Name Class Date

Section 2, continued

/ Main Ideas
1. The Consultation met to debate the future of Texas and to form a provisional government.
2. Conflicts soon arose within the new government.
Key Terms
Consultation a convention of Texans organized to discuss plans for dealing with Mexico and to form a temporary government
Declaration of November 7, 1835 a document claiming that Texans were justified in past fighting with Mexico as a privilege under the Constitution of 1824
provisional temporary
Henry Smith a pro-war delegate elected governor by the temporary government created during the Consultation
Sam Houston a soldier and politician who became the commander-in-chief of the professional army established by the Consultation

Section Summary

debating independence

In October 1835 Texans gathered for the Consultation. The purpose of this convention was to discuss plans for dealing with Mexico. Pro-war delegates wanted Texas to declare independence. Pro-peace delegates wanted to remain loyal to Mexico. The Consultation drafted the Declaration of November 7, 1835. In this statement, Texans justified previous fighting with Mexico as defense of their rights under the Constitution of 1824. The delegates pledged their loyalty to Mexico, but they warned that they would create an independent government if Mexico did not restore the Constitution of 1824.

They then created a provisional government, electing Henry Smith as governor and creating a General Council. The delegates also authorized the creation of a new regular army, independent from the existing volunteer army. They selected Sam Houston as commander of the new army.

the provisional government

Disagreements over strategy soon rose. Some Texans in favor of independence wanted to cross the Rio Grande and attack Matamoros. They hoped to gain the support of federalists in Mexico in the protest against Santa Anna’s government. Neither Sam Houston nor Governor Smith favored this plan, due to a lack of resources. After much debate, volunteers marched to Matamoros. However, the effort to take the city failed.

Peace efforts were negotiated with the Cherokees of East Texas, who agreed not to side with Mexico in the revolution. However, the provisional government of Texas did not have clear goals or good leadership. In December the General Council scheduled a new convention for March 1, 1836, to solve the government’s problems.

CHALLENGE ACTIVITY

Critical Thinking: Supporting Point of View Create a poster supporting the point of view of a Texas delegate of the Consultation. Include language to persuade.

DIRECTIONS On the line provided before each statement, write T if a statement is true and F if a statement is false. If the statement is false, write a corrected statement on the line after the false statement.

1. Texans held the Consultation to discuss the formation of a government.

2. The Declaration of November 7, 1835 emphasized the rights of Texans established in the Constitution of 1824.

3. The plan to attack Matamoros was supported by Sam Houston, Governor Smith, and other Texans in favor of independence from Mexico.

4. A member of the pro-war group, Henry Smith, was elected governor by the Consultation.

5. Governor Smith, elected by the Consultation, created a provisional government and a professional army.

6. The provisional government had clear goals and good leadership.

7. The Consultation scheduled a convention at a later date to solve the government's problems.


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132 Guided Reading Workbook