Jonah Patel
Missouri's first constitution was adopted on July 19, 1820, more than a year before it became a state on August 10, 1821. The first constitution was drafted in 38 days and was in effect from 1821 until 1865, when the second constitution became effective. The territory of Missouri first applied for statehood in 1817 and was considered for the opportunity to become a state in the Union two years later. The Missouri Compromise allowed Missouri to enter as a slave state, and the first constitution specifically excluded free negroes and mulattoes from the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first constitution | 1820 |
| Date of adoption of first constitution | July 19, 1820 |
| Date of statehood | August 10, 1821 |
| Number of constitutions | 4 |
| Current constitution | 1945 |
| Number of amendments | 119+ |
| Constitution amendment requirements | Majority vote by all voters |
| Constitutional convention referendum | Every 20 years |
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What You'll Learn
The first constitution was written in 1820
The first constitution of Missouri was written in 1820, a year before it became a state in 1821. The first Missouri Constitutional Convention assembled in St. Louis on June 12, 1820, comprising 40 men from 15 Missouri counties. The convention elected David Barton, one of eight delegates representing St. Louis County, as its president. The constitution was drafted in just 38 days and was adopted on July 19, 1820.
The original constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. Notably, Missouri was admitted as a slave state, and the constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" initially prevented the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the Union.
The first constitution also established the judicial branch of government. It provided that "the judicial powers as to matters of law and equity shall be vested in a 'Supreme Court' in a 'Chancellor' in 'Circuit Courts,' and in such inferior tribunals as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish." The 1820 constitution gave the Supreme Court of Missouri jurisdiction over only appellate cases, but it also bestowed upon the Court "control over all inferior courts of law."
Missouri has had four constitutions over its history, reflecting the changes the state has undergone over time. The second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War, which abolished slavery in the state. The third constitution was drafted in 1875, and the current constitution, Missouri's fourth, was adopted in 1945 and remains in effect today.
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It was adopted on July 19, 1820
On July 19, 1820, Missouri adopted its first constitution, which was drafted in only 38 days. This constitution was one of the results of the Missouri Compromise, which allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state. The constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state.
The first constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. It also established the judicial branch of government, providing that "the judicial powers as to matters of law and equity, shall be vested in a 'Supreme Court' in a 'Chancellor' in 'Circuit Courts,' and in such inferior tribunals as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish." The 1820 constitution gave the Supreme Court of Missouri jurisdiction over only appellate cases, but it also bestowed the Court with "control over all inferior courts of law."
The territory of Missouri first applied for statehood in 1817 and was considered for the opportunity to become the 23rd state in the Union two years later. On June 12, 1820, the first Missouri Constitutional Convention assembled in St. Louis, comprising 40 men from 15 Missouri counties. The convention elected David Barton, one of eight delegates representing St. Louis County, as its president.
Missouri became a state in 1821 and has had four constitutions in its history. The first constitution was in effect from 1821 until 1865, when the second constitution became effective following the end of the Civil War. The current constitution was adopted in 1945 and remains in effect today, with various amendments made over time.
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It was written in 38 days
The first constitution of Missouri was written in 38 days in 1820 and was adopted on July 19, 1820, more than a year before Missouri was admitted as the 24th state of the Union on August 10, 1821. The first Missouri Constitutional Convention assembled in St. Louis on June 12, 1820, and was made up of 40 men from 15 Missouri counties. The convention elected David Barton, one of eight delegates representing St. Louis County, as president.
The original constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process. It also specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. This "exclusion clause" initially prevented the US Congress from admitting Missouri to the Union, but it was chosen to be interpreted in a deliberately vague manner.
The territory of Missouri first applied for statehood in 1817 and was considered for the opportunity to become the 23rd state in the Union two years later. Congress passed what became known as the Missouri Compromise to allow Missouri to enter as a slave state, keeping the divide between the two sides of the issue even.
The current Missouri Constitution, adopted in 1945, is the state's fourth constitution. It provides for three branches of government: legislative (the Missouri General Assembly), executive (the Governor of Missouri), and judicial (the Supreme Court of Missouri). It also sets up local governments in the form of counties and cities.
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It established the judicial branch of government
On July 19, 1820, Missouri adopted its first constitution, more than a year before it officially became a state on August 10, 1821. This original constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process.
The first constitution was written by the Constitutional Convention in 1820 in only 38 days. Notably, it established the judicial branch of government, which is currently comprised of judges serving on different courts, including the Supreme Court of Missouri, the Missouri Courts of Appeals, and Circuit Courts.
Article V, Section 1 of the 1820 constitution stated that "the judicial powers as to matters of law and equity, shall be vested in a 'Supreme Court' in a 'Chancellor' in 'Circuit Courts,' and in such inferior tribunals as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish." This division of power gave the circuit courts original jurisdiction over all criminal cases, while the "courts of chancery" had jurisdiction over certain civil cases, such as "all matters of equity."
The 1820 constitution also bestowed the Supreme Court of Missouri with "control over all inferior courts of law." To this day, Missouri's highest court continues to exercise "superintending authority" over all the state's lower courts.
Since its first constitution, Missouri has had four constitutions in total, reflecting the changes and evolution of the state throughout its history. The current constitution, adopted in 1945, is the fourth and most recent iteration.
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It included 13 articles
The first constitution of Missouri was drafted in 1820 and adopted on July 19, 1820, more than a year before Missouri was admitted as a state of the Union on August 10, 1821. This original constitution included 13 articles, which established the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process.
The first constitution was written by the Constitutional Convention, which was made up of 40 men from 15 Missouri counties. The assembly elected David Barton, one of eight delegates representing St. Louis County, as president of the convention. Notably, the 1820 constitution was drafted in just 38 days.
Article V, Section 1 of the 1820 constitution provided that "the judicial powers as to matters of law and equity, shall be vested in a 'Supreme Court' in a 'Chancellor' in 'Circuit Courts,' and in such inferior tribunals as the general assembly may, from time to time, ordain and establish." This article remains relevant today, as it pertains to the courts in the current state constitution.
The 1820 constitution also divided original jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases. It gave the circuit courts original jurisdiction over all criminal cases, while the "courts of chancery" had jurisdiction over certain civil cases. For example, the chancery courts had original and appellate jurisdiction over "all matters of equity" and "general control."
The first constitution of Missouri established the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters. It is worth noting that Missouri has had four constitutions over its history, reflecting the changes and evolution of the state and nation over time.
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Frequently asked questions
Missouri's first constitution was adopted on July 19, 1820.
The original constitution included 13 articles, establishing the boundaries of the future state, the system of government, the Missouri militia, the education system, and the amendment process.
The first constitution was in effect from 1821 to 1865, when the second constitution became effective.
Missouri has had four constitutions over its two centuries of statehood. The current constitution was adopted in 1945 and is the state's fourth constitution.
