Malcolm Rivera
The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 is the oldest functioning written constitution in the world. Drafted by John Adams, it served as a model for the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution has been amended 121 times as of 2022. Amendments to the constitution are governed by the 48th Article of Amendment, which establishes an indirect initiative process requiring action by the state legislature and a referendum. The most recent amendment introduced a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 1780 |
| Author | John Adams |
| Amendments | 121 |
| Most recent amendment | 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000 |
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![Enabling Act and State Constitution with Side Notes and Index 1905 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The Massachusetts Constitution: oldest functioning constitution
The Massachusetts Constitution, ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780, is the oldest functioning written constitution in effect in the world. Written primarily by John Adams, it served as a model for the United States Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution was the last to be written among the initial thirteen U.S. states. It was unique in being structured with chapters, sections, and articles, as opposed to being a list of provisions.
The document was created by the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779 and was approved by voters on June 15, 1780, becoming effective on October 25 of the same year. It is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 individual states that make up the United States of America. The Massachusetts Constitution consists of a preamble, declaration of rights, description of the principles and framework of government, and articles of amendment.
The legislative body of Massachusetts, known as the Massachusetts General Court, drafted its own version of a constitution and submitted it to the voters, who rejected it in 1778. The General Court then organized the election of delegates from each town to participate in a convention that would draft a constitution and submit it to a popular vote. The constitutional convention met in Cambridge in September 1779, with 312 members choosing a committee of thirty members to prepare a new constitution and declaration of rights. That committee asked Adams to draft a declaration of rights.
The Massachusetts Constitution has been amended numerous times to meet the needs of a changing society. These changes are referred to as the Articles of Amendment. The amendment process is governed by the 48th Article of Amendment, which establishes an indirect initiative process requiring action by the state legislature followed by a referendum. For an amendment to be placed before the voters as a referendum, it must first go through two sessions of the Massachusetts General Court and receive sufficient support from the legislature.
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Amendments: 121 Articles of Amendment
The Massachusetts Constitution, created by the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779, is the oldest functioning written constitution in continuous effect in the world, predated only by the 1777 Constitution of Vermont and by sections of the Constitution of San Marino and the Magna Carta. It was ratified by the legal voters of the Commonwealth in 1780 and became effective on October 25 of that year. The Massachusetts Constitution was the last to be written among the initial thirteen U.S. states and has been amended 121 times as of 2022.
The document was primarily authored by American founding father and future president John Adams and served as a model for the U.S. Constitution. The Massachusetts Constitution is unique in being structured with chapters, sections, and articles, as opposed to being a list of provisions.
The 121 Articles of Amendment have been added to the Massachusetts Constitution to meet the needs of an ever-changing and advancing society. The amendment process is governed by the 48th Article of Amendment to the Constitution, which establishes an indirect initiative process that requires action by the state legislature, followed by a referendum. For an amendment to be placed before the voters as a referendum, a state constitutional convention, a joint meeting of both houses of the legislature sitting as one body, in each of two successive two-year legislative sessions, must provide the required number of votes, which varies according to how the proposed amendment comes before the convention.
The most recent amendment places a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000 and was approved by a vote of 52% to 48% in 2022.
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The legislative body: the Massachusetts General Court
The legislative body of Massachusetts is known as the Massachusetts General Court. It is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is located in the state capital, Boston. The name "General Court" dates back to the earliest days of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, when the colonial assembly doubled as a judicial court of appeals. Before the adoption of the state constitution in 1780, it was called the Great and General Court. The name was shortened by John Adams, the author of the state constitution.
The Massachusetts General Court is a bicameral body, with an upper and lower house. The upper house is the Massachusetts Senate, which is composed of 40 members, while the lower body, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, has 160 members. The first sessions, starting in 1780, were one-year elected sessions for both houses. This was expanded to two-year sessions starting with the 142nd General Court in January 1921. The legislative year is now defined as the period between the opening of the biennial session and midnight on the Tuesday before the first Wednesday of the following year.
