Constitution of the Republic of Texas
- Constitution of the Republic of Texas
-
The Constitution of the Republic of Texas was written in 1836 between the fall of the Alamo Mission in San Antonio and Sam Houston's stunning victory at San Jacinto. The constitution was written quickly and while on the run from Santa Anna.
Comparison to the United States Constitution
The Constitution generally followed the U.S. constitution. Many clauses are word-for-word duplicates of clauses in the American constitution, and many others are paraphrased.
The Texas Government was composed of a House of Representatives, a Senate, and a President. Representatives and Senators served terms of one and three years, respectively. However a three-year term limit was placed on the president, he was elected by popular vote instead of by an electoral college, and he was not allowed to run for direct re-election (indirect was allowed). In an effort to reduce religious influences, the constitution prohibited clergy from holding office.
Slavery
Slavery was legalized and the head of each household was given a sizable land grant. The constitution also denied citizenship to African-Americans and Native Americans. Furthermore, it made it illegal for slaveowners to emancipate their own slaves without the consent of Congress.
See also
References
- Rupert N. Richardson, Adrian Anderson, and Ernest Wallace, Texas: The Lone Star State (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1993), p. 110.
External links
Categories:
- Defunct state constitutions of the United States
- Republic of Texas
- United States law stubs
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Congress of the Republic of Texas — For the current Texas legislative body, see Texas Legislature. Republic of Texas Congress Type Type Bicameral … Wikipedia
List of Vice Presidents of the Republic of Texas — The Vice Presidents of the Republic of Texas (1836 1846) were elected by the people of Texas during the period of the Republic of Texas. These men were first in line to succeed the President of Texas upon his death, resignation, or removal. As… … Wikipedia
Timeline of the Republic of Texas — This is a timeline of the Republic of Texas, spanning the time from the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836 up to the transfer of power to the State of Texas on February 19, 1846. 1836Texas Declares Independence *1836… … Wikipedia
Republic of Texas — Lone Star Republic redirects here. For the West Florida Lone Star Republic, see Republic of West Florida. Republic of Texas ← … Wikipedia
History of the University of Texas at Austin — The history of the University of Texas at Austin began in 1827 as a provision in the Constitución de Coahuila y Texas. However, delays, inaction, and war caused the construction of the university to be postponed until 1882. Classes officially… … Wikipedia
Texas — • Includes geography, history, demographic, and government information Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Texas Texas † … Catholic encyclopedia
Texas Constitution — The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. State of Texas. Texas has had seven constitutions: the constitution of Coahuila y Tejas, the 1836 Constitution of the… … Wikipedia
Texas Constable — The Texas Constable is enshrined in the Texas Constitution of 1956 (Article 5, Section 18), which provides for the election of a constable in each precinct of a county, and counties may have between one and eight precincts each depending on their … Wikipedia
Texas Annexation — The Texas Annexation of 1845 was the voluntary annexation of the Republic of Texas by the United States of America as Texas, the 28th state. The new state of Texas included all of present day Texas, plus portions of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas,… … Wikipedia
Texas–Indian Wars — The Texas Indian Wars were a series of conflicts between settlers in Texas and Plains Indians. These conflicts began when the first settlers moved into Spanish Texas, and continued through Texas s time as part of Mexico, as its own nation,… … Wikipedia