Simone Lawson
The adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845 was caused by the Annexation of Texas by the United States. Texas had been an independent republic since gaining independence from Mexico in 1836. On March 1, 1845, the United States Congress passed a resolution to annex Texas, which was approved by Texas voters on October 13, 1845. The Annexation of Texas occurred on December 29, 1845, when Texas officially became the 28th state of the United States. The adoption of a new constitution was necessary to provide a framework for Texas's government, ensuring compliance with the requirements set by the U.S. Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Event that caused the adoption of the Constitution of 1845 | Annexation of Texas by the United States |
| Date of Annexation | 29th December 1845 |
| Texas became the | 28th state in the Union |
| Texas Constitution of 1845 came into effect | 29th December 1845 |
| Texas Constitution of 1845 | Was almost twice as long as the Constitution of the Republic of Texas |
| Legislative department composition | Senate of 19-33 members and a House of Representatives of 45-90 members |
| Representatives | Elected for two years and had to be at least 21 years old |
| Senators | Elected for four years, one-half chosen biennially, all at least thirty years old |
| Legislators' compensation | Set at three dollars a day for each day of attendance and three dollars for each twenty-five miles of travel to and from the capital |
| Judiciary | Supreme Court, district courts, and inferior courts as the legislature might establish |
| Supreme Court | Consisted of three judges, any two of whom constituted a quorum |
| Supreme and district judges | Could be removed by the governor on address of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature for any cause that was not sufficient ground for impeachment |
| District attorney | Elected by joint vote of both houses to serve for two years |
| County officers | Elected for two years by popular vote |
| Sheriff | Not eligible to serve more than four years out of six |
| Trial by jury | Extended to cases in equity as well as in civil and criminal law |
| Longest article of the constitution | Article VII, on General Provisions |
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What You'll Learn
Annexation of Texas by the United States
The adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845 was caused by the Annexation of Texas by the United States. Texas had been an independent republic since gaining independence from Mexico in 1836. However, many Texan leaders and citizens desired to join the United States, and this aspiration was realized on December 29, 1845, when Texas officially became the 28th state of the United States.
The annexation of Texas by the United States had a significant impact on the legal and governmental structure of the state. It became necessary to replace the existing Republic of Texas Constitution with a new constitution that aligned with the laws and governance structures of the United States. The Texas Constitution of 1845 provided a framework for Texas's government, ensuring compliance with the requirements set by the U.S. Constitution.
The process of adopting the Texas Constitution of 1845 included voter approval and a constitution convention. On October 13, 1845, Texas voters approved a resolution for annexation that had been passed by the United States Congress on March 1, 1845. This approval set the timeline for Texas statehood and led to the drafting of the new constitution. The Texas Constitution of 1845 was influenced by the desire for statehood and was designed to comply with both Texan and federal laws.
The Constitution of 1845 was almost twice as long as the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. It drew heavily on the newly adopted Constitution of Louisiana and the constitution drawn by the Convention of 1833. The legislative department was composed of a Senate of 19 to 33 members and a House of Representatives of 45 to 90 members. Representatives were required to be at least 21 years old and were elected for two-year terms. Senators were required to be at least 30 years old and were elected for four-year terms, with one-half chosen biennially. The judiciary consisted of a Supreme Court, district courts, and such inferior courts as the legislature might establish. The Supreme Court was composed of three judges, any two of whom constituted a quorum. The constitution also included provisions for the election of state officials, with county officers and district attorneys elected by popular vote.
Overall, the Annexation of Texas by the United States and the subsequent adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845 marked a significant turning point for the state, shaping its legal and governmental structure and facilitating its integration into the union.
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Texas became the 28th state
Texas was admitted as the 28th state of the United States on December 29, 1845, following its annexation by the United States. This annexation caused the adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845, which replaced the existing Republic of Texas Constitution.
The Texas Constitution of 1845 was drafted by the Convention of 1845, which drew heavily on the newly adopted Constitution of Louisiana and the constitution drawn by the Convention of 1833. The legislative department was composed of a Senate of 19 to 33 members and a House of Representatives of 45 to 90 members. Representatives were required to be 21 years or older and were elected for two-year terms. Senators were required to be at least 30 years old and were elected for four-year terms, with one-half chosen biennially. Legislators' compensation was set at three dollars a day for each day of attendance and three dollars for every 25 miles travelled to and from the capital.
The judiciary consisted of a Supreme Court, district courts, and such inferior courts as the legislature might establish. The judges of the higher courts were appointed by the governor for six-year terms. The Supreme Court was composed of three judges, any two of whom constituted a quorum. Supreme and district judges could be removed by the governor with the support of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature, even without sufficient grounds for impeachment. A district attorney for each district was elected by a joint vote of both houses and served for two years. County officers were elected for two-year terms by popular vote. The sheriff could not serve more than four years out of any six-year period.
The Texas Constitution of 1845 also included a General Provisions article, which concentrated on restricting legislative powers. For example, the total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000 except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion. The constitution also gave the power to appoint the attorney general and secretary of state to either the governor or the bicameral legislature.
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Need for a new government framework
The adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845 was caused by the Annexation of Texas by the United States. Texas had been an independent republic since gaining independence from Mexico in 1836. The annexation occurred on December 29, 1845, when Texas officially became the 28th state of the United States.
The need for a new government framework arose from Texas's aspiration to join the United States. This desire was realized with the annexation, which made it necessary to replace the existing Republic of Texas Constitution with a new state constitution that aligned with the laws and governance structures of the United States. The Constitution of 1845 provided for the government of Texas as a state in the United States, and it was almost twice as long as the previous Constitution of the Republic of Texas.
