Jonah Patel
On July 8, 1777, a group of delegates met in Windsor to sign the Constitution of Vermont, declaring the state's independence from New Hampshire and New York. The current Vermont Constitution, however, was adopted in 1793, two years after Vermont was admitted to the Union in 1791. The 1793 Constitution was based on the 1777 Constitution of the Vermont Republic, which was drafted when Vermont was an independent country. Since its adoption, the Vermont Constitution has been amended several times, with the most recent amendments approved by voters in 2022.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of signing | 4 July 1786 |
| Date of first Constitution | 8 July 1777 |
| Date of current Constitution | 1793 |
| Number of chapters in the current Constitution | 2 |
| Number of amendments to the current Constitution | 53 |
| Date of last amendment | 8 November 2022 |
| Number of words | 8,295 |
| Procedure for amending the Constitution | As established by Vermont Constitution, Chapter 2, Section 72 |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution of Vermont was signed in 1777
On July 8, 1777, a group of delegates met in Windsor to sign the Constitution of Vermont, declaring the state's independence from New York and New Hampshire. The constitution also established a government and laws for the state, with the people empowered to elect their government. Notably, the 1777 Constitution of Vermont was one of the earliest to limit slavery and guarantee personal freedoms and individual rights.
The Constitution of Vermont, drafted in 1777, served as the foundational document for the state's governance and outlined the rights and freedoms of its inhabitants. It was amended in 1786 to address certain grievances and ensure its alignment with the changing needs of the state. The 1786 amendment continued to be in effect even after Vermont's admission to the Union in 1791.
The 1786 Constitution of Vermont played a crucial role in the state's transition from independence to becoming one of the states of the Union. During this transition, the governor, the governor's council, and other state officers, including judges, continued their terms of office. However, the 1786 Constitution still enumerated grievances against the government of New York, which had been a significant factor in Vermont's declaration of independence.
In 1793, two years after Vermont joined the Union, the Constitution was amended comprehensively to eliminate mentions of grievances against King George III and the State of New York. This amendment reflected the changing political landscape and the need to forge harmonious relationships with neighbouring states. The 1793 Constitution of Vermont, with various later amendments, remains in effect today, making it one of the oldest state constitutions in the country.
The Constitution of Vermont has been amended multiple times to adapt to the evolving needs and values of the state and its people. The process of amending the constitution is carefully outlined, with the Vermont General Assembly, the state's bicameral legislature, holding the sole power to propose amendments. The current Vermont Constitution, with its two chapters, has been amended 53 times, the most recent amendments being approved by voters in 2022.
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Vermont was an independent state from 1777-1791
On July 8, 1777, Vermont declared itself an independent state, separating itself from New York and New Hampshire. The Constitution of Vermont, drafted in 1777, was among the most far-reaching in guaranteeing personal freedoms and individual rights. It was also one of the first to limit slavery. The constitution established a government and laws for the state, with the people electing their government.
The 1777 Constitution of Vermont was drafted at Windsor in the Old Constitution House and was amended in 1786. This amendment was recommended by the Vermont Council of Censors, a body charged by the Constitution with recommending constitutional amendments and reviewing the constitutionality of legislation. The 1786 Constitution continued in effect when, in 1791, Vermont transitioned from independence to becoming one of the states of the Union. Vermont was admitted to the Union in 1791, and the 1793 Constitution was adopted two years later.
The 1793 Constitution was amended to eliminate all mention of grievances against King George III and the State of New York. This was because, in 1790, New York's legislature finally renounced its claims that Vermont was a part of New York. The 1793 Constitution has been amended 53 times, with the most recent amendments being approved by voters in 2022.
Vermont's Constitution is the only active constitutional document to have been drafted and ratified outside of the United States. It is also the shortest U.S. state constitution, with 8,295 words. It is largely unchanged since 1777 and continues to be the basis for the Vermont government.
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The Constitution was amended in 1786
The US Constitution was amended in 1786, but this was the Constitution of Vermont, rather than the US Constitution. The Constitution of Vermont is the fundamental body of law of the US state of Vermont and describes and frames its government. The 1786 version of this constitution was based on the 1777 Constitution of the Vermont Republic, which was drafted in Windsor in the Old Constitution House.
