Eleanor Finch
Louisiana has had 10 constitutions since 1812, with the current constitution being adopted in 1974. The Louisiana Constitution is the state constitution of Louisiana and outlines the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year ratified | 1974 |
| Date ratified | 20 April 1974 |
| Date effective | 1 January 1975 |
| Number of constitutions | 11 |
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What You'll Learn
Louisiana has had 10 constitutions since 1812
The process of creating and amending the Louisiana Constitution has been a dynamic one, with frequent modifications and almost constant voting on new additions. The state's unique history and cultural context have also played a role in shaping its constitutional development. For example, the Constitution of 1879, which was ratified on December 8, 1879, returned Louisiana to home rule but also placed more limits on the voting rights of freedmen.
Another significant constitution was adopted in 1868, during the Reconstruction era. This constitution provided a formal bill of rights, eradicated the Black Codes of 1865, removed property qualifications for holding office, and continued the disfranchisement of former Confederates. It also secured full citizenship for Black men, granting them equal civil and political rights, as well as state-funded public education that prohibited segregated schools.
The most recent constitution, ratified in 1974, came into effect on January 1, 1975. It was the result of a Constitutional Convention held that year and was approved by the voters of the state. This constitution built upon the previous ones and further refined the state's governance and the rights of its citizens.
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The Louisiana Constitution of 1898
Louisiana has had 10 constitutions since 1812, with the Louisiana Constitution of 1898 being the third-to-last. It was adopted in Convention on May 12, 1898, and included several provisions that restricted the voting rights of black people. For example, Article 197 provided restrictions directed primarily at black voters, and Article 198 levied an annual poll tax of one dollar on all males aged 21 to 60 who wanted to be eligible to vote. Receipt of the previous two years' payments was required. The money raised was to be used in the parish where the tax was levied and collected for education.
For the first time, women taxpayers were allowed to vote (Article 199). An annual poll tax of one dollar was also levied on every male between the ages of 21 and 60, with the money raised being used for public school maintenance (Article 231).
The Constitution of 1879 was adopted in conference on July 23 and ratified on December 8, 1879, returning Louisiana to home rule. The new constitution placed more limits on the voting rights of freedmen. Louisiana's most recent constitution was ratified in 1974 and became effective on January 1, 1975.
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The Louisiana Purchase in 1803
Louisiana has had a long and complex constitutional history. The state's constitution was ratified in 1974, but the Louisiana Purchase, which marked the beginning of statehood for Louisiana, took place in 1803. In 1804, the land the United States purchased from France was divided into two territories: the Louisiana Territory (the upper territory) and the area below the 33rd parallel (the current Louisiana-Arkansas state line), which became the Orleans Territory. The Orleans Territory formed the bulk of what is now the State of Louisiana.
The Louisiana Purchase was a significant event in American history, as it doubled the size of the United States and provided the country with a vast new territory to explore and settle. The purchase was negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson and was completed on April 30, 1803, with the signing of the Treaty of Cession by the United States and France. The United States paid France $15 million for the territory, which amounted to around three cents per acre.
The Louisiana Purchase was not without controversy, however. Some members of Congress questioned the constitutionality of the purchase, arguing that the Constitution did not give the federal government the power to acquire new territory. Others objected to the price, which they felt was too high. Despite these objections, the purchase was ultimately approved by Congress and ratified by the Senate in October 1803.
The acquisition of Louisiana had a significant impact on the United States' relationship with Native American tribes in the region. The United States inherited a number of treaties that had been signed between France and various Native American nations, and it also began negotiating its own treaties with tribes in the area. These treaties often involved land cessions, as the United States sought to open up more land for American settlement.
In addition to its impact on Native American tribes, the Louisiana Purchase also had significant implications for the United States' relationship with other countries, particularly Spain and Great Britain. The purchase gave the United States control over the port of New Orleans, which had previously been under Spanish control. This led to tensions with Spain, which eventually resulted in the outbreak of the War of 1812. The purchase also affected the United States' relations with Great Britain, as the two countries competed for influence and control in North America.
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The Constitution of 1879
Louisiana has had 10 constitutions since 1812, with the present constitution frequently modified. Louisiana citizens are accustomed to almost constant voting on new additions to the state constitution. The Constitution of 1879 was adopted in conference on July 23, and was ratified on December 8, 1879, returning Louisiana to home rule. The new constitution placed more limits on the voting rights of freedmen.
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The first Louisiana constitution in 1868
Louisiana has had 10 constitutions since 1812, with the first Louisiana constitution being ratified in 1868. This was the first constitution in Louisiana to provide a formal bill of rights. It eradicated the Black Codes of 1865, removed property qualifications for holding office, and former Confederates were still disfranchised. Black men secured full citizenship with equal civil and political rights, and state-funded public education that prohibited segregated schools. This was funded by one-half of the income from a poll tax. The constitution also provided for equal treatment on public transportation.
The 1868 constitution was adopted in conference on March 7, 1868, and was ratified on April 20, 1974, becoming effective on January 1, 1975. The beginning of statehood for Louisiana began with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1804, the land the United States purchased from France was divided into two territories: the Louisiana Territory (the upper territory) and the area below the 33rd parallel (the current Louisiana-Arkansas state line), the Orleans Territory. The Orleans Territory formed the bulk of what is today the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana is different from other states in that it has had so many constitutions. The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, is a short document that has only been amended 27 times, with 17 changes since 1791 when the first 10 amendments (the Bill of Rights) were ratified. Louisiana citizens are accustomed to almost constant voting on new additions to the state constitution.
The 1868 constitution was followed by the Constitution of 1879, which was adopted in conference on July 23 and ratified on December 8, 1879, returning Louisiana to home rule. This constitution placed more limits on the voting rights of freedmen. The Louisiana Constitution of 1898 was then adopted in Convention on May 12, 1898. This provided restrictions directed primarily at black voters. An annual poll tax of one dollar was levied on all males aged 21 to 60 to be eligible to vote, with receipt of the previous two years' payment being required.
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Frequently asked questions
The Louisiana Constitution was ratified by voters on April 20, 1974, and became effective on January 1, 1975.
Louisiana has had 11 constitutions since 1812.
The first Louisiana Constitution to provide a formal bill of rights was ratified on March 7, 1868.
