Isabella Carter
The Constitution of the Republic of Texas, drafted in 1836, was the first Anglo-American constitution to govern Texas. It was written during the Texas Revolution, in haste, by 59 delegates who assembled at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The constitution was modelled after the United States Constitution and contained provisions relating to land, slavery, voting qualifications, and the powers of the government. It was the supreme law of Texas from 1836 to 1845, when Texas was admitted to the Union as a state.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Established Texas as an independent republic
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was the supreme law of Texas from 1836 to 1845. It established Texas as an independent republic, with its own constitution and flag, and set out the laws, duties, and rights of its citizens.
The constitution was drafted by fifty-nine delegates to the 1836 Convention, in the midst of the Texas Revolution. It was adopted on March 16, 1836, and ratified by a vote of the people of the republic on the first Monday in September 1836. The document was influenced by the ever-present threat of attack by Mexican cavalry, which stifled originality. As a result, large sections were borrowed from the United States Constitution, the Mexican Constitution, and several contemporary state constitutions.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 defined the role and power of the president, who was required to be at least thirty-five, a citizen, and to have lived in the republic for a minimum of three years before election. The president was to be the commander-in-chief of the army and navy, but could not command them personally without authorisation from Congress. The constitution also set out voting qualifications and procedures, stating that any male citizen over the age of twenty-one, who had been in Texas for six months, could vote.
The constitution affirmed that all laws in force in Texas at the time would remain in force. It also protected the right to own slaves and prohibited "Indians" and "Africans" from living freely in the country or becoming Texan citizens. In addition, it included provisions relating to land, such as guaranteeing citizens who had not received their land grant "one league and one labor of land" if they were the head of a family.
The Texas Declaration of Independence was issued during a revolution against the Mexican government, which began in October 1835. It was signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos, now known as the "birthplace of Texas", and focused on citizens' rights to "life", "liberty", and "property".
DVFS Technique: Understanding Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling
You may want to see also
Protected slavery and prohibited citizenship for Indians and Africans
The Texas Constitution of 1836, also known as the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, was the supreme law of Texas from 1836 to 1845. It was drafted by a convention of 59 delegates who assembled at Washington-on-the-Brazos in the midst of the Texas Revolution. The constitution was adopted on March 16, 1836, and ratified by a vote of the people of the republic on the first Monday in September 1836.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 protected the right to own slaves and prohibited "Indians" and "Africans" from living freely in the country or becoming Texan citizens. It solidified the importance of slavery in Texas from its founding, with the General Provisions of the Constitution stating that slave owners could not free enslaved people without the consent of Congress, and Congress could not make any law that restricted the slave trade or emancipated the enslaved. This gave more protection to slaveholders while further controlling the lives of enslaved people through new slave codes.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 also included provisions related to land, aiming to protect the rights of people in the unoccupied lands of the republic, which were a major attraction for immigrants coming to Texas. It affirmed that all laws in force in Texas would remain in full force and included guarantees of land grants for certain citizens. Additionally, it sought to void all "unjust and fraudulent claims" related to land ownership.
The constitution was influenced by the United States Constitution and the constitutions of several southern states, as well as Mexican law and the common law of England. It formed a unitary republic and granted generous powers to state officials, especially the chief executive, who was required to be at least thirty-five years old, a citizen, and a resident of the republic for at least three years before election. The Texas Constitution of 1836 played a significant role in shaping the legal and social landscape of the republic during its ten-year lifespan.
Schenck v US: The Espionage Act and the Constitution
You may want to see also
Adopted a two-house legislature
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was the first Anglo-American constitution to govern Texas. It was drafted by 59 delegates who assembled at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836, in the midst of the Texas Revolution. The constitution was adopted by the convention 15 days later and was ratified by a vote of the people of the republic on the first Monday in September 1836.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 adopted a two-house legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, which together formed the Congress of the Republic of Texas. The members of the House of Representatives were to be chosen annually on the first Monday of September each year and would hold their offices for one year from the date of their election.
The two-house legislature was part of the Legislative branch of the government, which was one of three branches established by the constitution, the other two being the Executive and Judicial branches. The Legislative branch was responsible for making laws, the Executive for carrying them out, and the Judiciary for interpreting them.
