Convention of 1836 Part 2

Constitution of 1836

The authors decided to use other documents as their models. Most of the delegates were very familiar with the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, and the U.S. Constitution. 

Executive branch: President; strong powers;

Legislative branch: Two houses;

Bill of Rights;

Slavery protected;

Similarities

Texas Constitution vs. U.S. Constitution

Limits on Rights

The Convention of 1836 did not treat all people of Texas equally. For example, the Texas Constitution made slavery legal, and people moving into Texas had the right to bring in enslaved people.

Free African Americans were not permitted to live in the Republic of Texas without the permission of the legislature, and their rights to own land were restricted. 

Restrictions

They were denied the right to be freed.

Freedom

Enslaved people were given no rights

African Americans who fought for Texas independence found themselves in a frustrating position. They were unable to live freely in the state that they, as free people, had helped liberate.

Fighting for Freedom

Native American Rights

• Native American rights were also left out of the Constitution.

• In 1835 Sam Houston, an adopted member of the Cherokee Nation, began discussions about a treaty with the Cherokee.

• The treaty was finalized in February of 1836. It granted the Cherokee people the rights to their land.

• It never took effect, however, because the convention did not approve it.