15.2 2/23

Warm up: Imagine you are in charge of starting a new club at Whitehouse Jr. High What would be some of the first actions you would need to take? How would you organize your club? Who would be in charge?

Constitution of 1845 and a New State Government First chose delegates to the Convention of 1845 United States, Republic of Texas, and Louisiana constitutions used as models Delegates were intelligent men including judges, lawyers and legislators. Jose Antonio Navarro was the only native Texan and the only Tejano at the convention Constitution was ratified in October 1845

Steps Taken to Organize the New State Government Held the convention of 1845 Wrote and approved the Constitution of 1845 Elected state officials including a governor, James Pinckney Henderson. Turned over government operations to state officials Turned over several military and public properties to the federal government Chose two officials to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate

New Government 3 Branches Governor was head of Executive branch, served for 2 years. Legislative branch included senate and a house of representatives. House members served 2 years and senators 4 years. They met every 2 years or biennially. The court system consisted of a supreme court and district courts.

Voting Voters chose state leaders Men over 21 who were white or Tejanos African Americans and American Indians and women could not vote or hold office.

Women rights Women could not vote A husband could not sell the family homestead without his wife’s permission Married women could own property from their parents

Other Banks were banned in Texas Corporations, companies who sell shares of ownership to investors, needed the legislature’s permission to operate in Texas. Texas could not have more than $100,000 in debt unless it was an emergency

Government control Army post and public building turned over to the Federal Government U.S. Representatives were chosen by the legislature. They chose Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk

The first election Governor: James Pinckney Henderson Lieutenant Governor: Albert C. Horton Chief Justice: John Himphill

Branches of Government Voting and Holding Office TEXAS CONSTITUTION OF 1845 Branches of Government Voting and Holding Office Economy Protections Executive Judicial Legislative white and Tejano males 21 years of age or older limited state debt; banned banks homesteads; women’s property rights