Malcolm Rivera
Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the US Constitution in 1790, more than a year after it went into effect. The state played a key role in advancing the Constitution despite its strong opposition. In 1842, Rhode Island ratified a new constitution, which became effective in May 1843. This new constitution extended universal suffrage to all native adult males, including black males, for the first time in Rhode Island's history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification of the US Constitution | 29 May 1790 |
| Date of the Rhode Island Constitution | 1842 |
| Date the Rhode Island Constitution became effective | May 1843 |
| Date of the last constitutional convention | January 1986 |
| Date of the last ratification | November 1986 |
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![Constitution of the Rhode Island historical society 1871 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
The 1663 Royal Charter
Another important aspect of the charter was its acknowledgement of Native American rights. It recognised Indian rights to the soil, marking a departure from the European doctrine of "possession by right of discovery". The charter also extended to other English colonies, declaring it illegal for Rhode Island and its neighbouring colonies to invade the natives within their boundaries without each other's consent.
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Rhode Island's unique ratification process
Between September 1787 and January 1790, Rhode Island's legislature rejected 11 attempts to ratify the Constitution. Finally, in 1790, due to secession threats from Providence, Newport, and Bristol, and fearing reprisals from the other 12 ratifying states, Rhode Island held a convention and ratified the Constitution. This occurred more than a year after the Constitution went into effect, making Rhode Island the last state to ratify it.
Nearly a century later, in 1841, Rhode Island held another constitutional convention to address the issue of expanding suffrage. At this time, Rhode Island was still governed by the 1663 Royal Charter, which restricted voting rights to a small population of elite, rural, landowning, native-born white males. Two disenfranchised groups, immigrants, and free African-American laborers, had been petitioning for the right to vote for decades, and their efforts came to a head with the Dorr Rebellion in the spring of 1842.
In November 1842, a referendum was held, and the "white" provision was voted down, making Rhode Island the first state to grant suffrage to African-Americans. The new constitution was ratified by a vote of 7,024 to 51, and it became effective in May 1843. This constitution extended universal suffrage to all native adult males, including black males, for the first time in Rhode Island's history, provided they met property-holding and residency requirements.
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The Dorr Rebellion
Before the 1840s, several attempts were made to replace the colonial charter with a new state constitution that provided broader voting rights, but all failed. In 1841, suffrage supporters led by Dorr gave up on attempts to change the system from within. In October of that year, they held a People's Convention and drafted a new constitution, known as the People's Constitution, which granted the vote to all white men with one year's residence. The People's Constitution was voted on in December of that year and was overwhelmingly supported in a referendum.
In early 1842, both groups organised elections of their own, leading to the selection of both Dorr and Samuel Ward King as Governor of Rhode Island. In September 1842, a Constitutional Convention was held at the Colony House in Newport to confront the issue of expanding suffrage. When the constitution was put to a public vote in November 1842, voters rejected the restriction of voting rights to whites only by a three-to-one margin, thus making Rhode Island the first state to grant suffrage to African-Americans. The new constitution was ratified by an overwhelming vote of 7,024 to 51. The constitution became effective in May 1843.
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Outlawing slavery
The Constitution of Rhode Island, written in 1842, was a significant document that brought about several progressive changes in the state. One of the most notable aspects of this new constitution was its stance on outlawing slavery.
Article 1, Section 4 of the 1842 constitution explicitly outlawed slavery in Rhode Island. This provision was a powerful statement against the inhumane practice of slavery and represented a significant step towards equality and freedom for all. While the number of enslaved people in Rhode Island was very low, with only five people listed as enslaved in the 1840 census, the constitutional provision outlawing slavery was largely symbolic and carried immense moral weight.
The fight for suffrage and representation for African American men in Rhode Island played a crucial role in the lead-up to the new constitution. African American community leaders advocated for their right to vote, reminding political leaders of the fundamental principle of "taxation without representation." They argued that if they were being taxed, they deserved to be represented in the state legislature or exempt from taxation. This push for representation gained momentum, and African American men were finally granted the right to vote under the new constitution, marking a significant victory in the fight for racial equality.
The 1842 constitution extended universal suffrage to all native adult males, including black males, for the first time in Rhode Island's history. However, it is important to note that there were still property-holding and residency requirements in place. The fight for true universal suffrage, unencumbered by property or residency restrictions, would continue as a key civil rights issue in the years to come.
The outlawing of slavery in Rhode Island was a significant step forward, and it is worth acknowledging the efforts of those who advocated for the rights and freedom of all people. This provision in the Rhode Island Constitution served as a testament to the state's commitment to equality and the dignity of every individual, setting a precedent for future generations.
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The 1984 constitution
Rhode Island played a unique role in the drafting and ratification of the US Constitution. It was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was the last state to ratify the Constitution in 1790, more than a year after it went into effect. The state had concerns about the Constitution giving too much power to the central government and making its practice of printing paper money illegal.
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Frequently asked questions
The Rhode Island Constitution was written in 1842.
The 1842 Rhode Island Constitution extended universal suffrage to all native adult males, including black males, for the first time in the state's history.
The 1842 Rhode Island Constitution also outlawed slavery in the state, although this was largely symbolic as the 1840 census listed only five enslaved people in Rhode Island.
