The Constitution of 1845

Students learn about the Constitution of 1845 and the three branches of government it defines: legislative, executive, and judicial. Then they explore some unusual additions to the constitution that are not included in today’s version, including the ban on banks and limits on public debt.

This learning experience is designed for device-enabled classrooms. The teacher guides the lesson, and students use embedded resources, social media skills, and critical thinking skills to actively participate. To get access to a free version of the complete lesson, sign up for an exploros account.

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Overview

In this experience, students learn about the Constitution of 1845 and the three branches of government it defines: legislative, executive, and judicial. Then they explore some unusual additions to the constitution that are not included in today’s version, including the ban on banks and limits on public debt.

Objective:

Describe the three main branches of the Texas state government based on the Constitution of 1845

As Texas prepared to join the United States in 1845, it needed a new constitution to establish its government as a state. Delegates met at the Convention of 1845 to write this constitution and decide how the new state government would operate.

In this lesson, you will examine the Constitution of 1845 and identify some of the important decisions delegates made about the government and laws of the new state.

Objective:

Describe the three main branches of the Texas state government based on the Constitution of 1845

Thomas Rusk

Thomas J. Rusk was chosen president of the Constitutional Convention of 1845. The delegates included lawyers, judges, legislators, and other political leaders. As they wrote the new constitution, they drew ideas from the U.S. Constitution, the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, and other state constitutions, including Louisiana’s.

The delegates worked for about two months to create a constitution for the new State of Texas. Texas voters approved it in October 1845.

If Texas already had a constitution as a republic, why would becoming a U.S. state require a new one?

Post your answer

Since this is an engagement activity, accept reasonable predictions. Discuss students’ ideas and encourage them to think about how a state government might differ from the government of an independent nation.

Possible answers may include:

Texas would have a governor instead of a president.
Some terms of office or government positions might change.
The powers of the state government would have to fit within the U.S. Constitution.
Texas might keep some features of its earlier government, such as separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

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