Virginias constitution was the first to
State Convention at Richmond, VAEngraving. The State Convention at Richmond, VA., In Session. From Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper. 15 February 1868, p. 345. Show Online Exhibitions, accessed March 29, 2021, https://www.virginiamemory.com/online-exhibitions/items/show/602 Virginia has had a state constitution since 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. George Mason and James Madison were two of the main writers for the Virginia Constitution, both of whom would later go to Philadelphia to help write the United States Constitution, and would bring their ideas from the Virginia Constitution to help draft the highest document in our nation’s history. Since being drafted in 1776 there have been five major draft changes to the Virginia Constitution: 1830, 1851, 1864, 1870, and 1902. In 1969 there was a special assembly in Richmond which amended the Virginia Constitution that was ratified in 1971 and serves as our current constitution. Constitutional ConventionPainting, Virginia [Constitutional] Convention of 1829- 1830 by George Catlin. Virginia Museum of History & Culture (1957.39). http://www.virginiahistory.org/ There are currently twenty-two articles in the Virginia state constitution. The first Article contains the Bill of Rights. The second article details franchise and officers, which are voting rights and privileges, qualifications to hold public office, and districting. Articles three through six detail separation of powers and the creation of three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judiciary. Article seven details the local governments. Articles eight and nine detail education and corporations respectively. Article ten details taxes and finance laws. Article eleven is conservation. Article twelve outlines protocol for future changes to the state constitution. For the full text of the Virginia Constitution, see the Virginia state website here: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/constitution The above engraving (top right) from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper depicts the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867-1868 in Richmond. The 1870 Constitution expanded voting to men of all races and established a public school system in Virginia. The Library of Congress >> Researchers >> Virtual Programs & Services Home >> Primary Documents >> American Revolution & New Nation >> Virginia Declaration of Rights
Why was the first Virginia Constitution Important?Virginia started the process by writing the first Declaration of Rights and then the first state constitution, describing how a new form of government would replace colonial authority and eliminate the role of a monarch. Virginia became an independent state when it adopted its first state constitution in 1776.
When was the first Constitution of Virginia first approved?The first Virginia constitution was adopted in 1776. Since then, the state constitution has gone through a number of re-draftings and revisions. The most recent general revision was ratified by Virginia voters in 1970 and became effective on July 1, 1971. The current constitution consists of 12 articles.
Who wrote Virginias constitution?James Madison's work on the Virginia Constitution helped him develop the ideas and skills that he would later use as one of the main architects of the United States Constitution.
What was the purpose of the Constitution of 1902?The Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1902 was an assembly of delegates elected by the voters to write the fundamental law of Virginia. The 1902 Constitution severely restricting suffrage among blacks and whites was proclaimed without submitting it to the people.
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