1. Road to Independence
The Convention of 1836 p

2. Santa Anna Crosses into Texas
In 1835, the council called for a new convention to be held in March 1836.
Santa Anna’s army arrived in San Antonio on February 23.
Texans still remaining in San Antonio moved to the Alamo.

3. The Convention Declares Independence
The Convention of 1836 began on March 1, with 59 delegates.
Most delegates were white males from America; only 2 members were native Texans.
The convention voted to write a declaration of independence.
The declaration was written by George C. Childress, from Tennessee.

4. The Convention Declares Independence
The Texas Declaration listed grievances against Santa Anna:
The government of Santa Anna had violated the liberties guaranteed under the Mexican Constitution of 1824.
Charged that Texans had been deprived of freedom of religion
The right to trial by jury
Right to bear arms
Right to petition, or formal request, from the government.
Mexico had failed to provide a system of public education.
The Declaration was unanimously accepted on March 2, 1836.

5. The Delegates Write a Constitution
After declaring independence, Texas now needed a constitution (government) for the new republic.
The Texas Constitution was complete and accepted on March 16, 1836.
Sections of the Texas Constitution were copied from the United States Declaration
Texas made 3 branches of government:
Executive – executes laws (chief executive – president)
Legislative – makes laws
Judicial – interprets laws.

6. The Delegates Write a Constitution
The Texas Constitution contained a Bill of Rights, guaranteeing:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of the press
Freedom of religion
Trial by jury
The Texas Constitution made slavery legal.
Free African Americans were not permitted to live in the Republic of Texas without congressional permission.

7. The Ad Interim Government Takes Control
It was not possible for Texas to hold an election to approve the constitution or vote for a leader of the new republic because of the Mexican troops in Texas.
The convention selected officers for an ad interim, or temporary, government.
David G. Burnet was chosen as the ad interim president.
Sam Houston was unanimously elected as commander in chief of the army.