Chapter 9 Road to Independence Section III The Convention of 1836

Santa Anna Crosses Into Texas December 1835, the council-over the veto of Governor Smith- called for anew convention, to be held in March 1836 Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio on February 23 Texans moved into the Alamo-making it stronger and other Texans were traveling to Washington-on-the-Brazos

The Convention Declares Independence The Convention of 1836 began its work on March 1, 1836, with 59 delegates Jose Antonio Navarro and Jose Francisco Ruiz- only 2 Native Texans 45 of the delegates were native of southern states of the US First work was to elect Richard Ellis as chairman H.S. Kimble-secretary of the meeting Motion passed to write a declaration of independence from Mexico The declaration was written by George C. Childress the next morning-a recent rival from Texas

Convention of Declares Independence The Texas Declaration was similar to the US one which was written 60 years earlier Liberties were violated by the government and Santa Anna that were protected under constitution of 1824 They had been deprived freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition, or request something from, the government

Declaration Proclaimed “The people of Texas, in solemn convention assembled, appealing to a candid world for the necessities of our condition, do hereby resolve and declare that our political connection with the Mexican nation has forever ended; and that the people of Texas do now constitute a free, sovereign, and independent republic.”

Adopted The declaration on Independence was adopted by unanimous vote of the Convention on March 2, 1836, and the delegates present signed the document This day March 2, is celebrated as Texas Independence Day! Reading check! What grievances did the Texas Declaration of Independence address? Liberties were violated by the government and Santa Anna that were protected under constitution of 1824 They had been deprived freedom of religion, the right to trial by jury, the right to bear arms, and the right to petition, or request something from, the government Mexico also did not provide public education; and they met Texan protests with force

The Delegates Write a Constitution A constitution for the new republic-completed and approved on March 16, 1836 The constitution is similar to that of the US Provisions were made for 3 branches of government Executive- chief governing Legislative- law making Judicial- court

The Delegates Write a Constitution The constitution contained the Bill of Rights- guaranteed freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, trial by jury and other basic civil rights, Or guaranteed freedoms Other provisions included- separation of church and state, ministers and priests were barred from holding public office, and property could be jointly owned by husbands and wives

Delegates Write a Constitution Slavery made legal Legislature was forbidden to free slaves in Texas Free Africans were not permitted to live in Republic of Texas without congressional permission; even the ones who fought for Texas independence Reading Check! What were some of the provisions guaranteed mentioned in the Bill of Rights for Texas? Freedom of Speech; freedom of press; freedom of Religion; trial by jury, and other basic civil rights-guaranteed freedoms

The Ad Interim Government Takes Control The convention's last act was to select officers for an ad interim, or temporary, government These officers were to serve until regular elections could be held. David G. Burnet- interim president Sam Houston- commander in chief of both the regular and volunteer army Reading Check! Who was the president of the ad interim government? David G. Burnet

Santa Anna Advances March 17 the convention adjourned, two days earlier reports had been received that the Alamo had fallen Santa Anna’s army was headed toward the Washington on the Brazos Our government established themselves at Harrisburg-small town that today is apart of Houston Santa arrived the government fleed and then they were forced toward Galveston The future looked bleak for the new Republic of Texas Reading Check! Why was the ad interim government forced to flee so many times? The government did not want to be captured by Santa Anna’s troops.

Recap! 1. Who were the two native Texans that attended the Convention of 1836? Jose Antonio Navarro and Jose Francisco Ruiz 2. What were some of the key points of the Texas Declaration of Independence adopted by the Convention of 1836? Established branches of government; bill of rights; made slavery legal

Ad Interim Government Officers fill in the chart using your textbook Elected Position Name President David G. Burnet Vice President Secretary of State Secretary of Treasury Secretary of War Secretary of Navy Attorney of General Commander of the Army