The 1777 Constitution was notable for its Declaration of Rights of the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont, which anticipated the United States Bill of Rights by 12 years. It also established a unicameral legislature, inspired by Pennsylvania's Constitution. This was followed by a "Plan or Frame of Government", which outlined the structure of governance. This included the election of the governor by the freemen of the state, regardless of property ownership, and representation of each town in the legislative assembly.
The 1786 Constitution continued in effect when, in 1791, Vermont transitioned from independence to becoming one of the states of the Union. The governor, members of the governor's council, and other officers of the state, including judges in all courts, simply continued their terms of office. The 1793 Constitution was adopted two years after Vermont's admission to the Union and remains in effect today, albeit with various later amendments.
The Vermont Constitution establishes the procedure for amending the constitution, which must be initiated by a Senate elected in an "off-year", meaning an election that does not coincide with the election of the US president. An amendment must be proposed by the Senate and approved by a two-thirds vote before receiving a majority vote in the House. After a newly elected legislature is seated, the amendment must again receive a majority vote in each chamber, first the Senate and then the House.
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Vermont was admitted to the Union in 1791
Vermont has had a rich and complex political history. The state's journey towards becoming an integral part of the Union began in the 1770s, when the people of the Grants were engaged in a struggle against the Yorkers. Simultaneously, the thirteen colonies were fighting for their independence from England. The desire for freedom and self-governance united these two concurrent movements.
On July 8, 1777, delegates convened in Windsor to sign the Constitution of Vermont, declaring the state's independence from New York and New Hampshire. This constitution, with its Declaration of Rights, was a pioneering document, guaranteeing personal freedoms and individual rights to the inhabitants of Vermont. It also established a government and outlined laws, including the groundbreaking provision that the government must compensate individuals if their land was expropriated. Notably, the 1777 Constitution restricted slavery, stating that male slaves would become free at 21 and females at 18.
However, Vermont's path to full statehood was not without its challenges. From 1777 to 1791, Vermont existed as an independent country, often referred to as the Vermont Republic. During this period, the state operated under the 1786 Constitution, which continued to outline the structure of governance and address grievances against King George III and the State of New York. It was only in 1790 that New York's legislature relinquished its claims over Vermont, clearing the way for its admission to the Union.
Finally, in 1791, Vermont officially transitioned from being an independent entity to becoming one of the states of the Union. This marked a significant shift in the state's status, and the 1793 Constitution was subsequently adopted two years later, eliminating any mention of grievances against King George III and the State of New York. The 1793 Constitution, modelled after the 1777 Constitution, has endured with various amendments and continues to be the foundation of Vermont's governance today.
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The current Constitution was adopted in 1793
The current Vermont Constitution, the only active constitutional document to have been drafted and ratified outside of the United States, was adopted in 1793, two years after Vermont gained admission to the Union in 1791. It is largely based on the 1777 Constitution of the Vermont Republic, which was drafted in Windsor, and amended in 1786.
The 1793 Constitution replaced the 1786 Constitution, which had been in effect since Vermont was an independent country. The 1786 Constitution was no longer appropriate as it enumerated grievances against the government of New York, which had been a major reason for Vermont's declaration of independence. The 1793 Constitution eliminated all mention of these grievances against King George III and the State of New York.
The 1777 Constitution, drafted on July 8, 1777, almost six months after Vermont declared itself an independent state, was among the most far-reaching in guaranteeing personal freedoms and individual rights. It was amended in 1786 upon the recommendation of the Vermont Council of Censors, a body tasked with recommending constitutional amendments and reviewing the constitutionality of legislation. The 1777 Constitution's Declaration of Rights of the Inhabitants of the State of Vermont anticipated the United States Bill of Rights by a dozen years.
The 1793 Constitution has been amended several times, with the most recent amendments being approved by voters on November 8, 2022. The Vermont Constitution, with its 8,295 words, is the shortest U.S. state constitution and one of the oldest in the country. It continues to form the basis of the Vermont government, outlining the state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
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Frequently asked questions
Vermont first signed its constitution on July 8, 1777.
The 1777 constitution said that Vermont was an independent state, not part of New York or New Hampshire. It also established a government and laws for the state, and outlined the process for the government to pay people whose land had been taken away.
Vermont adopted its current constitution in 1793, two years after it was admitted to the Union in 1791.
The Vermont Constitution is the shortest U.S. state constitution at 8,295 words.
