Malcolm Rivera
The Wyandotte Constitution, drafted in 1859, was a significant milestone in the history of Kansas, marking the end of a bitter and often violent conflict over slavery in the territory. The constitution explicitly prohibited slavery, marking a defeat for pro-slavery forces and a victory for anti-slavery advocates. It also introduced progressive ideas of liberty, including a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy and limited suffrage for women. With the signing of the Wyandotte Constitution by President James Buchanan in 1861, Kansas was admitted to the Union as the 34th state, finally resolving the issue of slavery in the region.
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What You'll Learn
The Wyandotte Constitution was anti-slavery
The Wyandotte Constitution explicitly prohibited slavery, marking a significant departure from previous constitutions and signalling the end of a bitter and sometimes violent conflict over slavery in Kansas Territory. The adoption of this constitution by Kansas voters on October 4, 1859, was a resounding defeat for pro-slavery forces, who had consistently attempted to establish slavery in Kansas through measures like the Lecompton Constitution.
The Wyandotte Constitution also expressed progressive ideas for its time, granting a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy and offering limited suffrage to women. However, it is important to note that suffrage was primarily restricted to "every white male person of twenty-one years and upward," effectively denying the vote to blacks and Indians.
The approval of the Wyandotte Constitution by President James Buchanan on January 29, 1861, marked Kansas's admission to the Union as the 34th state. This event culminated in intense conflict over the issue of slavery, with Kansas becoming a free state. The House of Representatives voted 134 to 73 in favour of admitting Kansas under the Wyandotte Constitution, despite resistance from the Senate as 11 slave states seceded from the Union.
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It was approved in a referendum in 1859
The Wyandotte Constitution was approved in a referendum in October 1859, by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530. This was a significant moment in the conflict over whether Kansas would be admitted to the Union as a free state or a slave state. The referendum took place against a backdrop of violent confrontations, known as "Bleeding Kansas", which had been ongoing since the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed settlers to determine the state's position on slavery.
The Wyandotte Constitution was drafted by delegates of a convention that met in Wyandotte, Kansas, from July 5, 1859, to July 29, 1859. The convention was dominated by Republicans from Northern states, with 35 out of 52 delegates belonging to the party. The remaining 17 delegates were Democrats. The convention abandoned the old Topeka Constitution and instead modelled the new constitution on that of Ohio. The document explicitly prohibited slavery, which was a progressive stance for the time. It also granted a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy and offered limited suffrage to women.
The referendum was not without controversy. All 17 Democrats refused to sign the Wyandotte Constitution, objecting to several key provisions. The subsequent campaign for ratification was a bitter partisan contest. The referendum itself was also boycotted by anti-slavery voters, which meant that the "constitution with slavery" passed by a large margin. However, Kansas voters eventually elected a new legislature and defeated the Lecompton Constitution, which would have allowed slavery. The adoption of the Wyandotte Constitution in 1859 thus represented a victory for anti-slavery advocates in Kansas, who had consistently rejected attempts to impose pro-slavery governance.
Following the referendum, official copies of the Wyandotte Constitution were sent to the President of the United States, the president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, and the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. In April 1860, the House voted to admit Kansas under the Wyandotte Constitution, but there was resistance in the Senate. Kansas was not admitted to the Union as a free state until January 29, 1861, after 11 slave states seceded from the Union and their senators left their seats. This admission marked the end of nearly seven years of political and sometimes violent conflict over slavery in Kansas Territory.
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Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state
The Wyandotte Constitution was the fourth and final proposed Kansas constitution following the failed attempts of the Topeka, Lecompton, and Leavenworth conventions to create a state constitution that would pass Congress and be signed as a bill by the president. The convention drafting the Wyandotte Constitution was held between July 5, 1859, and July 29, 1859, in the former community of Wyandotte, now part of Kansas City, Kansas. The convention delegates met for three weeks, and the meetings were tedious compared to the drama of previous conventions. The majority of the delegates were young men from Northern states under 30 years of age, and 35 out of 52 were Republicans. The convention abandoned the old Topeka Constitution and chose the Ohio Constitution as the model for Kansas.
The Wyandotte Constitution was a free-state document that explicitly prohibited slavery. It also granted a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy and offered limited suffrage to women. The Democrats refused to sign the constitution because they objected to several key provisions, and the subsequent campaign for its ratification was a bitter partisan contest. On October 4, 1859, the Wyandotte Constitution was approved in a referendum by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530. Official copies were then sent to the President of the United States, the president pro tempore of the U.S. Senate, and the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
In February 1860, a bill for Kansas's admission to the Union was introduced in the House of Representatives. In April of that year, the House voted 134 to 73 to admit Kansas under the Wyandotte Constitution. However, there was resistance in the Senate. Finally, on January 21, 1861, as 11 slave states seceded from the Union, their senators left their seats, and the Senate passed the Kansas bill. On January 29, 1861, President James Buchanan signed the bill approving the Wyandotte Constitution, and Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state and the 34th state. This marked the end of nearly seven years of bitter and sometimes violent conflict over slavery in Kansas Territory.
