Isabella Carter
The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution since Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836. It was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and adopted on February 15, 1876, and remains the basic organic law of Texas. The document was influenced by the Grange, an organization representing farmers, who made up a significant portion of the delegates at the convention. Black Texans and the Republican Party had considerable influence during Reconstruction but their impact had diminished by 1876, allowing the Grange to shape much of the constitution's content. The 1876 Constitution also reflected a lack of faith in the government formed during the Reconstruction years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Group that influenced the Texas Constitution of 1876 | The Grange, an organization representing farmers |
| Other groups with influence | Black Texans, Republicans, and ex-Confederates |
| Political climate | Shifted towards agrarian-focused leadership |
| Legislative power | Bicameral legislature with a Senate (31 members) and a House of Representatives (up to 150 members) |
| Legislative authority | Ability to levy poll tax, appropriate revenue, and establish a board of education |
| Rights and freedoms | Equality for all free men, liberty of speech and press, right to bear arms, right to jury trial, and prohibition of religious tests for office |
| Amendments | 673 proposed from 1876-2017, with 491 approved and 179 defeated |
| Influence on education | Removed limitations on public education, permitted expansion, and established the University of Texas |
| Influence on governance | Reduced power and salaries of officials, revamped suffrage requirements, and lengthened terms of office for state and local officials |
| Influence on economy | Altered provisions to permit new expenditure programs and exploit new revenue sources |
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What You'll Learn
The Grange, a coalition of farmers, was the dominant political force
The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution since Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836. It was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and adopted on February 15, 1876, by a vote of 136,606 to 56,652. Texas still operates under this constitution today, though it has been amended hundreds of times.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 reflected the lack of faith in the government that the delegates had formed during the Reconstruction years. It slashed the power, salaries, and terms of office of officials. It also contained provisions that were uniquely Texan, many of which were products of the state's unusual history. Some of these provisions may be traced to Spanish and Mexican influence, including sections dealing with land titles, land law, debtor relief, judicial procedures, marital relations and adoption, and water and other mineral rights.
The Grange's influence resulted in the inclusion of provisions that specifically benefited farmers and agrarian interests. For example, the Constitution of 1876 set aside a perpetual fund from the proceeds of land grants and sales to support public education, including the establishment of the University of Texas. It also abolished the office of state superintendent and founded a board of education composed of the governor, comptroller, and secretary of state.
Overall, the Texas Constitution of 1876 was heavily influenced by the Grange, which shaped much of the constitutional content to reflect the interests and rights of farmers and agrarian groups.
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Black Texans' influence was diminished by 1876
The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution since Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836. The document was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875, which was composed almost entirely of Democrats aiming to replace the 1869 constitution.
Secondly, the Grange, an organization representing farmers, emerged as a prominent political force during this time. At the 1875 Constitutional Convention, the Grange's members made up nearly half of the delegates and advocated for policies that limited governmental power and enhanced farmers' rights. This stood in contrast to the previous Republican-focused governance, which had included more Black Texans.
Additionally, the 1876 Constitution introduced mechanisms that suppressed minority voting, such as a poll tax and complex local election procedures. While it formally maintained that no racial bar to voting existed, these measures effectively diminished the voting power of Black Texans. The document also failed to guarantee integrated education or equality in public accommodations, discarding progressive ideas from the Radical era.
The influence of Black Texans was further marginalized through Jim Crow laws, economic coercion, and violence. Overall, the Constitution of 1876 reflected a lack of faith in the government and a desire to limit its power, lower taxes, and decentralize authority, ultimately entrenching White conservative rule in Texas.
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Republicans lost power and representation
The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution by which Texas has been governed since it achieved independence from Mexico in 1836. It was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and adopted on 15 February 1876, by a vote of 136,606 to 56,652. Texas still operates under this constitution today, though it has been amended hundreds of times.
The Republican Party, which had been instrumental during Reconstruction, lost its power and representation at the Constitutional Convention of 1875. By 1875, Reconstruction was winding down, and Democrats had regained power in Texas. The convention was dominated by Anglo Democrats, and their influence overshadowed that of the Republicans.
The 1875 convention reflected the delegates' lack of faith in the government, formed over the Reconstruction years. The Constitution of 1866 did not go far enough for the Radical Republicans in Washington, who were in charge of Reconstruction in the South. In 1868, another constitutional convention was called, but the delegates adjourned without completing their work. The provisions they did pass were bundled together and submitted to an election, becoming known as the Constitution of 1869. However, this document was controversial, and many Texans did not accept its more radical provisions.
