Leavenworth Constitution facts for kids
The Leavenworth Constitution was one of four important documents written in Kansas during a tough time called Bleeding Kansas. It was created by a group of people who wanted Kansas to be a "Free State," meaning they were against slavery. This constitution was seen as the most forward-thinking of all the ideas for Kansas's future.
Contents
What Was the Leavenworth Constitution?
The Leavenworth Constitution was a plan for how Kansas would be governed as a state. It was written in 1858. People hoped it would help Kansas join the United States as a new state.
Why Was It Special?
This constitution was very progressive for its time. Here are some key parts:
- Rights for all: It included a Bill of Rights that said "all men" had rights. This was important because it did not separate the rights of white men from black men.
- No slavery: It clearly stated that slavery would be illegal in Kansas. This was a big deal during the Bleeding Kansas period.
- Women's rights: It also laid out a basic plan for the rights of women. This was very unusual for constitutions written in the 1800s.
How It Was Created
The idea for the Leavenworth Constitution came from the Territorial Legislature in February 1858. This happened while another constitution, the Lecompton Constitution, was being discussed in the U.S. Congress. A special meeting, called a constitutional convention, wrote the Leavenworth Constitution. This meeting took place in Leavenworth on April 3, 1858. The people of Kansas then voted on it and approved it on May 18, 1858.
Why It Didn't Pass
Even though the people of Kansas approved the Leavenworth Constitution, it did not become law. The U.S. Senate did not approve the document. Because of this, the Leavenworth Constitution did not have a big impact on the early history of Kansas.
Other Kansas Constitutions
The Leavenworth Constitution was one of four different attempts to create a state constitution for Kansas. The other proposed constitutions were:
- The Topeka Constitution (written in 1855)
- The Lecompton Constitution (written in 1857)
- The Wyandotte Constitution (written in 1859)
Related pages
More Information
- Wilder, D.W., "The Annals of Kansas". 1886.
- William G. Cutler, "History of the State of Kansas" 1883
- The Kansas Constitution
