greater representation, the number of departments increased to seven in 1833-34, with the capital shifting to Monclova.
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas was significant as it provided a framework for governance and outlined the rights and freedoms of citizens within the state. It is worth noting that the laws were published only in Spanish, which created difficulties for Anglo-Texans who could not read them. This, along with other factors, led to widespread objections to the government under this constitution and eventually to Texas's declaration of independence from Coahuila in 1836.
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Slavery was forbidden and no new slaves could be imported
The Constitution of the Free State of Coahuila and Texas was issued on March 11, 1827, in the city of Saltillo, Coahuila. Coahuila and Texas were combined as a single state under the Constitution of 1824, with the stipulation that Texas could separate when its population was large enough to undertake self-government. The constitution was drafted in Spanish, with an English version also published, reflecting the bilingual nature of the state.
The constitution divided the state into three departments, with Texas, as the District of Bexar, being one of them. The Catholic religion was made the state religion, and citizens were guaranteed liberty, security, property, and equality.
One of the most significant aspects of the constitution was its stance on slavery. It explicitly stated that "slavery was forbidden and no new slaves could be imported." This meant that after the promulgation of the constitution, slavery was abolished, and there was to be no import of slaves into the state. This provision was given a timeframe of six months, after which the state would be slavery-free.
The constitution's prohibition of slavery was a notable feature, as it contrasted with the laws in some other states and regions at the time. This measure was part of a broader set of laws and guarantees outlined in the constitution, which aimed to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens.
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas had a significant impact on the region's history and set a precedent for future governance, including the eventual independence of Texas in 1836. The constitution's abolition of slavery was a crucial step towards ensuring the rights and freedoms of all individuals within the state, demonstrating a commitment to equality and liberty.
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Catholicism was the state religion
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas, also known as the Constitution of 1824, was promulgated in 1827. It was a result of the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States (1824), which required each state to draft its own constitution. Coahuila and Texas were combined as one state, with the legislature for the new state organized at Saltillo in August 1824.
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas divided the state into three departments, with Texas, as the District of Bexar, being one of them. It guaranteed citizens liberty, security, property, and equality. It also forbade slavery, with no import of slaves allowed after six months of its promulgation.
The constitution also made Catholicism the state religion. This was a significant aspect of the document, given the region's religious diversity and the presence of various religious groups within the state.
The inclusion of Catholicism as the state religion in the Constitution of Coahuila and Texas had implications for religious practice and freedom in the region. It shaped the official recognition and support of the Catholic Church, potentially influencing areas such as education, social services, and cultural life.
However, it is important to note that the Constitution of Coahuila and Texas also guaranteed religious freedom for its citizens. This meant that while Catholicism was established as the official religion, individuals within the state were free to practice their own religious beliefs without persecution or discrimination.
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Texas was one of three departments in the state
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas, also known as the Constitution of 1824, was promulgated on March 11, 1827. The state was initially divided into five departments, with Texas constituting a single department by itself due to its sparse population. The seat of the Texas department was in San Antonio de Béxar. However, to address Texas's demands for greater representation, the number of departments was increased to seven in 1833-34. The new Texas departments were San Antonio de Béxar, San Felipe de Austin, and Nacogdoches.
Texas, as the District of Béxar, was one of the three original departments of the state of Coahuila and Texas. The other two departments were likely Saltillo and Parras, as they were two of the earliest capitals of the state. The constitution divided the state into these three departments, guaranteeing citizens liberty, security, property, and equality. It also forbade slavery and the import of slaves after six months. The Catholic religion was established as the state religion.
The state of Coahuila and Texas came into existence when the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1824 required each state to draft its own constitution. The former Spanish province of Texas was combined with Coahuila, and the legislature for the new state was organized at Saltillo in August 1824. A provisional governor and chief were appointed for the state, and the Department of Texas was legally established as a subdivision.
The Constitution of Coahuila and Texas was printed in Spanish, the official language, but Texas was likely bilingual at the time, as the constitution was also printed in English. This was possibly to accommodate the Anglo-American population that had been invited to colonize Texas by the Mexican government. The constitution promised a trial by jury and a school system, but neither of these came to fruition.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of Coahuila y Texas was a constitution that combined the state of Coahuila with the former Spanish province of Texas.
The Constitution of Coahuila y Texas was formed on March 11, 1827.
The Constitution of Coahuila y Texas promised citizens liberty, security, property, and equality. It also forbade slavery and the import of slaves after six months.
The Constitution of Coahuila y Texas was written in Spanish, though there is evidence that it may have been bilingual as it was printed in English as well.
Coahuila and Texas separated due to the overthrow of the constitutional government and the arrest of Viesca, which led to the Texas declaration against Santa Anna.
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