
Texas Declaration of Independence | |
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Location | Engrossed copy: Texas State Library and Archives Commission |
Signatories | 60 delegates to the Consultation |
Purpose | To announce and explain separation from Mexico |
Full Text |
Does Texas have its own Declaration of Independence?
A free and independent Republic of Texas was officially declared March 2, 1836. Over the course of the next several days, 59 delegates -- each representing one of the settlements in Texas -- approved the Texas Declaration of Independence.
When and where was the Texas Declaration of Independence signed?
On March 2, 1836, 59 delegates from all parts of the Texas settlement bravely met at Washington, Texas to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico, proclaiming to the world that Texas was a sovereign nation.
Why did Texas declare Independence from Mexico?
The most immediate cause of the Texas Revolution was the refusal of many Texas, both Anglo and Mexican, to accept the governmental changes mandated by "Siete Leyes" which placed almost total power in the hands of the Mexican national government and Santa Anna.
When did Texas declare its Independence from Mexico?
Texas Revolution, also called War of Texas Independence, war fought from October 1835 to April 1836 between Mexico and Texas colonists that resulted in Texas's independence from Mexico and the founding of the Republic of Texas (1836–45).
Where was the Texas Constitution written?
Washington-on-the-BrazosThe Constitution of the Republic of Texas (1836), the first Anglo-American constitution to govern Texas, was drafted by a convention of fifty-nine delegates who assembled at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836 (see CONVENTION OF 1836).
What was the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico?
The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and was formally signed the next day after mistakes were noted in the text.
Is Texas part of Mexico?
Although Mexico's war of independence pushed out Spain in 1821, Texas did not remain a Mexican possession for long. It became its own country, called the Republic of Texas, from 1836 until it agreed to join the United States in 1845. Sixteen years later, it seceded along with 10 other states to form the Confederacy.
What present day city is the Alamo located?
San AntonioThe Battle of the Alamo during Texas' war for independence from Mexico lasted thirteen days, from February 23, 1836-March 6, 1836. In December of 1835, a group of Texan volunteer soldiers had occupied the Alamo, a former Franciscan mission located near the present-day city of San Antonio.
Are tejanos Mexican?
The term Tejano, derived from the Spanish adjective tejano or (feminine) tejana (and written in Spanish with a lower-case t), denotes a Texan of Mexican descent, thus a Mexican Texan or a Texas Mexican.
What was Texas called when it was part of Mexico?
Mexican Texas is the historiographical name used to refer to the era of Texan history between 1821 and 1836, when it was part of Mexico. Mexico gained independence in 1821 after winning its war against Spain, which began in 1810.
Is Texas the only state that was its own country?
Every Texan knows that the state was its own sovereign republic between 1836 and 1845. But three other states were also independent countries before they were states, though they get fewer movies made about them.
Was Texas a country?
On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state in the United States. Formerly part of Mexico, Texas had been an independent country since 1836. Since its independence, Texas had sought annexation by the U.S. However, the process took nearly 10 years due to political divisions over slavery.
Where did the 1836 Convention meet?
On that date, each settlement in Texas voted on delegates to the Convention of 1836, which would begin meeting on March 1 at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
What is the significance of March 2 1836?
On March 2, 1836, Texas Independence Day, delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos. From that day forward, Texans took a stand against the Mexican government to become a sovereign republic, led by interim-President David G.
What was the purpose of the Declaration of November 7 1835?
The Declaration of November 7, 1835, passed by the Consultation announced that the Texan war against Mexico principally intended to restore the Mexican Constitution of 1824, abrogated by the actions of President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and to achieve separate Mexican statehood for Texas.
When did Texas join the United States?
December 29, 1845Texas / Statehood grantedOn December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state in the United States. Formerly part of Mexico, Texas had been an independent country since 1836. Since its independence, Texas had sought annexation by the U.S. However, the process took nearly 10 years due to political divisions over slavery.
What was the purpose of the Texas Declaration of Independence?
Purpose. To announce and explain separation from Mexico. The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and was formally signed the next day after mistakes were noted ...
What was Texas in union with?
Texas was in union with the Mexican state of Coahuila as Coahuila y Tejas, with the capital in distant Saltillo. Thus the affairs of Texas were decided at a great distance from the province and in the Spanish language, which the immigrants called "an unknown tongue.".
What was the goal of the Texas Revolution?
However, within Austin, many struggled with understanding what the ultimate goal of the Revolution was. Some believed that the goal should be total independence from Mexico. In contrast, others sought the reimplementation of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 ...
When was the Mexican Constitution reimplementation?
In contrast, others sought the reimplementation of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 (which offered greater freedoms than the centralist government declared in Mexico the prior year). To settle the issue, a convention was called for March 1836.
How many delegates were there to the Texas Declaration of Independence?
Over the course of the next several days, 59 delegates -- each representing one of the settlements in Texas -- approved the Texas Declaration of Independence.
When was Texas declared a free state?
A free and independent Republic of Texas was officially declared on March 2, 1836.
How many delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence?
Over the course of the next several days, 59 delegates -- each representing one of the settlements in Texas -- approved the Texas Declaration of Independence. After the delegates signed the original declaration, 5 copies were made and dispatched to the designated Texas towns of Bexar, Goliad, Nacogdoches, Brazoria, and San Felipe.
When was the Declaration of Independence made?
The Unanimous Declaration of Independence made by the. Delegates of the People of Texas in General Convention at the. Town of Washington on the 2nd day of March 1836. When a government has ceased to protect the lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived, and for the advancement ...
Who was the first person to draft the Declaration of Independence?
On the first day, Convention President Richard Ellis appointed a committee to draft a Declaration of Independence. George Childress, the committee chairman, is generally accepted as the author of the Texas Declaration ...
