Missouri's 1865 Constitution: A Post-Civil War Ratification

why was missouri constitution ratified in 1865

The Missouri Constitution is the state constitution of the U.S. State of Missouri. The second Missouri Constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. This second constitution ended the institution of slavery in the state, as Missouri was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation due to its status as a border state and part of the Union during the war.

Characteristics Values
Date of ratification 1865
Reason for ratification To abolish slavery in Missouri
Previous constitution Ratified in 1820
Previous constitution's duration 1821-1865
Subsequent constitution Ratified in 1875

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The Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1861-63

The 1865 constitution was Missouri's second constitution, replacing the first constitution which was drafted in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 to 1865. The 1820 constitution specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. As a result of the 1865 constitution, Missouri ended the institution of slavery. The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution later abolished slavery across the country.

A third version of the Missouri constitution was adopted in 1875 during the Reconstruction Era. This draft included a provision establishing the segregation of Missouri's school system and the appropriation of 25% of the state's general revenue for education. The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945 and provides for three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. It also sets up local governments in the form of counties and cities.

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The second constitution ended slavery in Missouri

The second constitution of Missouri was ratified in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. As Missouri was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation, the second constitution ended the institution of slavery in the state. The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution later abolished slavery across the country.

The second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were struck down by the US Supreme Court in Cummings v. Missouri (1867). The first constitution of Missouri was drafted in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 to 1865. It specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. During the Civil War, the Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861-63) was elected to decide on secession. They chose against secession and did not produce a new constitution. Instead, they operated as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri when the governor and other politicians who supported the Confederacy fled from Jefferson City. They provided elections to a new constitutional convention, which was elected in November 1864 and passed the second constitution.

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Missouri's status as a border state

Missouri's second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. The state's status as a border state meant that it was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation, despite being part of the Union during the war. The second constitution ended the institution of slavery in Missouri.

During the Civil War, the Missouri Constitutional Convention (1861-63) was elected to decide on secession. They chose against secession and did not produce a new constitution. Instead, they operated as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri when the governor and other pro-Confederate politicians fled from Jefferson City. They provided elections to a new constitutional convention, which was elected in November 1864 and passed a second Missouri state constitution that abolished slavery, ratified on June 6, 1865.

The first constitution was drafted in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 until 1865. It specifically excluded "free negroes and mulattoes" from the state. The third constitution was drafted in 1875 during the Reconstruction Era, during which the U.S. dealt with the fallout of the Civil War. This draft included a provision establishing the segregation of Missouri's school system and the appropriation of 25% of the state's general revenue for education.

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The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Missouri's second constitution was ratified in 1865 following the end of the Civil War. As Missouri was not included in the Emancipation Proclamation due to its status as both a border state and part of the Union during the war, the second constitution ended the institution of slavery for the state. The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution did so for the country as a whole later that year.

The Missouri Constitutional Convention of 1861-63 was elected to decide on secession. They chose against secession, and did not produce a new constitution. Instead, they operated as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri when Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson and other politicians that supported the Confederacy fled from Jefferson City. They provided elections to a new constitutional convention, which was elected in November 1864 and met in January 1865, and passed a second Missouri state constitution that abolished slavery, ratified on June 6, 1865. This second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were struck down by the US Supreme Court in Cummings v. Missouri (1867).

The first Missouri Constitution was drafted in 1820 and was in effect from 1821 to 1865. The third constitution was drafted 10 years later in 1875 during the Reconstruction Era, during which the U.S. dealt with the fallout of the Civil War. This draft included a provision establishing the segregation of Missouri's school system and the appropriation of 25 percent of the state's general revenue for education. The fourth and current Missouri Constitution was adopted in 1945 and is still in place today.

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The third constitution was drafted in 1875

The third constitution was drafted after a constitutional convention was held. This convention was elected in 1864 and met in January 1865. It passed a second Missouri state constitution that abolished slavery and was ratified on 6 June 1865. This second constitution was known as the "Draconian Constitution" due to its loyalty oath provisions, which were struck down by the US Supreme Court in Cummings v. Missouri (1867).

The third constitution was drafted during a time of great change and upheaval in the United States, as the country grappled with the aftermath of the Civil War and the end of slavery. The Reconstruction Era saw the country dealing with the fallout of the war, including the issue of segregation and the need for increased funding for education. The third constitution reflected these changing times and priorities, with provisions that established the segregation of Missouri’s school system and allocated a significant portion of the state’s revenue to education.

The third constitution also built on the work of the second constitution, which had ended slavery in Missouri. The second constitution had been drafted by a convention that functioned as a quasi-legislature for several years during the Civil War. This convention had chosen against secession and operated as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri when Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson and other politicians that supported the Confederacy fled from Jefferson City.

Frequently asked questions

The Missouri Constitution was ratified in 1865 to end the institution of slavery in the state.

Missouri was a border state and part of the Union during the Civil War.

The Missouri Constitutional Convention was a convention held during the Civil War to decide on secession. They chose against secession and operated as the de facto pro-Union government of Missouri.

The Missouri Constitutional Convention did not produce a new constitution. Instead, they provided elections to a new constitutional convention, which was elected in 1864 and passed the second Missouri state constitution.

The second Missouri state constitution, also known as the "Draconian Constitution", abolished slavery and included loyalty oath provisions, which were later struck down by the US Supreme Court.

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