1. Chapter 2 –The Texas Constitution

2. Constitutional Government
Document that establishes principles, powers, and responsibilities of government
Bill of Rights
A formal declaration of the rights of the citizens within government

3. Constitutional Government
Legitimacy of government rested on the consent of the governed
Social Contract
Individualism valued
Separation of powers among three branches

4. 1827 Constitution of the State of Coahuila and Tejas
The Roots of Rebellion and the Declaration of Independence
1827 Constitution of the State of Coahuila and Tejas
Three branches of government
Freedom of speech
All Catholic
Limited voting rights to those who could read and employed
High point of liberty for Mexican colonists

5. Declaration of Independence March 2, 1836
The Roots of Rebellion and the Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
March 2, 1836
Mexico abandoned the constitutional principles of the Constitution of 1824
Compromised the republican principles of self-government and representation

6. The 1836 Constitution of the Republic
Voiced the ideals of frontier independence
Prohibition of monopolies for businesses
Separation of powers
Most authority in legislature
Aversion to centralized power

7. The 1836 Constitution of the Republic
Slavery
Government cannot prohibit
Emancipated slaves must leave Texas
Strong linkage to slavery prevented entrance into the United States

8. The 1845 Constitution of the (New) State of Texas
Joining the United States
Slavery issue
Mexico threatened war
James Polk initiated Texas joining
Formal entry in December of 1845
Needed a new state constitution

9. The 1845 Constitution of the (New) State of Texas
Modeled after Louisiana Constitution
Similar to Constitution of 1836
Legislative Branch
Doors of legislative building physically kept open during sessions
Legislators paid $3 each day
More muscular judicial authority
Greater access to court system

10. The 1845 Constitution of the (New) State of Texas
Homestead Law
Came out of Constitution of 1845
Prevents Texans from losing homes in event of bankruptcy
Settlers left creditors behind when came to Texas, did not want to lose homestead
Women allowed to own property if owned before marriage or acquired during marriage

11. Decade of 1860s: Constitution rewritten three times 1861
Secession, Reconstruction, and The Constitutions of 1861, 1866, and 1869
Decade of 1860s: Constitution rewritten three times
1861
Confederacy Constitution
1866
Readmission Constitution
1869
Reconstruction Constitution

12. The Constitution of 1876-The Current Constitution
Return to limited government and frugality
Principles
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Separation of Powers
Personal Rights and Liberties

13. The Constitution of 1876-The Current Constitution
Popular Sovereignty
The people rule through suffrage
Constitution extended suffrage to all males
Limited Government
Impact of government is kept as small as possible
Fragment executive branch
Plural executive
Separation of Powers
Each branch specializes
Greatest authority in Legislative Branch
Personal Rights and Liberties
Liberty, equality and freedom

14. Amending the Constitution
Constitutional Amendments
673 proposed since 1876
491 approved
Changes to state government that requires expanding state authority
Pass rate
Most amendments put to voters pass
74 percent have passed
Low citizen participation
Legislators require voters to decide controversial issues

15. Amending the Constitution
Four Step Process for Amendments
Two-thirds of both houses of the legislature propose an amendment
Secretary of State and Attorney General approve
Voters have final say: majority must approve
Governor finalizes the new amendment with a proclamation