The framers of the Constitution of 1845 drew heavily on the newly adopted Constitution of Louisiana and the constitution drawn by the Convention of 1833. The legislative department was composed of a Senate with 19 to 33 members and a House of Representatives with 45 to 90 members. Representatives were elected for two years and had to be at least 21 years old. Senators were elected for four-year terms, with half chosen biennially, and all were at least 30 years old. Legislators' compensation was set at three dollars a day for attendance and travel.
The judiciary consisted of a Supreme Court, district courts, and such inferior courts as the legislature might establish. The judges of the higher courts were appointed by the governor for six-year terms. The Supreme Court was composed of three judges, any two of whom constituted a quorum. Supreme and district judges could be removed by the governor with the address of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature, except in cases that warranted impeachment. A district attorney for each district was elected by a joint vote of both houses and served for two years. County officers were elected for two-year terms by popular vote, while the sheriff could not serve more than four years out of any six. Trial by jury was extended to cases in equity and civil and criminal law.
The Constitution of 1845 also included provisions to restrict legislative powers. For example, it stipulated that the total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000, except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion. Additionally, it gave the power to appoint the attorney general and secretary of state to either the governor or the bicameral legislature. Overall, the annexation and adoption of the new constitution marked a significant turning point for Texas, shaping its legal and governmental structure.
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Texas's independence from Mexico
Texas was admitted as the 28th state of the United States on December 29, 1845, following its annexation by the United States. This annexation was the event that caused the adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845. Texas had been an independent republic since gaining independence from Mexico in 1836. The desire to join the United States was a longstanding aspiration of Texan leaders and citizens, and the annexation was formalised by a resolution passed by the United States Congress on March 1, 1845, which was approved by Texas voters on October 13, 1845.
The Texas Constitution of 1845 was drafted to provide a framework for Texas's government, ensuring compliance with the requirements set by the U.S. Constitution. It was influenced by the desire for statehood and designed to comply with both Texan and federal laws. The constitution-drafting process included a voter approval process and a convention that outlined a new government framework. The Texas Constitution of 1845 was almost twice as long as the Constitution of the Republic of Texas and was modelled after the newly adopted Constitution of Louisiana and the constitution drawn by the Convention of 1833.
The legislative department established by the Texas Constitution of 1845 consisted of a Senate with 19 to 33 members and a House of Representatives with 45 to 90 members. Representatives were required to be 21 years of age and were elected for two-year terms, while senators were required to be at least 30 years old and were elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate elected biennially. Legislators' compensation was set at three dollars per day for attendance and an additional three dollars for every 25 miles travelled to and from the capital.
The judiciary established by the Texas Constitution of 1845 consisted of a Supreme Court, district courts, and inferior courts established by the legislature. The Supreme Court was composed of three judges, any two of whom constituted a quorum. Supreme and district judges were appointed by the governor for six-year terms and could be removed by address of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature for any cause except impeachment. A district attorney for each district was elected by a joint vote of both houses and served for two years. County officers were elected for two-year terms by popular vote, while the sheriff was limited to serving a maximum of four years out of every six.
The Texas Constitution of 1845 was well-regarded by many national politicians, including Daniel Webster, who described it as the best of all the state constitutions. It was the most popular of all Texas constitutions, featuring a straightforward and simple form. Only one amendment was ever made to the Texas Constitution of 1845, which was approved on January 16, 1850, and provided for the election of state officials who were previously appointed by the governor or legislature.
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Adoption of the Constitution of Louisiana
The adoption of the Texas Constitution of 1845 was caused by the Annexation of Texas by the United States. Texas had been an independent republic since gaining independence from Mexico in 1836. However, many Texan leaders and citizens desired to join the United States, and this aspiration was realised on December 29, 1845, when Texas officially became the 28th state of the Union.
This annexation meant that Texas required a new constitution that would align with the laws and governance structures of the United States. The Constitution of 1845 was drafted with care and provided for the government of Texas as a state in the United States. It was influenced by the newly adopted Constitution of Louisiana, as well as the Constitution drawn by the Convention of 1833. The legislative department was composed of a Senate of 19 to 33 members and a House of Representatives of 45 to 90 members. Representatives were required to be 21 years of age and were elected for two-year terms. Senators, on the other hand, were elected for four-year terms, with half of the Senate being chosen biennially, and all senators being at least 30 years old.
The judiciary branch consisted of a Supreme Court, district courts, and inferior courts established by the legislature. The Supreme Court was composed of three judges, and any two judges constituted a quorum. Supreme and district judges were appointed by the governor for six-year terms and could be removed by the governor with the support of two-thirds of both houses of the legislature. A district attorney for each district was elected jointly by both houses for a two-year term. County officers were also elected for two-year terms by popular vote, while the sheriff was limited to serving a maximum of four years out of every six.
The Constitution of 1845 also included provisions for restricting legislative powers. For example, it stipulated that the total accrued state debt could not exceed $100,000, except in cases of war, insurrection, or invasion. Additionally, it outlined the process for proposing and ratifying amendments. While only one amendment was ever made to this constitution, it demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the document.
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Frequently asked questions
The Annexation of Texas by the United States.
The Constitution of 1845 was a legal framework for Texas's government, ensuring it adhered to the requirements set by the U.S. Constitution.
The Annexation of Texas by the United States and the subsequent adoption of the Constitution of 1845 marked a significant turning point for Texas, shaping its legal and governmental structure.
