2.  Convention – a important meeting
 Delegates – representatives
 Constitution – a written plan of government
The delegates believed that the Mexican
government did not respect the rights of the
colonist in Texas. The delegates agreed to split
off from Mexico.
Every delegate knew that the choice was declare
independence or be controlled by Santa Anna.
They knew that they would have to write a
declaration of independence for Texas. The new
nation also needed a constitution.

3.  The declaration of independence that the
delegates wrote at the convention, lists some
of the reasons why Texas wanted to separate
from Mexico.
 One of the reasons list that Mexico did not
provide basic rights such as public schools,
trial by jury, and freedom of religion.
 On March 2, 1836, the delegates approved
the declaration and signed it. Today, March 2
is celebrated as Texas Independence Day
and is a state holiday!!!

4.  Republic – a form of government which people choose their leaders
 Abolish – to put an end to
 After signing the Texas Declaration of Independence, the delegates
at the convention made a plan of government for the new country.
David Thomas put together a constitution that made Texas a republic.
 The constitution began with a preamble, or opening section. It set up a
congress to make the laws for the Republic of Texas. To carry out the
laws, there would be a president and a vice president. The president
and the vice president would serve for 3 years. There would also be a
court system to settle arguments over the law and to make sure that
the laws were fair.
 The Constitution of the Republic of Texas also had a bill of rights and
let all men in Texas become citizens of the new country. However,
Native Americans, and African Americans, and women were not made
citizens. Also the constitution did not abolish or put an end to slavery
in Texas. New settlers from the United States were still allowed to
bring slaves with them to Texas.

5.  Patriotism – a love of a country
 The last thing the convention of 1836 did was to set up a
temporary government to rule until the people of Texas could
choose their leaders. David G. Burnet became president and
Lorenzo de Zalvala, vice president.
 In September 1836 Texans voted for the republic’s new
constitution. The temporary government set up by the
convention ended October 22, 1836. This was the day when
Sam Houston was chosen by the voters to become the first
president of the Republic of Texas.
 In 1839 the congress approved of the well known Lone Star
flag as the flag of Texas. Its red, white, and blue colors stand
for bravery, loyalty, and purity. The Lone Star flag later
became the state flag of Texas. The Lone Star flag is a
patriotic symbol for many Texans.