Omar Bennett
The 1834 Tennessee State Constitutional Convention, led by William Carter, saw 60 delegates meet in Nashville to alter the state's 1796 constitution. The convention passed reactionary resolutions against free and enslaved Black Americans, with a focus on limiting suffrage to white males. The 1835 constitution that resulted from the convention rejected petitions to abolish slavery and instead solidified it through new measures, driven by the influence of the Haitian Revolution and the creation of an independent Black nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of adoption | 1835 |
| Purpose | To update the court system and address problems in the original constitution |
| Voting rights | Limited suffrage to white males |
| Number of judges in the state supreme court | 3 |
| Judge's age requirement | 35 years old |
| Judge's term length | 12 years |
| Provisions regarding slavery | Prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime |
| Provisions on legislative power | Forbid the legislature from making any law recognizing the right of property in man |
| Influence of Haitian Revolution | The revolution's influence on the destruction of slavery and the creation of an independent Black nation of Haiti was noted by Whites in Tennessee |
| Reaction to Haitian Revolution | The state assembly passed an act making it illegal to discuss current events or revolutionary topics near enslaved people |
| Report on slavery in Tennessee | Presented by Stephenson, led to reactionary resolutions against free and enslaved Black Americans |
| Proposal to strip Black Tennesseans of citizenship | Proposed by L. Marr of Obion County, argued by William H. Loving of Haywood County that allowing Black citizens to vote would set a deadly precedent |
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What You'll Learn
The 1834 convention rejected a petition to abolish slavery
The Tennessee Constitution was first drafted in 1796 in Knoxville by a convention of 55 delegates. It was then sent to Washington for review by Congress, after which Tennessee became a state. The constitution was revised in 1834 to address problems in the original document, including an update to the court system. However, the 1834 convention rejected a petition to abolish slavery.
The original 1796 constitution was largely based on the constitutions of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, particularly regarding declarations of rights, taxes, and legislative authority. It is regarded as one of the most republican state constitutions, with Thomas Jefferson describing it as the "least imperfect and most republican".
While the 1834 revisions addressed some issues, they did not lead to the abolition of slavery in Tennessee. Slavery remained a complex and contentious issue in the United States, with various states and territories having different laws and practices regarding enslavement.
The rejection of the petition to abolish slavery in the 1834 Tennessee Constitution reflects the prevailing attitudes and priorities of the time. It is important to consider the historical context, including economic factors and societal norms, to understand why the convention made this decision.
The Tennessee Constitution of 1834 and its stance on slavery provide valuable insights into the state's history and the broader context of slavery in the United States. While the rejection of the petition to abolish slavery may be disappointing from a modern perspective, understanding the past helps inform efforts to promote equality and justice in the present and future.
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It stripped Black citizens of political participation rights
The second Tennessee State Constitution, adopted in 1835, resulted from a state constitutional convention that took place in 1834. This convention was convened to revise the original 1796 constitution and address some of its problems. One of the key issues under debate was slavery, with antislavery interests petitioning the convention to abolish it. However, the delegates rejected this proposal and instead enacted measures that further entrenched slavery and stripped Black citizens of their political participation rights.
The 1834 convention was influenced by the Haitian Revolution and the creation of an independent Black nation of Haiti. This external example of resistance to slavery and the fear it induced in White Tennesseans played a significant role in shaping the convention's outcomes. The delegates passed reactionary resolutions against both free and enslaved Black Americans. On June 28, 1834, a proposal was put forward to strip free Black Tennesseans of their citizenship and participation in the political system, which had been granted in the 1796 constitution.
The arguments against allowing Black citizens the right to vote were steeped in racism and fear. William H. Loving of Haywood County, for instance, argued that Black suffrage would set a dangerous precedent and encourage enslaved people to rise up against their White oppressors. He cited the example of Saint-Domingue (Haiti), claiming that it would lead to "the overthrow or total extinction of the White race".
