Name:_______________________________________ Date:______________ Period:______
Chapter 28 Section 1: Texas Constitutions
1. Who wrote the first constitution in 1827? How many constitutions has Texas had?
The legislature of Coahuila y Tejas; 7
2. The Texas constitution was similar to what country’s constitution? What two things
were strictly controlled under the constitution?
Mexico’s; regional rights and individual rights
3. How many constitutions did Texas have during the Civil War and Reconstruction? In
what year was our present constitution written?
3; 1876
4. What were the 4 important purposes of the Texas Constitutions?
1) Outlined the parts of the government and the duties of each part
2) Officials and government bodies were given certain powers
3) Described the rights of Texas citizens
4) Provided a method for making changes (amendments)
5. When did women in Texas gain the right to vote? 1920
6. What does it mean to be part of a federal system of government?
Some powers belong to the federal government; some powers belong to the state
government
7. Powers given to the states are called reserved powers. List 3 examples of reserve
powers.
Regulate commerce within the state; establish a state militia; establish legal age of
marriage without parental permission; create public schools
8. List 3 examples of powers the states do not have.
Create money; declare war; sign treaties with other countries
9. What does Article II of the Texas constitution state?
The powers of the government of the state of Texas shall be divided into three distinct
departments (executive, legislative, judicial)
10. What does the Texas Bill of Rights protect?
Freedom of speech, religion, and press; right to bear arms; forbids unreasonable search
and seizures; right of the accused to a speedy trail; protects victims of crimes
11. What was the main difference between the Constitution of 1869 and 1876?
1869 gave the executive branch (governor) a lot of power; 1876 reduced the power of
the executive branch
12. What were 3 things accomplished by the Constitution of 1876?
Established public schools; separated government into three branches; strengthened
the system of checks and balances; established voting rights; reduced the governor’s
power; reduced salaries for state officials; terms were shortened; legislative sessions
met every two years instead of every year
13. What is a major argument regarding the Constitution of 1876?
It is outdated because so many changes have been made to it over the years
14. What are two reasons that amendments to the Texas constitution have been passed?
Authorize the issuing of bonds; abolish political offices; exempt school districts or other
entities from taxes
15. Adopting an amendment requires what? If an amendment makes it through the House
and Senate, who approves it next? Can the Texas governor veto an amendment?
2/3 approval by the House and Senate; the voters; no