Omar Bennett
Tennessee's current constitution was ratified in 1870, but the state's first constitution was adopted in 1796. The original Tennessee state constitution was not submitted to the voters for approval, but it was approved by US Congress, in conjunction with the resolution admitting Tennessee as a state. The 1870 constitution was written after the Civil War and was the third constitution of the state.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | March 1835 |
| Date of ratification by voters | March 26, 1870 |
| Date of first constitution | June 1, 1796 |
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What You'll Learn
Tennessee's first constitution was ratified in 1796
The 1796 constitution was widely criticised for giving insufficient authority to the executive, presumably a full-time governor, and investing too much authority in the legislature, a part-time body. It also failed to create a state supreme court, instead providing for "such superior and inferior courts" as the legislature should create, with judges elected by the legislature for indefinite terms.
Tennessee's current constitution is its third. The second was written in 1834, and the third in 1870, after the Civil War. Unlike the first two, the third constitution was submitted to voters for approval, receiving 42,666 votes for and 17,691 against.
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The constitution was drafted in Knoxville
The 1796 constitution was based on the United States Constitution, and most of the provisions regarding declarations on rights, taxes, and legislative authority were drawn from the North Carolina and Pennsylvania constitutions. Once it was completed, the delegates sent the Constitution to Washington City for review by Congress before it adjourned. President Washington signed the bill giving Tennessee immediate statehood on June 1, 1796.
The original Tennessee state constitution was not submitted to the voters for approval, but it was approved by US Congress, in conjunction with the resolution admitting Tennessee as a state. The constitution was drafted in response to Congress requiring a constitution before it would grant statehood.
Tennessee's current constitution is its third constitution. Previous constitutions were written in 1796 and 1834. The 1834 constitution was ratified by voters in March 1835, receiving 42,666 votes for it and 17,691 against it. The third document was largely written as a response to the requirement for all ex-Confederates to adopt new constitutions explicitly banning slavery.
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The 1796 constitution was criticised for giving the executive insufficient authority
Tennessee's first constitution was ratified in 1796, but it was criticised for giving the executive insufficient authority. The constitution was drafted in Knoxville by a convention of 55 delegates and was based on the United States Constitution. It was not submitted to the voters for approval, but it was approved by US Congress, in conjunction with the resolution admitting Tennessee as a state.
The 1796 constitution was widely criticised for giving the executive, presumably a full-time governor, insufficient authority, and investing too much authority in the legislature, a part-time body. This was cited as a primary reason for its replacement. The constitution also did not create a state supreme court, providing only for "such superior and inferior courts" as the legislature should create, with judges elected by the legislature for indefinite terms.
Tennessee's current constitution is its third, written after the Civil War in 1870. The original state constitution came into effect on June 1, 1796, concurrent with the state's admission to the Union. The 1870 constitution was largely written as a response to the requirement for all ex-Confederates to adopt new constitutions explicitly banning slavery.
The process of ratification is a familiar one for Tennessee. After Congress approved the 19th Amendment, at least 36 states needed to vote in favour of the amendment for it to become law. On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the amendment, with a tie-breaking vote cast by a young man named Harry Burn, acting on advice from his mother Phoebe.
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Tennessee's current constitution is its third constitution
The second constitution was written in 1834 and ratified by voters in March 1835. In November 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 for the convention, which began in January 1870. The third constitution was largely written as a response to the requirement for all ex-Confederates to adopt new constitutions explicitly banning slavery. The third and current constitution was written after the Civil War in 1870.
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The third constitution was written after the Civil War
Tennessee's third constitution was written after the Civil War in 1870. The constitution was ratified by voters in March 1835, receiving 42,666 votes for it and 17,691 against it. The third document was largely written as a response to the requirement for all ex-Confederates to adopt new constitutions explicitly banning slavery. The Tennessee General Assembly, on November 15, 1869, called for an election to be held in December 1869 for two purposes: to determine if a constitutional convention should be called to amend or replace the 1835 constitution and to elect delegates to that convention if the voters determined that it was to be held. The voters decided in favour of the convention, which began on January 10, 1870. The convention adjourned on February 23, 1870, after adopting the constitution and recommending its approval by the voters in a special election, which was conducted on March 26, 1870.
The first constitution of the state of Tennessee was adopted in 1796. The constitution was drafted in Knoxville by a convention consisting of 55 delegates. Once it was completed, the delegates sent the Constitution to Washington City for review by the Congress before it adjourned. President Washington signed the bill giving Tennessee immediate statehood on June 1, 1796. Most of the provisions regarding declarations on rights, taxes, and legislative authority were drawn from the North Carolina and Pennsylvania constitutions. The 1796 constitution was widely criticised as giving the executive, presumably a full-time governor, insufficient authority, and investing too much authority in the legislature, a part-time body. This was cited as a primary reason for its replacement. The 1796 constitution also did not create a state supreme court, providing only for "such superior and inferior courts" as the legislature should create, with judges elected by the legislature for indefinite terms.
Tennessee's second constitution was written in 1834. Unlike the first two constitutions, the original was never submitted to the voters but was approved by Congress in conjunction with the resolution admitting Tennessee as a state. In 1796, a constitutional convention met in Knoxville, Tennessee, to start constructing a constitution for the 16th state. Congress required a constitution before it would grant statehood. The state constitution was based on the United States Constitution.
Tennessee's current constitution is its third constitution. The process of ratification involves at least 36 states needing to vote in favour of the amendment for it to become law. On August 18, 1920, Tennessee became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment.
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Frequently asked questions
Tennessee's first constitution was ratified by US Congress on June 1, 1796, when Tennessee became a state.
No, the first constitution was not submitted to the voters for approval.
Tennessee's second constitution was ratified by voters in March 1835.