After Reconstruction, ex-Confederates were resurgent and began to undo the state power used to enforce civil rights for African Americans. The promotion of civil rights and opposition to Governor E.J. Davis's actions benefitted the Democratic Party. The return of civilian governance and the shift towards agrarian-focused leadership meant that the military's influence was limited in the drafting of the 1876 Constitution.
The Constitution of 1876 was heavily influenced by the Grange, an organization representing farmers, who made up a significant portion of the delegates at the 1875 Constitutional Convention. The Grange emerged as a prominent political force, advocating for policies that aimed to limit governmental power and enhance farmers' rights.
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Democrats regained power in Texas
The Texas Constitution of 1876 was passed by a Democratic majority, solidifying segregation and restricting the rights of African Americans and other minority groups. The Democrats had regained power in the state legislature following Reconstruction and worked to undo the acts of the Radical Republicans, who had been in charge during Reconstruction.
The new constitution reflected the Democrats' policies of white superiority and states' rights, with Texas declaring itself a "free and independent state, subject only to the Constitution of the United States". The document also included a lengthy bill of rights, guaranteeing liberties such as freedom of speech and press, the right to bear arms, and the right to a trial by jury.
The Democrats' primary goal was to consolidate power and exclude African Americans and other minorities from the political process. They passed discriminatory laws such as the poll tax and established a white primary system, effectively disenfranchising black voters and many poor whites and Latinos. By the early 1900s, black voter registration had plummeted, and Texas remained a one-party state dominated by white Democrats for many years.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 was also influenced by the Grange, an organization representing farmers who made up a significant portion of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention. The Grange emerged as a dominant political force, advocating for policies that limited governmental power and enhanced the rights of farmers.
It is important to note that significant advancements in civil rights did not occur until later, particularly with the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to eliminate discriminatory practices and restore constitutional rights to marginalized groups in Texas.
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Jacksonian democracy influenced the constitution
The Texas Constitution of 1876 is the sixth constitution since Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836. It was framed by the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and adopted on February 15, 1876, by a vote of 136,606 to 56,652. It remains the basic organic law of Texas.
The Texas Constitution of 1876 was influenced by Jacksonian democracy, so named for President Andrew Jackson, who formed the Democratic Party in 1828. Jacksonian democracy advocated for common Americans to have more influence on political institutions and the expansion of suffrage to all white men, not just the elite who owned property. This philosophy aligned with the principles of Jacksonian agrarianism and frontier radicalism, which were prevalent when Texas became a state and were widely supported by immigrants to Texas before the Civil War.
The influence of Jacksonian democracy can be seen in the Texas Constitution's focus on limiting the power of government institutions and enhancing the rights of specific groups, such as farmers. The Constitution of 1876 slashed the power and salaries of officials, reflecting a lack of faith in the government formed during the Reconstruction years. It also included provisions for biennial sessions of the legislature, low salaries for public officials, precinct voting, and a return to the road-working system.
Additionally, the Texas Constitution of 1876 included a lengthy bill of rights, guaranteeing liberty of speech and press, the right to keep and bear arms, and the right of the accused to obtain bail and be tried by a jury. These rights reflected the influence of Jacksonian democracy's emphasis on expanding political influence and rights beyond the elite.
Overall, the Texas Constitution of 1876 complied with public opinion and reflected the unique history of Texas, including the influences of Jacksonian democracy, frontier justice, and the state's diverse population. The constitution has undergone numerous amendments over the years to adapt to changing needs and social dynamics.
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Frequently asked questions
The Texas Constitution of 1876 was heavily influenced by the Grange, an organization representing farmers, who made up a significant portion of the delegates at the 1875 Constitutional Convention.
By 1876, the influence of Black Texans had significantly diminished. Many of the reforms intended to benefit Black Texans were rolled back during this period.
The military played a crucial role during Reconstruction, but its influence was not prominent in the drafting of the 1876 Constitution. The return to civilian governance and the shift towards agrarian-focused leadership meant military contributions were limited.
The Republican Party had considerable influence during Reconstruction but lost power and representation at the 1875 Constitutional Convention. Their influence was overshadowed by the Grange.
The Constitution of 1866 did not satisfy Radical Republicans in Washington, who were in charge of Reconstruction in the South. The 1875 Constitutional Convention wrote a new document that reflected a lack of faith in the government. The 1876 Constitution was more acceptable to both the national government and the state's electorate.
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