9-3: The Convention of 1836

The Convention of 1836 met at Washington-on-the-Brazos and began on March 1, 1836, with 59 delegates in attendance.

Photo By Mrs. Phillips

A person who is elected to represent people in an area.

The meeting was held in an unfinished building with no glass in the frames. A Norther blew in and it was freezing cold.

The chairman was Richard Ellis. Among the members were Sam Houston and Lorenzo de Zavalla.

The delegates had 2 jobs:

1)Write the Declaration of Independence

2)Write a constitution

This document was adopted unanimously and similar to that of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The author was George C. Childress.

Adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence

George C. Childress

The Declaration stated that Santa Anna had violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of 1824.1. deprived of religious freedom2. the right to a trial by a jury3. the right to bear arms and the

right to petition4. Mexico had failed to provided a

system of public education

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

Author George C. Childress

The Adoption of the Constitution

Completed and approved on March 17, 1836. Provisions of the Constitution:

3 Branches of Government1. Executive – chief governing officer2. Legislative – lawmaking body3. Judicial – courts

3 Branches of Government

1. Executive – chief governing officer (President)

-enforces the laws2. Legislative – Congress which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate

-makes the laws3. Judicial – courts and Supreme Court

-interprets the laws

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.

Ad Interim Government

An ad interim 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.

Ad Interim Government

President

David G. Burnet

Vice President

Lorenzo De

Zavala

Commander of the Army

Sam Houston

Secretary of War

Thomas Rusk

The convention adjourned on March 17th because of word of the Fall of the Alamo.The Government then fled to Harrisburg.

Declaration of Independence Sketch: Create an old looking document that is titled: Texas Declaration of Independence. In the middle copy the paragraph from pg. 215 in your textbook. Make sure that you write the date March 2, 1836 and the author’s name.

Interactive Notebook Assignment: (See Table of Contents

for page #)