Early American State Constitutions
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Following the Revolutionary War the new independent nation faced a challenge- create a unified American Government framework that all thirteen states could agree upon. This was easier said than done. The various state legislatures had created, or were in the process creating, their own constitutions. This page will focus on a few states and their early attempts to establish governments and ensure individual rights.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776
During the Revolutionary Era the British colonial government was replaced briefly with a Council of Safety. Their task was to create a constitution for Pennsylvania. The final constitution was not voted on by the people and went into effect on September 28, 1776. The following are characteristics of the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776.
- Article 1 stated "all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights..." - Article 2 expressed the right of freedom of religion - Article 4 expressed that government officials were accountable to the people - Article 11 expressed the right to a trial by jury - Article 13 expressed the right to bear arms - Article 16 expressed freedom of assembly by the people While Pennsylvania was operated under the Constitution of 1776 the Supreme Executive Council passed the Divestment Act of 1779. This act confiscated 24,000.000 acres of land from and then compensated the Penn family. Another act, called the Gradual Abolition Act of 1780 was also passed and was one of the first acts of its kind. Click on the link below to learn more about this important law. |
The First Constitution of Virginia
The latest Constitution of Virginia is somewhat different in structure than the original constitution. But, the Virginia Bill of Rights is still located first and is referred to as Article I of the Constitution. These are the current seventeen sections listed under Article I. As you look at these sections, keep in mind that most of these rights existed over a decade before they were added to our existing constitution.
The First Constitution of Virginia
The latest Constitution of Virginia is somewhat different in structure than the original constitution. But, the Virginia Bill of Rights is still located first and is referred to as Article I of the Constitution. These are the current seventeen sections listed under Article I. As you look at these sections, keep in mind that most of these rights existed over a decade before they were added to our existing constitution.
Article I of the Virginia Constitution
Section 1. Equality and rights of men
Section 2. People the source of power.
Section 3. Government instituted for common benefit.
Section 4. No exclusive emoluments or privileges; offices not to be hereditary.
Section 5. Separation of legislative, executive, and judicial departments; periodical elections.
Section 6. Free elections; consent of governed.
Section 7. Laws should not be suspended.
Section 8. Criminal prosecutions.
Section 8-A. Rights of victims of crime
Section 9. Prohibition of excessive bail and fines, cruel and unusual punishment, suspension of habeas corpus, bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws.
Section 10. General warrants of search or seizure prohibited.
Section 11. Due process of law; obligation of contracts; taking or damaging of private property; prohibited discrimination; jury trial in civil cases.
Section 12. Freedom of speech and of the press; right peaceably to assemble, and to petition.
Section 13. Militia; standing armies; military subordinate to civil power.
Section 14. Government should be uniform.
Section 15. Qualities necessary to preservation of free government.
Section 15-A. Marriage.
Section 16. Free exercise of religion; no establishment of religion.
Section 17. Construction of the Bill of Rights.
The latest Constitution of Virginia is somewhat different in structure than the original constitution. But, the Virginia Bill of Rights is still located first and is referred to as Article I of the Constitution. These are the current seventeen sections listed under Article I. As you look at these sections, keep in mind that most of these rights existed over a decade before they were added to our existing constitution.
The First Constitution of Virginia
The latest Constitution of Virginia is somewhat different in structure than the original constitution. But, the Virginia Bill of Rights is still located first and is referred to as Article I of the Constitution. These are the current seventeen sections listed under Article I. As you look at these sections, keep in mind that most of these rights existed over a decade before they were added to our existing constitution.
Article I of the Virginia Constitution
Section 1. Equality and rights of men
Section 2. People the source of power.
Section 3. Government instituted for common benefit.
Section 4. No exclusive emoluments or privileges; offices not to be hereditary.
Section 5. Separation of legislative, executive, and judicial departments; periodical elections.
Section 6. Free elections; consent of governed.
Section 7. Laws should not be suspended.
Section 8. Criminal prosecutions.
Section 8-A. Rights of victims of crime
Section 9. Prohibition of excessive bail and fines, cruel and unusual punishment, suspension of habeas corpus, bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws.
Section 10. General warrants of search or seizure prohibited.
Section 11. Due process of law; obligation of contracts; taking or damaging of private property; prohibited discrimination; jury trial in civil cases.
Section 12. Freedom of speech and of the press; right peaceably to assemble, and to petition.
Section 13. Militia; standing armies; military subordinate to civil power.
Section 14. Government should be uniform.
Section 15. Qualities necessary to preservation of free government.
Section 15-A. Marriage.
Section 16. Free exercise of religion; no establishment of religion.
Section 17. Construction of the Bill of Rights.
Virginia Constitution of 1776
Virginia, being a large and wealthy state, was very influential and important in the development of individual rights. They created a constitution and adopted it on June 29, 1776.
The Virginia Constitution of 1776 began with the Bill of Rights. It listed the constitutionally protected natural rights of all Virginians. James Madison was actively involved in writing the Virginia‘s Bill of Rights. He felt strongly that it did not give people rights, it only listed the rights that they already possessed. The second section of the original Virginia Constitution listed the grievances that the people of Virginia had against the King of England, and thus, why he had lost his right to govern. The final sentence in the grievance section was written as follows. “By which several acts of misrule, the government of this country, as formerly exercised under the crown of Great Britain, is TOTALLY DISSOLVED.” The final section of the Virginia Constitution described the structure of the Virginia’s new government, how representatives and the governor would be chosen. The completed Constitution of Virginia has been amended and revised several times since 1776. The latest revision, completed in 1971, is still being amended whenever necessary.
Key Points of the Original Virginia Constitution
Virginia, being a large and wealthy state, was very influential and important in the development of individual rights. They created a constitution and adopted it on June 29, 1776.
The Virginia Constitution of 1776 began with the Bill of Rights. It listed the constitutionally protected natural rights of all Virginians. James Madison was actively involved in writing the Virginia‘s Bill of Rights. He felt strongly that it did not give people rights, it only listed the rights that they already possessed. The second section of the original Virginia Constitution listed the grievances that the people of Virginia had against the King of England, and thus, why he had lost his right to govern. The final sentence in the grievance section was written as follows. “By which several acts of misrule, the government of this country, as formerly exercised under the crown of Great Britain, is TOTALLY DISSOLVED.” The final section of the Virginia Constitution described the structure of the Virginia’s new government, how representatives and the governor would be chosen. The completed Constitution of Virginia has been amended and revised several times since 1776. The latest revision, completed in 1971, is still being amended whenever necessary.
Key Points of the Original Virginia Constitution
- Bill of Rights (referred to as the Declaration of Rights)
- separate and distinct legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of government
- a bicameral legislature (called the General Assembly of Virginia) composed of a House of Delegates and a Senate
- a governor that was chosen by the General Assembly to serve for one year