Pre-AP – Use your cell phone to research these years in TX history. Some you should know, some you won’t. What was going on then? (1824, 1827, 1836, 1845, 1861, 1866, 1869, and 1876)

On-Level – A constitution tells what a government may do, must do, and cannot do. What are some of these things that we learned last week?

JUMPSTART – In your notebook!

Many Texans may know that this land now called Texas has existed under the flags of six different nations. However, very few Texans probably know that during its colorful history Texas has existed under 8 different constitutions, each written and adopted in a distinct historical setting.

TX History through Constitutions

1st under which Texas existed Combined Coahuila and Texas as a single

state Allowed for states rights Catholic was the national religion

The Federal Constitution of Mexican States 1824

Run by a governor and a unicameral congress

Describes the functions of ayuntamientos and alcaldes

Outlawed torture and the introduction of slaves

The Constitution of the State of Coahuila y Tejas 1827

Influenced by the U.S. document Created a bicameral Congress Chief Executive would be a President

chosen by the people Allowed for slavery and individual rights Every head of family received a league and

labor of land.

The Republic of Texas 1836

Generally considered to be the best. Borrowed ideas from the Republic and

southern states like Louisiana Chief Executive would be a governor chosen

by the people A duel would keep you out of office Lottery was prohibited Allowed for slavery and passed laws that

said slaves had to “treated w/humanity”.

The State of Texas 1845

Written after Texas secession in the Civil War to join the Confederate States of America

Basically identical to the 1845 document Slavery laws were more detailed—

Legislature cannot pass laws to emancipate slaves nor could an owner emancipate his slaves.

The State of Texas 1861

5th – after the Civil War Indians, Africans, and descendants of

Africans were still denied the right to vote. Increased the Supreme Court Contained a section of the rights of

“Freedmen” related to the 13th Amendment that outlawed slavery.

The State of Texas 1866

Required to grant African Americans the right to vote and to ratify the 14th Amendment

Legislature met annually Governor’s terms were upped to 4 years

w/no term limits Gave the governor a great deal of power

The State of Texas 1869

“The best government is the least government.”

Severely reduced the powers of the Governor (today known as one of the weakest)

Limited the legislature to biennial sessions Contains lengthy details of local

governments 3 Branches have a great deal more

restrictions than in the past

The State of Texas 1876