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The constitution expressed progressive ideas of liberty
The Wyandotte Constitution, drafted in 1859, expressed progressive ideas of liberty and equality, taking a firm stance against slavery. The document, which served as the foundation for Kansas' admission to the Union as a free state, embodied the principles of freedom and individual rights.
One of the most notable aspects of the Wyandotte Constitution was its explicit prohibition of slavery. It stated, "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude within this state, otherwise than for the punishment of crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." This clause not only abolished slavery within the state but also prevented the practice from being reintroduced in the future. It guaranteed the freedom and liberty of all individuals, ensuring that no one could be held in a state of servitude or compelled to work against their will.
The constitution also enshrined the right to liberty and equality for all citizens. It declared that "all men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." By recognizing these inherent rights, the constitution affirmed the value and dignity of every person, regardless of their race, religion, or social status. It established the foundation for a just and equitable society, where all citizens could enjoy the freedoms and opportunities guaranteed by the constitution.
In addition to guaranteeing individual liberties, the Wyandotte Constitution also promoted progressive ideas of popular sovereignty and democratic governance. It established a system of representative government, with provisions for elections, a bill of rights, and a structure for state institutions. The constitution vested legislative power in a bicameral body, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives, directly elected by the people. This ensured that the citizens of Kansas had a direct say in the laws and policies that governed them, allowing for a more responsive and accountable government.
The constitution also included a bill of rights that protected a range of civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to bear arms and due process of law. These rights guaranteed the freedom and security of the people, safeguarding them from arbitrary or oppressive government actions. By enshrining these liberties in the constitution, Kansas affirmed its commitment to progressive ideals and the protection of individual freedoms.
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It granted a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy
The Wyandotte Constitution, drafted in 1859, addressed the issue of slavery in the proposed state of Kansas, which was a contentious topic at the time. The constitution reflected the sentiments of the majority of its writers, who were anti-slavery. One of the critical provisions of the Wyandotte Constitution was its stance on protecting settlers from bankruptcy through a homestead exemption.
The homestead exemption was a measure designed to provide some financial stability and security to settlers establishing themselves in Kansas. It allowed them to protect a portion of their property, specifically their primary residence, from creditors in the event of bankruptcy. This exemption ensured that even if a settler faced financial ruin, they would not lose their home and be left entirely destitute.
The inclusion of this measure was indeed intended to attract settlers to the new state and encourage immigration. By offering a level of financial security, the constitution's authors hoped to make Kansas more appealing to prospective homesteaders, particularly those from neighbouring states. This was especially important given the ongoing debate over slavery in the region, which had already caused significant turmoil and deterred potential settlers.
The exemption also served another critical purpose—it helped to solidify the free-state nature of Kansas. By encouraging settlement and providing economic stability, the homestead exemption contributed to the establishment of a stable, anti-slavery population in the state. This population would then be invested in maintaining Kansas as a free state and ensuring that it did not become a slave state, which had been a concern due to the influence of neighbouring Missouri, a slave state.
The specific provisions of the homestead exemption varied over time and with different interpretations of the law. Generally, it allowed settlers to claim a certain amount of land, typically ranging from 40 to 160 acres, as their protected homestead. In the event of bankruptcy, this land, along with the improvements made to it (such as a house), would be exempt from seizure by creditors. This exemption gave settlers a sense of security and encouraged them to invest their time and effort into establishing permanent residences in Kansas.
The Wyandotte Constitution's homestead exemption played a significant role in shaping the early settlement of Kansas. It not only provided financial protection for settlers but also contributed to the state's free-state identity. This measure attracted the desired population to Kansas, helping to ensure that the state entered the Union as a free state, ultimately tipping the balance of power towards the abolition of slavery nationwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wyandotte Constitution was approved in a referendum by a vote of 10,421 to 5,530 on October 4, 1859, and Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state.
The Wyandotte Constitution explicitly prohibited slavery. It also granted a homestead exemption to protect settlers from bankruptcy and offered limited suffrage to women.
The adoption of the Wyandotte Constitution marked the end of several years of bitter conflict over slavery in Kansas. It was a defeat for pro-slavery forces and a victory for anti-slavery advocates, who had consistently rejected attempts to impose pro-slavery governance in the state.
