Vote in free and freedom of the press representation without press tax
Nebraska
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a Bill of Rights, Bi-cameral legislature, and an elected executive
To Boston tea party
The first 13 states of the United States wrote their initial constitutions primarily between 1776 and 1780, following the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Each state adopted its constitution at different times, with the first to do so being New Hampshire in January 1776, followed by states like Virginia and Pennsylvania. These documents laid the groundwork for state governance and reflected Enlightenment ideals of democracy and individual rights.
The first state constitutions adopted after independence were those of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, which were established in 1776. Delaware's constitution was the first to be enacted on September 20, 1776, followed closely by Pennsylvania on July 28 and New Jersey on July 2. These early constitutions laid the groundwork for governance and the protection of individual rights in the newly independent states. They reflected Enlightenment principles and sought to establish a framework for democratic governance.
The first Pennsylvania Constitution was written in 1776, but it didn't take affect until 1789. This constitution became the framework of all future state constitutions.
Through its history, North Carolina has had three Constitutions: the Constitution of 1776, the Constitution of 1868, and the Constitution of 1971.
A prominent example of Enlightenment ideas influencing state constitutions is found in the Virginia Declaration of Rights, adopted in 1776. This document, drafted by George Mason, reflects Enlightenment principles such as individual rights, the social contract, and the separation of powers. It emphasized the inherent rights of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which later influenced the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The emphasis on reason, equality, and consent of the governed in Enlightenment thought fundamentally shaped the framework of state governance.
The constitutions of the states were often the proving ground for new amendments. For instance, the Wyoming Constitution allowed women to vote. After a while, a new amendment was added to the US Constitution allowing women to vote.
State constitutions were necessary following the declaration of independence because of disagreement between the states. There had to be some unity within each state to promote unity within the country.
OOH I KNOW THIS ONE! hmm... YOUR MOM.