Essay On Texas Constitution Of 1876

Texas is the second largest state in the United States. Texas is not only a large state with many people, -27.86 million to be exact- it is a state with a vast amount of unique and interesting history. Texas is the only state have 6 different nations fly over it, which are: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States. "Although six flags have flown over Texas, there have been eight changes of government: Spanish 1519-1685, French 1685-1690, Spanish 1690-1821, Mexican 1821-1836, Republic of Texas 1836-1845, United States 1845-1861, Confederate States 1861-1865, United States 1865-present" ("Texas Facts and Trivia"). These changes in government and Texas participation in other nations has led to the Texas government we know and live by today.

Each one attempted to correct the perceived deficiencies of the previous political order and address the challenges of its time. But each successive constitution also retained elements of its predecessors, building a cumulative constitutional tradition. ("The Texas Constitution"). The Texas Constitution of 1876 is pretty much a document formed off previous constitutions and it is the constitution that Texas uses today, which has 17 articles that all relate to problems in Texas' History. The constitution of 1876 was drafted by members of the Grange and farmers. The Grange was a "militant farming organization that had emerged to improve the plight of farmers" (Champagne 60). So, the constitution was made by farmers, with farmers in mind. "The document was adequate for a rural people engaged principally in subsistence farming, but not for an urban-industrial-commercial society."