The Republic of Texas

​Texas won its independence and became an independent nation when it defeated General Santa Anna’s army at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. The leaders of the Republic of Texas faced the monumental task of creating and running a new country. The leaders of the interim government signed the Texas Constitution of 1836, even before the Battle of the Alamo. After winning their freedom, the people of Texas had the right to follow the constitution.

Multiple Choice

In which battle did Texas win its independence?

• Alamo

• Gonzales

• San Jacinto

• Concepción

​The Constitution of the Republic of Texas, 1836, was influenced by the United States Constitution. It consists of the preamble (or introduction), six articles, schedule, general provisions, and the Declaration of Rights. The preamble explains the purpose of the document. The six articles defined the structure and purpose of the government. It divided the government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial.

​The people of the Republic of Texas now had the right to choose their elected officials. On Sept. 15, 1836, Sam Houston was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas. He received 4,000 more votes than his opponents. Mirabeau Lamar was elected vice president. With the elections over, Houston, Lamar, and their cabinet had to begin running a new country.

Multiple Choice

Who was elected the first president of the Republic of Texas in 1836.

• Santa Anna

• Stephen F. Austin

• Sam Houston

​The legislative branch consisted of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is known as a bicameral legislature. Both houses made up the Texas Congress. The Texas Congress had the power to make laws, impose and collect taxes, and regulate trade. They could also establish post offices and post roads, issue patents to inventors and authors, declare war, and maintain military forces.

Multiple Choice

What branch establishes post offices?

• bureaucratic

• executive

• judicial

• legislative

​The executive branch included the president and vice president. The president served as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president also had the power to issue pardons, make treaties with the approval of Congress, fill Senate vacancies between elections, and appoint individuals to executive offices. The vice president was responsible for taking over presidential duties in the event of the president’s death or removal from office.

​The judicial branch was responsible for upholding the laws created by the legislative branch. The judicial branch was led by the Supreme Court. County and district courts reported to the Supreme Court. Congress appointed judges to serve in all state courts. Voters in each district could elect sheriffs, justices of the peace, and constables to maintain law and order.

​The Declaration of Rights defined the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of the Republic of Texas. Congress did not have the right to establish a national religion or dictate what religion their citizens could practice. The government could not make laws that restricted freedom of speech or freedom of the press. Citizens also had the right to a trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the freedom from unreasonable search and seizures by the government. Male citizens over the age of 21 were also given the right to vote. This right did not extend to African American or American Indian men. Women were not allowed to vote at all.

Multiple Choice

True and False

​The Declaration of Rights defined the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of the Republic of Texas.

• True

• False

​The Texas constitution also defined the terms of slavery and legalized it in the Republic of Texas. The constitution stated that Congress could not pass any laws that prohibited American immigrants from bringing enslaved persons to the Republic of Texas. Enslavers did not have the power to free enslaved individuals without permission from Congress. Enslaved persons and American Indians were not considered citizens and were not given any rights.

Multiple Choice

True or False

Enslaved persons and American Indians were not considered citizens and were not given any rights.

• True

• False