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e Story Continues
Rain made travel rough. But on March 1, 1836, delegates
began to arrive in Washington-on-the-Brazos. At the newly
built settlement, delegates found the streets full of ankle-
deep mud. The convention met in a small unfurnished
building. Only cloth covered its window openings, and chilly
winds blew through the building regularly. In spite of the
uncomfortable conditions, the delegates were determined to
accomplish their task.
Texas Declares Independence
At Washington-on-the-Brazos, a group of prominent Texans waited anx-
iously for news from the Alamo. They had gathered for the Convention
of 1836, which began on March 1, just days before the Alamo’s fall. Many
of the convention’s 59 delegates, including Sam Houston, had served in
the U.S. government. Another, Lorenzo de Zavala, had served in the
Mexican Congress.
Although not all of the delegates had arrived yet, the convention
acted quickly to declare independence from Mexico. On March 2, 1836,
the delegates voted unanimously to accept the Texas Declaration of
Independence. Copies of the document were sent to towns around Texas
to help spread the word to the people.
Why It Matters Today
On March 2, 1836, convention delegates adopted the
Texas Declaration of Independence. Today, March 2 is an
official state holiday. Use current events sources to learn
about how people around the world celebrate their
nations’ independence today.
Key Terms and People
•Convention of 1836
•Lorenzo de Zavala
•George C. Childress
•popular sovereignty
•bill of rights
•petition
•ad interim
•David G. Burnet
Main Ideas
1. The Convention of 1836 declared Texan independence.
2. The Constitution of 1836 established the first
government for the Republic of Texas.
The Convention of 1836
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3D, 14A, 21A, 21B,
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Written mostly by George C. Childress, the declaration was mod-
eled after the U.S. Declaration of Independence. It listed the complaints
Texans had against Santa Anna’s government. Because the government
had denied the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of 1824, Texans
could no longer tolerate being part of Mexico.
Of the 59 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, 56
were Anglos. Two, José Antonio Navarro and José Francisco Ruiz, were
Tejanos and one, Lorenzo de Zavala, was Mexican. With their adoption
of the declaration, the Republic of Texas was born. Texans today celebrate
March 2 as Texas Independence Day.
Reading Check Summarizing What was the first significant action of
the Convention of 1836, and why did the delegates take that action?
The Constitution of 1836
After accepting the Texas Declaration of Independence, some delegates
wanted to rush to San Antonio to aid the defenders of the Alamo, which
was still under siege. But Sam Houston urged the delegates to stay and
create a constitution, or a plan for government, for their new republic.
Most of the delegates to the Convention of 1836 had been born in the
United States. It is not surprising, then, that the Constitution they cre-
ated was modeled after the U.S. Constitution. Like the U.S. government,
the Texas government was to be divided into three branches—legislative,
executive, and judicial. Also like in the United States, citizens would
elect their leaders. Just like the United States, the Republic of Texas was
based on the idea of popular sovereignty, the notion that the power to
create or change the government comes from the people. At the same
time, though, the Constitution reflected some Spanish and Mexican
influence, especially in areas dealing with property ownership.
Interpreting Visuals
The Birthplace of Texas.
This modern reconstruction
in Washington-on-the-
Brazos re-creates the
building in which delegates
to the Convention of 1836
wrote the Texas Declaration
of Independence. Why do
you think Washington-on-
the-Brazos has been called
the birthplace of Texas?
Image Credit: ©Witold Skrypczak/Alamy
The Texas Revolution241
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ONLINE QUIZ
By declaring independence from Mexico, the Convention of 1836 had
claimed political freedom for Texas. In the Constitution, they worked
to introduce civil and religious freedom as well. The Constitution of
the Republic of Texas included a bill of rights, or statement of basic
rights that the government cannot take away from citizens. Under the
new constitution, Texans who had immigrated from the United States
enjoyed many of the same civil rights they previously had. For example,
the constitution protected freedom of speech and protected people from
unlawful arrests. Before, all Texans had been required to be Catholic,
but now they could worship as they pleased. The constitution also called
for a public school system and a policy of giving land to settlers.
The new Texas constitution also allowed slavery to continue and
legalized the purchase of new slaves. It also enslaved African Americans
who had been brought into Texas as contract laborers. Neither African
Americans nor American Indians were allowed to be citizens without
the permission of Congress. Any free African Americans who wanted to
remain in Texas had to petition the government. A petition is a formal
request. Among those who did so was Samuel McCulloch Jr., the first
Texan casualty of the revolution. He was wounded at Goliad in 1835.
Because Texas was at war, the delegates at the Convention of 1836
created an ad interim, or temporary, government. New leaders would be
chosen once republic-wide elections could be held. David G. Burnet was
selected as the interim president, and Lorenzo de Zavala as vice presi-
dent. They took office on March 17, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Later that day, they fled after hearing that the Mexican army was near.
The government set up again at Harrisburg, but was forced to flee again.
Constantly on the move, the ad interim government had to leave the
future of the Republic in the hands of Sam Houston and the army.
Reading Check Comparing How was the Texas Constitution similar to
the U.S. Constitution?
BIOGRAPHY
Lorenzo de Zavala
(c.1788–1836) Before
moving to Texas, Lorenzo
de Zavala served as a
Mexican congressman
and governor. In 1829 he
received a colonization
contract to settle 500
families in East Texas, but
never built his colony. He
served as a diplomat for
Mexico but resigned in
protest of Santa Anna’s
actions. As a delegate
to the Convention of
1836 and admirer of
the U.S. Constitution,
Zavala played a key role
in drafting the Texas
Constitution and was
elected vice president.
How was Zavala
important to the Texas
Revolution?
1. Define and explain:
• popular sovereignty
• bill of rights
• petition
• ad interim
2. Identify and explain:
• Convention of 1836
• Lorenzo de Zavala
• George C. Childress
• David G. Burnet
3. Locate on a map:
• Washingon-on-the-
Brazos
4. Identifying Points
of View
Copy the graphic
organizer below. Use
it to explain why the
convention dele gates
created the documents
listed below.
5. Finding the Main Idea
a. How did the political experiences of the
delegates affect the convention?
b. How did the Republic of Texas bring political,
civil, and religious freedom to Texas?
6. Writing and Critical Thinking
Comparing Imagine that you are reporting
on the Convention of 1836. Write an article
describing how the structure of the new
government is a reflection of some ideas in the
U.S. Constitution.
Consider the following:
• structure of the new government
• rights guaranteed in the Texas documents
Section
4
Review
Document
Declaration of
Independence
Constitution
Delegates’
Purpose
Image Credit: ©Museum of History, Houston
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