What is the Texas Declaration of Independence?
As soon as the convention was organized a resolution was introduced for appointment of a committee to draw up a declaration of independence. Richard Ellis, president of the convention, appointed George C. Childress, James Gaines, Edward Conrad, Collin McKinney, and Bailey Hardeman to the committee. Childress was named chairman, and it is generally conceded that he wrote the instrument with little help from the other members. In fact there is some evidence that he brought to the convention a proposed declaration that was adopted with little change by the committee and the convention, a view which is substantiated by the fact that the committee was appointed on March 1 and the declaration was presented to the convention on March 2. The Texas edict, like the United States Declaration of Independence, contains a statement on the nature of government, a list of grievances, and a final declaration of independence. The separation from Mexico was justified by a brief philosophical argument and by a list of grievances submitted to an impartial world. The declaration charged that the government of Mexico had ceased to protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people; that it had been changed from a restricted federal republic to a consolidated, central, military despotism; that the people of Texas had remonstrated against the misdeeds of the government only to have their agents thrown into dungeons and armies sent forth to enforce the decrees of the new government at the point of the bayonet; that the welfare of Texas had been sacrificed to that of Coahuila; that the government had failed to provide a system of public education, trial by jury, freedom of religion, and other essentials of good government; and that the Indians had been incited to massacre the settlers. According to the declaration, the Mexican government had invaded Texas to lay waste territory and had a large mercenary army advancing to carry on a war of extermination. The final grievance listed in justification of revolution charged that the Mexican government had been "the contemptible sport and victim of successive military revolutions and hath continually exhibited every characteristic of a weak, corrupt, and tyrannical government." After the signing of the original declaration by fifty-nine delegates, five copies of the document were dispatched to the designated Texas towns of Bexar, Goliad, Nacogdoches, Brazoria, and San Felipe. The printer at San Felipe was also instructed to make 1,000 copies in handbill form. The original was deposited with the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C., and was not returned to Texas until some time after June 1896. In 1929 the original document was transferred from the office of the secretary of state to the Board of Control to be displayed in a niche at the Capitol, where it was unveiled on March 2, 1930.
Where were the original declarations sent?
After the signing of the original declaration by fifty-nine delegates, five copies of the document were dispatched to the designated Texas towns of Bexar, Goliad, Nacogdoches, Brazoria, and San Felipe. The printer at San Felipe was also instructed to make 1,000 copies in handbill form.
Why did the Mexican government invade Texas?
According to the declaration, the Mexican government had invaded Texas to lay waste territory and had a large mercenary army advancing to carry on a war of extermination. The final grievance listed in justification of revolution charged that the Mexican government had been "the contemptible sport and victim of successive military revolutions ...
Where was the original Texas handbill deposited?
The original was deposited with the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C., and was not returned to Texas until some time after June 1896.
When was the Texas Talks document unveiled?
In 1929 the original document was transferred from the office of the secretary of state to the Board of Control to be displayed in a niche at the Capitol, where it was unveiled on March 2, 1930. YouTube. TSHA Online. 158 subscribers. Texas Talks Clip - From the Alamo to San Jacinto: The Siege of the Alamo. Info.
What is the Texas edict?
The Texas edict, like the United States Declaration of Independence, contains a statement on the nature of government, a list of grievances, and a final declaration of independence. The separation from Mexico was justified by a brief philosophical argument and by a list of grievances submitted to an impartial world.
When was Texas declared independent?
Texas Independence Day is the commemoration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2 , 1836 in which independence from Mexico was declared and the Republic of Texas was born.
How many Texas annexation markers are there?
Additional information can be found in an online exhibit on Texas Annexation hosted by the Texas State Library and Archives. There are more than 600 Official Texas Historical Markers that commemorate aspects of events, people, and places associated with Texas Independence Day.
Where is the Original Declaration of Independence?
Fear not, Nicolas Cage did not actually steal the Declaration of Independence as depicted in the film National Treasure. The actual original document still presides at the National Archives in Washington DC.
Visit the Declaration of Independence
Although there is no admission price for the National Archives, it can get pretty busy between the months of March and June or on holiday weekends. On busy days, it can take up to an hour just to get into the building!
Historical Preservation and Protection
When it comes to security, it is important to keep in mind that photography is prohibited inside the National Archives. If you want to avoid any trouble getting inside, come with as few items as possible.
About The Author
Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers.

Overview
The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and was formally signed the next day after mistakes were noted in the text.
Background
In October 1835, settlers in Mexican Texas launched the Texas Revolution.
However, within Austin, many struggled with understanding what the ultimate goal of the Revolution was. Some believed that the goal should be total independence from Mexico. In contrast, others sought the reimplementation of the Mexican Constitution of 1824 (which offered greater freedoms than the centralist government declared in Mexico the prior year). To settle th…
Development
The convention was convened on March 1 with Richard Ellis as president. The delegates selected a committee of five to draft a declaration of independence; the committee was led by George Childress and also included Edward Conrad, James Gaines, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney. The committee submitted its draft within a mere 24 hours, leading historians to speculate that Childress had written much of it before he arrived at the Convention.
Signatories
Sixty men signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Three of them were born in Mexico. Fifty-seven of the sixty moved to Texas from the United States. Fifty-nine of these men were delegates to the Convention, and one was the Convention Secretary, Herbert S. Kimble, who was not a delegate.
• Jesse B. Badgett
See also
• Texas Independence Day
• Timeline of the Republic of Texas
• Declaration of Independence (1836)
External links
• Washington on the Brazos
• The Declaration of Independence, 1836, from Gammel's Laws of Texas, Vol. I., hosted by the Portal to Texas History.
• Declaration of Independence of Texas, 1836 broadside and original manuscript at the Texas State Library and Archives Commission