Convention of 1836

We Will..examine and analyze the Convention of 1836.

I Will be able to list and explain the grievances that led to the Texas Declaration of Independence and how they were addressed in the Texas Constitution using a graphic organizer

Texas Declares

Independence from

Mexico

Vocabulary Terms

Popular Sovereignty - The
notion that the power to
create or change the
government comes from the
people.

Bill of Rights - Statement of
basic rights that the
government cannot take
away from the people.

Petition - A formal request.

Ad Interim - A temporary
government.

​Due Process: A fair proceeding.

Texas Revolution Battles Map

Texas Declares Independence

•

At Washington-on-the-Brazos, a group of prominent Texans

awaited anxiously for news from the Alamo. They had gathered for the
Convention of 1836, days before the fall of the Alamo.

•

Many of the 59 delegates, such as Sam Houston, had served in the

U.S government.

On March 2, 1836, the delegates voted unanimously to accept the Texas
Declaration of Independence.

George C. Childress

•

Writer of most of the Texas Constitution, George C.

Childress modeled the Texas declaration after the U.S
Declaration of Independence.

•

Childress listed the complaints Texans had against Santa

Anna’s government within the Texas declaration of
Independence.

•

Because of the rights denied under the Constitution of 1824,

Texans could no longer tolerate being part of Mexico.

​Grievances: 

1. Slavery was made illegal by the Mexican Government. 

2. Texans were forced to be Catholics. 

3. Texans were made to pay unfair and high custom duties. 

4. Lack of due process. Anyone could be arrested. 

5. No freedom of speech in Texas. 

Lorenzo de Zavala

Before moving to Texas, Lorenzo de Zavala served as a
Mexican Congressman & governor.

In 1829, Zavala received a colonization contract to settle 300
people in East Texas, but he never used it.

He served as a diplomat for Santa Anna but resigned in
protest of Santa Anna’s actions.

As a delegate to the convention of 1836 and admirer of the
U.S constitution, Zavala would play a key role in drafting the
Texas Constitution and was elected Vice President.

The Constitution of 1836

•

After the Texas Declaration of Independence, many wanted to

head towards San Antonio and help defend the Alamo which was
under siege.

•

However, Houston urged them to stay and create a constitution

and plan a government for their new republic.

•

Because many of the delegates were born in the U.S, it was no

surprise that the Texas constitution mirrored that of the U.S

•

Like the U.S, the Texas government was divided into three

branches ; Legislative, executive and judicial.

The Constitution of 1836 - continued

⧫ Much like the U.S, the Republic of Texas was based on

the idea of Popular Sovereignty or the belief that the
power to create or change the government comes from
the people.

⧫ At the same time, the constitution reflected some

Spanish and Mexican influence, especially in areas
dealing with property ownership.

⧫ The Constitution also included the Republic of Texas Bill

of Rights.

Multiple Select

What actions were taken during the Convention of 1836? Select all that apply.

• Texas delegates set up an ad interim government

• Texas delegates wrote a Declaration of Independence

• Texas delegates wrote a letter to the United States asking for annexation

• Grievances were addressed in the Texas Constitution of 1836

What did the Texas Constitution include?

The new Republic of Texas Constitution included the following:
1.)

Freedom of Religion / Mexico required people to be Catholic.

2.)

Freedom of Speech

3.)

Protection from unlawful arrests.

4.)

Slavery was also allowed once again in Texas. / Mexico banned slavery.

5.)

Freed slaves or Native Americans had to petition Congress to become a Texas citizen.

Multiple Select

What are some similarities between the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution? Select all that apply.

• Popular Sovereignty

• Bill of Rights

• Freedom of Religion and Speech

• Freedom to declare war

Texas selects an Ad interim Government.

Because Texas was at war, the delegates at the Convention of
1836 needed to create an ad interim (temporary government).
The new leaders would be chosen once republic-wide
elections could take place.

Ad interim President would be David G. Burnet
Ad interim Vice President would Lorenzo de Zavala

Match

Match the following

• William B. Travis

• Due Process

• Juan Seguin

• Reinforcements

• Stephen F. Austin

wrote a letter asking for reinforcement

Fair proceeding

Messenger during Alamo siege

help or aid

1st Large Anglo colony

• wrote a letter asking for reinforcement

• Fair proceeding

• Messenger during Alamo siege

• help or aid

• 1st Large Anglo colony

Match

Match the following

• Turtle Bayou Resolutions

• Law of April 6, 1830

• Constitution of 1824

• State Colonization Law of 1825

• Battle of Gonzales

Texans supported Santa Anna

Banned U.S. immigration & slavery

required Texans to be Catholic

Allowed Empresario system to continue

1st battle of Texas Revolution

• Texans supported Santa Anna

• Banned U.S. immigration & slavery

• required Texans to be Catholic

• Allowed Empresario system to continue

• 1st battle of Texas Revolution

Reorder

Reorder the following: Put in order the following events starting with what happened 1st to last.

• Law of April 6, 1830

• Turtle Bayou Resolutions

• Battle of Gonzales

• The Alamo

• Convention of 1836

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5