Question

Describe events that had impact on how the Texas Constitution is and the structure of the Texas government.

Answer 1

Constitutions invariably reflect tradition and culture as the common legislation that defines the primary structure and duties of a government, and state constitutions are no exception. Past is not only expressed in the substance of the constitution in Texas, but also the number of constitutions by which the state was governed. Before being the sovereign Republic of Texas, Texas was first ruled by Spain and then Mexico. Texas became part of the United States after nine years as a republic, entering the Union as the 28th state. Texas seceded from the Union after the Civil War broke out, joining other southern states to create the Confederate States of America. Texas once again became part of the United States after the war concluded and confederate states were allowed to rejoin the Union. Texas introduced a new constitution for both of these changes.

In Texas, seven constitutions were drafted and ratified from 1827 to 1876. Every sought to resolve the perceived shortcomings of the previous political order and fix the problems of its day. But each subsequent constitution, creating a continuous legislative legacy, has preserved aspects of its predecessors. The historical origins of the new Texas Constitution are discussed by this activity.