The constitution granted significant power to the Legislative branch, as well as to the chief executive, who was the President of the Republic of Texas. The President was required to be at least 35 years old, a citizen, and to have lived in the republic for at least three years before the election. The President was the commander-in-chief of the army and navy but could not personally command them without authorisation from Congress.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was written in haste due to the ever-present threat of attack by Mexican cavalry, and as a result, it borrowed heavily from the United States Constitution and several contemporary state constitutions. The use of familiar language and phrases from older constitutions made it easier to understand.
Contract Breaches: Understanding Non-Performance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$16.17 $29.95
![The signers of the Texas declaration of independence, by Louis Wiltz Kemp 1944 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61zn3SdtSAL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Protected land rights and ownership
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was drafted in haste during the Texas Revolution, borrowing heavily from the US Constitution and several contemporary state constitutions. It was the first Anglo-American constitution to govern Texas and contained provisions to protect land rights and ownership.
The constitution affirmed that all existing laws in Texas would remain in force. It also guaranteed land grants to certain citizens: heads of families were promised "one league and one labor of land", single men over seventeen were assured "the third part of one league of land", and orphan children of deceased parents who were entitled to land were granted all their parents' property rights. The constitution also sought to void all "unjust and fraudulent claims" to land.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 also included provisions adapted from Spanish-Mexican law, such as community property, homestead exemptions, and protections, and debtor relief. These provisions were of paramount importance at the time, as they protected the rights of people in the unoccupied lands of the republic—lands that were a major attraction for immigrants coming to Texas.
The constitution also defined the role and power of the president, who was required to be at least thirty-five, a citizen, and to have lived in the republic for at least three years before the election or to have resided there at the time of independence. The president was to be the commander-in-chief of the army and navy but could not personally command them without congressional authorization. The constitution also established voting qualifications and procedures, granting voting rights to any male citizen over twenty-one who had been in Texas for at least six months.
The Murphy v. Madison Decision: Understanding Its Constitutional Impact
You may want to see also
Was based on the US Constitution and Mexican law
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was the first Anglo-American constitution to govern Texas. It was drafted by 59 delegates who assembled at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836, in the midst of the Texas Revolution. The constitution was modelled after the United States Constitution and Mexican law, as well as several contemporary state constitutions. The delegates borrowed language from the US Constitution and incorporated large sections of it into the Texas Constitution. The document also included provisions adapted from Spanish-Mexican law, such as community property, homestead exemptions and protections, and debtor relief.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 established a unitary republic with a strong executive branch. The president of the Republic of Texas had a three-year term and could not serve consecutive terms, which was based on provisions in the Mexican Constitution. The constitution defined the role and power of the president, who was required to be at least 35 years old, a citizen, and a resident of the republic for at least three years before the election. It also established a two-house legislature, with a Senate and a House of Representatives, and a four-tiered judiciary system.
The constitution included provisions relating to land, which was of paramount importance to the immigrants who had come to Texas. It sought to protect the rights of people in unoccupied lands and affirmed that all laws in force in Texas would remain in full force. It also guaranteed land grants to citizens who had not received them, such as heads of families and single men over the age of seventeen.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was a revolutionary document, written and adopted in haste due to the ever-present threat of attack by Mexican cavalry. It reflected the social and economic conditions of the time, as well as the constitutional and legal heritage of Texas and the United States. The Anglo-American settlers preferred the legal system they had known from their home countries, and the constitution called for the introduction of the common law of England to be used in criminal cases.
The Oval Office: White House's Iconic Nerve Center
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the Republic of Texas was the supreme law of Texas from 1836 to 1845. It was the first Anglo-American constitution to govern Texas.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 protected the right to own slaves and prohibited "Indians" and "Africans" from living freely in the country or from becoming Texan citizens. It also defined the role and power of the president, who was required to be at least 35 years old, a citizen, and to have lived in the republic for at least three years before the election. The constitution also included provisions relating to land, seeking to protect the rights of people in the unoccupied lands of the republic.
The Texas Constitution of 1836 was drafted by a convention of 59 delegates who assembled at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836. The constitution was adopted by the convention 15 days later and was ratified by a vote of the people of the republic in September 1836. The constitution was written in haste due to the ever-present threat of attack by Mexican cavalry and borrowed heavily from the United States Constitution and several contemporary state constitutions.
