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The Young State

Explore the formation of Texas' 1845 Constitution, its impact on governance, political parties, and federal involvement in reservations. Learn about the early government structure and influences shaping Texas as a young state.

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The Young State

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  1. The Young State A New State Government p. 322 - 325

  2. A New Constitution • The delegates attending the convention in July of 1845 worked hard at writing a new constitution. • Texans patterned the basic government document after the constitutions of other states. • The Constitution of 1845 provided for a governor to be elected for a two-year term. • It also provided for a legislature made up of two houses (bi-cameral). • House of Representatives – 2 year term • Senate – 4 year term • The Constitution created a supreme court and district and county courts. • It protected slavery and barred women from voting.

  3. Texas Legislators at Work • Governors could not serve more than 2 terms in a row. They had to be citizens and residents of Texas for at least 3 years before their election and must be at least 30 years of age. • J. Pinkney Henderson was elected as the first governor. • Sam Houston and Thomas J. Rusk were the first Texans elected to the U.S. Senate. • David Kaufman and Timothy Pillsbury were elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. • Members of the early Texas legislature kept busy trying to solve the problems of the young state.

  4. Political Parties • By the 1850s political parties became organized in Texas. • Most of the leaders of early Texas joined the Democratic Party because the Democratic Party had favored Texas annexation. • The Democratic Party generally represented farmers and laborers. • The Whig Party – the other major political party – represented mostly business and commercial interests. • Whigs opposed expanding slavery to the nation’s new territories.

  5. Political Parties • Some Texans joined the American, or Know-Nothing Party who tried to keep immigrants from voting or holding public office. • They were called Know-Nothings because, when asked about their organizations or activities, the replied, “I know nothing.” • Free African Americans were not eligible to vote or join political parties.

  6. Federal Aid for Reservations • The Federal government stationed troops in western Texas to prevent clashes between settlers and Native Americans. • The Federal government built a new string of seven forts about 100 miles to the west. • As settlers pushed westward, clashed between the newcomers and Native Americans increased. • The United Stated government made plans to relocate Native Americans to reservations. • The Texas reservation system never was a success because the Native Americans were not given enough land and some refused to adopt the restricted way of life. • In 1859, the government decided to move the Native Americans into the Indian Territory, north of the Red River.

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