Omar Bennett
The current Virginia Constitution was adopted in 1971, with revisions approved by public referendum in 1970. It was part of a nationwide wave of constitutional reform spurred by the civil rights movement. The 1971 Constitution repudiated the white supremacist taint of the 1902 Constitution, which disenfranchised African Americans, who made up 36% of the state's population. The 1971 Constitution forbade government discrimination based on race, colour, national origin, or sex. The Constitution of Virginia has undergone several revisions, with the original Virginia Constitution adopted in 1776.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | June 29, 1776 |
| Date of current constitution | 1971 |
| Previous revisions | 1830, 1851, 1864, 1870, 1902 |
| Reason for current revision | To repudiate the white supremacist taint of 1902 |
| Reason for 1902 revision | To disenfranchise African Americans |
| Reason for 1864 revision | To abolish slavery and address intrastate tensions |
| Reason for 1851 revision | To eliminate the property requirement for voting and address intrastate tensions |
| Reason for 1830 revision | To address intrastate tensions |
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What You'll Learn
The 1971 Constitution
The current Constitution of Virginia, adopted in 1971, is the result of a series of amendments to the previous 1902 Constitution. The 1971 Constitution was approved by public referendum in 1970 and implemented in 1971. It was part of a nationwide wave of constitutional reform influenced by the civil rights movement.
The 1902 Constitution had been drafted by a convention of delegates in Richmond, Virginia, with the explicit purpose of disenfranchising African Americans, who made up about 36% of the state's population at the time. The 1902 Constitution included draconian provisions that disenfranchised more whites than Blacks. It was not until the enactment of federal civil rights legislation in the mid-1960s that African Americans in Virginia regained suffrage.
The pressure for revising the 1902 Constitution mounted in the wake of the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision, which ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. In response, Virginia joined other southern states in "massive resistance" to desegregation, even closing some public schools altogether. The 1971 Constitution repudiated the racist legacy of the 1902 document, forbidding government discrimination based on race, colour, national origin, or sex.
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The 1902 Constitution
The Constitution of Virginia has undergone several revisions since the original was adopted in 1776. The 1902 Constitution was a response to the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which forbade states from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, colour, or previous servitude.
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The 1864 Constitution
The delegates who drafted the 1864 Constitution included 17 representatives from various counties and cities in Virginia, including Accomack, Alexandria, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Fairfax, James City, Loudoun, New Kent, Norfolk, Northampton, Princess Anne, Warwick, York, Alexandria, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Williamsburg. The convention was held in the U.S. District Court Room in Alexandria from February 13 to April 11, 1864.
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The 1851 Constitution
The most significant change brought about by the 1851 Constitution was the elimination of the property requirement for voting, extending suffrage to all white males of voting age. The constitution also established popular elections for the governor, the newly created office of lieutenant governor, and all Virginia judges.
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The 1830 Constitution
The Constitution of Virginia has undergone several revisions since the original 1776 version, with the current iteration being adopted in 1971. One of the major revisions took place in 1830, and this version of the constitution played a role in Virginia's Civil War-era politics.
The tensions led to discussions of secession or the abolition of slavery, and a new constitutional convention was called in 1851 to address these issues. The 1851 Constitution eliminated the property requirement for voting, extending suffrage to all white males of voting age, and established popular elections for the governor and other key positions.
While the 1830 Constitution was superseded by subsequent revisions, its impact on Virginia's political landscape during the Civil War era and its contribution to the state's divided status during that tumultuous period are notable aspects of its legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
The current Virginia Constitution was adopted in 1971. It is a series of amendments to the 1902 constitution and was approved by public referendum in 1970.
The 1971 Constitution was part of a nationwide wave of constitutional reform, spurred by the civil rights movement. It repudiated the white supremacist taint of 1902, forbidding government discrimination based on race, colour, national origin, or sex.
The 1902 Constitution was created to prevent Black Virginians from voting and further embed segregation into Virginia's institutions. It disenfranchised more whites than Blacks.
The 1864 Constitution was approved by a separate or "restored" government during the Civil War. It abolished slavery in Virginia, recognised the creation of the State of West Virginia, and adjusted the number and terms of office of the members of the Virginia Assembly.
The 1851 Constitution eliminated the property requirement for voting, extending suffrage to all white males of voting age. It also established popular elections for the governor, lieutenant governor, and all Virginia judges.
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