The Massachusetts General Court holds the power to make, ordain, and establish laws, orders, statutes, and ordinances, provided they are not contrary to the state constitution and are judged to be for the good and welfare of the commonwealth. The Court also has the authority to erect and constitute courts and to name and settle civil officers.
The General Court continues to hold constitutional conventions, which are now synonymous with "joint sessions." Amendments to the constitution must go through two sessions of the Court and must be supported by 25% of the legislature during each session. Proposed amendments may be placed on the ballot if they receive a majority approval (50% + 1) in two successive joint legislative sessions. If approved by a simple majority of voters and at least 30% of people voting in that election, the amendment is adopted.
The Massachusetts Constitution, ratified in 1780, is the oldest constitution still in effect in the world. It has been amended 121 times as of 2022, with the most recent amendment placing a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000.
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The author: John Adams
John Adams (30 October 1735 – 4 July 1826) was a Founding Father and the second president of the United States, serving from 1797 to 1801. He was also the first vice president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. Before his presidency, Adams was a leader of the American Revolution and a senior diplomat in Europe during the latter part of the Revolutionary War.
Adams was a dedicated diarist and correspondent, exchanging letters with important contemporaries, including his wife and adviser, Abigail Adams, and his friend and political rival, Thomas Jefferson. He was also a lawyer and political activist prior to the American Revolution, devoted to the right to counsel and the presumption of innocence.
Adams played a significant role in shaping the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which was created by the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1779. He advocated for each state to draft its constitution through a special convention and then submit it to a popular vote. The Massachusetts Constitution, which was primarily authored by Adams, was approved by voters on 15 June 1780, and became effective on 25 October 1780. It is the oldest constitution still in effect in the world.
The Massachusetts Constitution consists of a preamble, declaration of rights, description of the principles and framework of government, and articles of amendment. It has been amended 121 times as of 2022, with the most recent amendment imposing a 4% marginal tax on income over $1,000,000, approved by voters in 2022.
Adams' contributions to the Massachusetts Constitution and his role as a Founding Father have left a lasting impact on American history and government.
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The date: drafted 1779, effective 1780
The Massachusetts Constitution was drafted in 1779 and became effective in 1780.
In 1779, the Massachusetts legislature called for every male inhabitant to elect representatives to form a convention for the sole purpose of framing a new Constitution, which would then require ratification by two-thirds of the same electorate. The convention met in Cambridge in September 1779 and chose a committee of thirty members to prepare a new constitution and declaration of rights. The committee selected John Adams to draft the document, which he completed by October 30, 1779.
Adams drew upon his knowledge of history and political philosophy, the colonies' experiences under British colonial rule, and his own ideas articulated in 'Thoughts on Government'. His draft declaration of rights stated: "All men are born equally free and independent...." This was revised to read: "All men are born free and equal..." before being adopted by the convention.
The draft constitution was submitted to the people for ratification in March 1780. It was ratified on June 15, 1780, and became effective on October 25, 1780.
The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 was the last to be written among the initial thirteen U.S. states. It served as a model for the U.S. Constitution, drafted seven years later, both structurally and substantively. It is among the oldest functioning written constitutions in continuous effect in the world.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the fundamental governing document of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, one of the 50 individual states that make up the United States of America. It was written in 1779 and came into effect in 1780, making it the oldest functioning written constitution in the world.
The Massachusetts Constitution was primarily authored by American founding father and future president John Adams.
The Massachusetts Constitution has been amended 121 times as of 2022. Amendments are governed by the 48th Article of Amendment to the Constitution, which establishes an indirect initiative process that requires action by the state legislature, followed by a referendum.
The process for amending the Massachusetts Constitution involves two sessions of the Massachusetts General Court, with each session requiring the support of 25% of the legislature. The amendment process is initiated through initiative petitions or legislative referrals, and the specific steps can vary depending on the type of amendment being proposed.
