Constitutions in America

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After America’s independence from Britain in 1776, states began to experiment with their newfound freedom by drafting constitutions. The Virginia Constitution came about on June 29, 1776 followed by the Massachusetts Constitution in March 2, 1780. Both the Virginia and Massachusetts Constitutions helped contribute to the United States Constitution that succeeded them. Values and concepts from both state constitutions can be seen in the constitution of the United States.
The significance surrounding the Virginia Constitution is that it acted as a pioneer to the Declaration of Independence. The beginning of The Virginia Constitution indicted King George III of multiple wrongdoings against the American colonists. From taxation without representation to the burning down of towns, George Mason and James Madison drafted the constitution to break ties with the motherland of Great Britain. The Virginia Constitution laid down the groundwork of all governmental activity by setting up three separate branches of government — legislative, executive, and judiciary. From there, the legislative branch was made up of two parts, the House of Delegates and The Senate. The General Assembly of Virginia was formed for the two branches of Legislature to meet at least once a year. The House of Delegates consisted of two representatives from each county and district of West- Augusta to be sent annually. One representative was to be sent from the city of Williamsburgh, Norfolk, and any future city. However, if the next seven years brought about less than half the number of voters in one county of Virginia, then that county shall not send a representative to the Assembly. The Senate consisted of twenty-four members who were a resident of the district and...

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...Massachusetts Constitutions helped make up the federal constitution. The main difference between the federal and state constitutions is the roll of a president and vice president and the requirements needed for senate and representative positions.

Works Cited

"Massachusetts Constitution (March 2, 1780)." Pearson. Pearson Education. Web. 13 Feb 2014. .
"The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights." Pearson. Pearson Education. Web. 13 Feb 2014. .
"Virginia Constitution, not including the Bill of Rights (June 29, 1776)." Pearson. Pearson Education. Web. 13 Feb 2014. .

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