After much debate, the 1834 convention decreed that only White men in Tennessee had the freedom to vote. This decision directly contradicted the ideals of the 1796 constitution, which had granted suffrage to free Black men. By limiting voting rights to White males, the second Tennessee Constitution effectively stripped Black citizens of their political participation rights and solidified the subjugation and supremacy of Whites in the state.
The impact of the 1834 convention extended beyond the realm of politics. It sent a clear message of White society's determination to uphold and protect the institution of slavery, ensuring that it remained firmly in place in Tennessee. This reactionary response to the Haitian Revolution and the fear of similar uprisings in the state ultimately resulted in the further disenfranchisement and oppression of Black Tennesseans.
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The constitution limited suffrage to white males
The Tennessee State Constitution of 1834, also known as the second Tennessee State Constitution, limited suffrage to white males. This was a significant change from the first constitution, which was drafted in 1796 and granted suffrage to free Black men. The 1834 Constitution was a result of a state constitutional convention that took place in Nashville, with 60 delegates in attendance. The convention was influenced by the Haitian Revolution and the creation of an independent Black nation. The delegates created a report on slavery in Tennessee, which led to the passage of reactionary resolutions against both free and enslaved Black Americans. One of the key figures in this process was representative L. Marr of Obion County, who proposed a resolution to strip free Black Tennesseans of their citizenship and the right to participate in the political system. This resolution was supported by other delegates, who argued that allowing Black citizens to vote would set a dangerous precedent and threaten the supremacy of White society in Tennessee. As a result, the 1834 Constitution restricted suffrage to White men only, reflecting the racist and paranoid attitudes of the time.
The limitation of suffrage to white males in the 1834 Tennessee Constitution was part of a broader effort to solidify and protect the institution of slavery in the state. The convention delegates rejected petitions from antislavery interests to abolish slavery and instead enacted measures to uphold and strengthen it. This included disenfranchising free Black men, who had previously been granted the right to vote under the 1796 constitution. The 1834 Constitution reflected the fears and anxieties of White Tennesseans in the wake of Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831 and the growing movement for Black emancipation. By restricting suffrage to white males, the constitution sought to maintain the racial hierarchy and power dynamics that underpinned slavery in Tennessee and other Southern states.
The 1834 Constitution's restriction of suffrage to white males had significant implications for the political landscape of Tennessee. It effectively excluded free Black men from participating in the democratic process and denied them a voice in shaping the state's laws and policies. This disenfranchisement contributed to the marginalization and oppression of Black communities in Tennessee, as they were denied the right to represent and advocate for their interests through the electoral system. The limitation of suffrage also reinforced racial segregation and discrimination, as it legally entrenched the notion that only white males were fit to participate in governance and decision-making.
Moreover, the 1834 Constitution's limitation of suffrage to white males had broader implications for the national discourse on slavery and race relations. It demonstrated the entrenched resistance to racial equality and the preservation of slavery in Tennessee and other Southern states. The constitution's explicit exclusion of Black men from the political process sent a strong signal that challenged the ideals of equality and freedom espoused by the burgeoning abolitionist movement. The constitution's provisions reflected the fears and anxieties of white elites, who sought to maintain their social, economic, and political dominance by denying political agency to those they viewed as a threat to their way of life.
The 1834 Tennessee Constitution's restriction of suffrage to white males was not permanent and was eventually challenged and amended. In 1869, the Tennessee General Assembly called for an election to determine if a constitutional convention should be held to amend or replace the 1835 constitution. The voters decided in favor of the convention, which resulted in the adoption of a new constitution in 1870. This third constitution, which is still in use today with subsequent amendments, was written in response to the requirement for former Confederate states to adopt new constitutions explicitly banning slavery. While the 1870 constitution addressed some of the issues of the previous constitutions, it retained certain provisions and did not immediately grant suffrage to African Americans, demonstrating the ongoing struggle for racial equality and voting rights in Tennessee and across the United States.
