Day 3 Convention of 1836

The Convention of 1836 met at Washington -On-the-Brazos and began on March 1, 1836, with 59 delegates (a person who is elected to represent people in an area) in attendance.  The meeting was held in an unfinished building with no glass in the frames.  A norther blew in and it was freezing cold.  Santa Anna’s attack had crushed any wish to remain part of Mexico. The Chairman of the Convention was Richard Ellis.  Among the members were Sam Houston and Lorenzo de Zavalla.

The Convention of 1836

The delegates had 2 jobs:

(1)   Write the Declaration of Independence

(2)   Write a Constitution

The Delegates had 2 jobs.

Adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence

This document was adopted unanimously and similar to that of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The author was George C. Childress.  The Declaration stated that Santa Anna had violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of 1824.

1. deprived of religious freedom

2. the right to a trial by a jury

3. the right to bear arms and the right to petition

4. Mexico had failed to provided a system of public education

Multiple Choice

Who wrote the Texas Declaration of Independence?

• George Childress

• Thomas Jefferson

• Stephen F Austin

• Sam Houston

Multiple Choice

What country did Childress base the Texas Declaration of Independence on?

• Britain

• Mexico

• Spain

• United States

The Declaration of independence was signed on March 2, 1836 this is celebrated as Texas Independence Day! 

Why was it logical that Childress based the Texas Declaration of independence on the U.S. version? (on your paper)

Multiple Choice

When is Texas Independence Day?

• July 4th

• March 2nd

• May 5th

• March 22nd

The Adoption of the Constitution
Completed and approved on March 17, 1836. Provisions of the Constitution:
3  Branches of Government
1.  Executive –Chief governing officer (President) Enforces the law
2.  Legislative –law making which includes the House   of  Representatives and the Senate=Congress

Makes the law
3.  Judicial – courts and the Supreme Courts

Explains the law

Match

Match the following

• Makes the laws

• Explains the laws

• Enforces/

  Carries out the laws

Legislative

Judicial

Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial

• Executive

Multiple Choice

Why do you think having 3 branches of government has been so successful for so long? Answer on your paper!

• ensure a separation of powers

• citizens’ rights are protected

• each branch has the power to stop the other branches

• all of these are reasons why the branches of been so successful for so long

Bill of Rights:  Freedom of the speech, of the press, religion, trial by jury, and other civil rights.

slavery was made legal, and free slaves were not permitted to live in Texas. The only way they could live in Texas was to petition the Texas Congress.  

Interim Government

An Interim Government  or provisional (temporary) government was set up until the people could vote on September 1, 1836 to approve the Constitution and elect a permanent president.

President - David G. Burnett

Vice President - Lorenzo de Zavala

Secretary of War -Thomas Rusk

Commander of Army- Sam Houston

The convention adjourned on March 17th because of word of the fall of the Alamo.

They remain at Washington on the Brazos from March 1st – March 17, 1836 when they fled from Santa Anna toward Harrisburg and Galveston Island.