The Young StateThe Young State

A New State GovernmentA New State Government

p. 322 - 325p. 322 - 325

A New ConstitutionA New Constitution The delegates attending the convention in July of The delegates attending the convention in July of

1845 worked hard at writing a new constitution.1845 worked hard at writing a new constitution. Texans patterned the basic government Texans patterned the basic government

document after the constitutions of other states.document after the constitutions of other states. The The Constitution of 1845Constitution of 1845 provided for a governor provided for a governor

to be elected for a two-year term. to be elected for a two-year term. It also provided for a It also provided for a legislaturelegislature made up of two made up of two

houses (bi-cameral).houses (bi-cameral). House of Representatives – 2 year termHouse of Representatives – 2 year term Senate – 4 year termSenate – 4 year term

The Constitution created a supreme court and The Constitution created a supreme court and district and county courts.district and county courts.

It protected slavery and barred women from It protected slavery and barred women from voting. voting.

Texas Legislators at Texas Legislators at WorkWork Governors could not serve more than 2 terms Governors could not serve more than 2 terms

in a row. They had to be citizens and in a row. They had to be citizens and residents of Texas for at least 3 years before residents of Texas for at least 3 years before their election and must be at least 30 years their election and must be at least 30 years of age.of age.

J. Pinkney Henderson was elected as the first J. Pinkney Henderson was elected as the first governor. governor.

Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk were the Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk were the first Texans elected to the U.S. Senate. first Texans elected to the U.S. Senate.

David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury were David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Members of the early Texas legislature kept Members of the early Texas legislature kept busy trying to solve the problems of the busy trying to solve the problems of the young state. young state.

Political PartiesPolitical Parties By the 1850s political parties became By the 1850s political parties became

organized in Texas. organized in Texas. Most of the leaders of early Texas joined the Most of the leaders of early Texas joined the

Democratic Party because the Democratic Democratic Party because the Democratic Party had favored Texas annexation.Party had favored Texas annexation.

The Democratic Party generally represented The Democratic Party generally represented farmers and laborers.farmers and laborers.

The Whig Party – the other major political The Whig Party – the other major political party – represented mostly business and party – represented mostly business and commercial interests. commercial interests.

Whigs opposed expanding slavery to the Whigs opposed expanding slavery to the nation’s new territories. nation’s new territories.

Political PartiesPolitical Parties Some Texans joined the American, Some Texans joined the American,

or Know-Nothing Party who tried to or Know-Nothing Party who tried to keep immigrants from voting or keep immigrants from voting or holding public office.holding public office.

They were called Know-Nothings They were called Know-Nothings because, when asked about their because, when asked about their organizations or activities, the organizations or activities, the replied, “I know nothing.”replied, “I know nothing.”

Free African Americans were not Free African Americans were not eligible to vote or join political eligible to vote or join political parties. parties.

Federal Aid for Federal Aid for ReservationsReservations The Federal government stationed troops in western The Federal government stationed troops in western

Texas to prevent clashes between settlers and Native Texas to prevent clashes between settlers and Native Americans. Americans.

The Federal government built a new string of seven The Federal government built a new string of seven forts about 100 miles to the west. forts about 100 miles to the west.

As settlers pushed westward, clashed between the As settlers pushed westward, clashed between the newcomers and Native Americans increased. newcomers and Native Americans increased.

The United Stated government made plans to relocate The United Stated government made plans to relocate Native Americans to reservations.Native Americans to reservations.

The Texas reservation system never was a success The Texas reservation system never was a success because the Native Americans were not given enough because the Native Americans were not given enough land and some refused to adopt the restricted way of land and some refused to adopt the restricted way of life. life.

In 1859, the government decided to move the Native In 1859, the government decided to move the Native Americans into the Indian Territory, north of the Red Americans into the Indian Territory, north of the Red River.River.