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It provided for a state supreme court
The second Tennessee State Constitution, adopted in 1835, was drafted during a state constitutional convention that took place in Nashville in 1834. The convention was attended by 60 delegates, and William Carter of Carter County presided over the proceedings. One of the key outcomes of this convention was the provision for a state supreme court, which was established to update the state's court system and address shortcomings in the original constitution.
The second Tennessee Constitution's state supreme court was designed to consist of three judges, with each judge representing one of the state's grand divisions. This ensured geographic diversity and representation across Tennessee. The eligibility requirements for judges were also specified, mandating that they be at least 35 years old and serve for a term of 12 years.
The establishment of the state supreme court was a significant development in Tennessee's judicial system, providing a higher level of judicial authority and review. It played a crucial role in interpreting and applying the state's laws, ensuring a more uniform and consistent application of justice across Tennessee.
The inclusion of a state supreme court in the 1834 constitution reflected the state's growing legal needs and complexities. It provided a mechanism for resolving legal disputes, interpreting the state's laws, and ensuring a more efficient and effective judicial process. The court also helped to balance the powers of the other branches of government, providing a system of checks and balances to protect the rights of Tennessee's citizens.
While the creation of the state supreme court was a notable advancement, the 1834 constitution also had setbacks in terms of racial equality. During the convention, antislavery interests petitioned for the abolition of slavery, but these efforts were rejected. Instead, the constitution limited suffrage to white males, disenfranchising free black men who had previously held the right to vote under the 1796 constitution. This reflected the racist sentiments of the time and the influence of fears raised by Nat Turner's Rebellion in 1831.
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The constitution was a reaction to the Haitian Revolution
The 1834 Tennessee Constitution was a revision of the original constitution from 1796, which was drafted in Knoxville and sent to Washington City for review before Tennessee became a state. The 1834 revision addressed problems in the original constitution and updated the court system.
The 1834 Tennessee State Constitutional Convention was heavily influenced by the Haitian Revolution and the symbolism of the destruction of slavery in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue, which resulted in the independent Black nation of Haiti. The influence of this revolution on the Tennessee Constitution was significant, despite the state's geographical distance from Haiti.
The revolution in Haiti, which resulted in the abolition of slavery and the establishment of an independent Black nation, was a powerful symbol for enslaved people and abolitionists in Tennessee and across the Atlantic World. In reaction to this, White enslavers in Tennessee sought to solidify slavery through more draconian measures in the state's constitution. They aimed to protect and secure their power and the unjust subjugation of Black people.
As a result of the influence of the Haitian Revolution, the 1834 Tennessee Constitution included reactionary resolutions against both free and enslaved Black Americans. For example, a resolution proposed by L. Marr of Obion County sought to strip free Black Tennesseans of their citizenship and political participation, which they had been technically granted in the 1796 constitution.
The paranoid and racist rhetoric within the constitutional convention's report on slavery was not only aimed at arguing against emancipation but also at justifying the practice of slavery and ensuring its continuation. The fear of rebellion and insurrection among enslaved people was a significant factor in the creation of these reactionary measures.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1834 Tennessee Constitution was the second version of the state constitution, adopted in 1835.
The 1834 Constitution did not abolish slavery, despite antislavery interests petitioning the convention to do so. Instead, it stripped free Black Tennesseans of their political rights and limited suffrage to white males.
The 1834 Constitution updated the court system and provided for a state supreme court with three judges, one from each grand division of the state.
The 1834 Constitution was drafted against the backdrop of the Haitian Revolution, which had resulted in the destruction of slavery in the former French colony of Saint-Domingue and the creation of an independent Black nation of Haiti. This influenced the rhetoric and fears of White enslavers in Tennessee, who sought to solidify slavery through more stringent measures.
The original Tennessee Constitution, adopted in 1796, did not explicitly address slavery. It was drafted by 55 delegates in Knoxville and approved by the US Congress, coinciding with Tennessee's admission to the Union.
