Wyandotte Constitution facts for kids

The Wyandotte Constitution is a very important document for the U.S. state of Kansas. Think of a constitution as a rulebook for a state or country. This rulebook explains how the government works and what rights people have.

The Wyandotte Constitution was special because it said that Kansas would be a state where slavery was not allowed. Slavery was a system where people were treated as property and forced to work without pay or freedom. This was a big deal at the time, as the country was divided over whether new states should allow slavery or not.

However, even though it banned slavery, the Wyandotte Constitution did not give everyone the right to vote. It did not allow African Americans, women, or Native Americans to vote. This shows that even important steps forward, like ending slavery, often still had limits on who had full rights.

The people of Kansas voted on this constitution. On October 4, 1859, 10,421 people voted for it, and 5,530 voted against it. This vote made the Wyandotte Constitution the official rulebook for Kansas.

What is a Constitution?

A constitution is like a master plan or a set of rules for how a government will run. It sets up the different parts of the government, like the people who make laws and the people who make sure laws are followed. It also lists the basic rights and freedoms that all citizens have.

Why Do States Have Constitutions?

Every state in the U.S. has its own constitution. These state constitutions work with the main U.S. Constitution. They help decide how the state government will serve its people. They also make sure that the state's laws follow the bigger rules of the country.

Kansas and the Slavery Debate

In the 1850s, the United States was deeply divided over slavery. As new territories wanted to become states, there were big arguments about whether they would allow slavery or not. Kansas became a central part of this fight.

"Bleeding Kansas"

Before the Wyandotte Constitution, Kansas had a very difficult time. People who supported slavery and people who were against it moved to Kansas. They often fought, sometimes violently, over the future of the state. This period was known as "Bleeding Kansas" because of the bloodshed. The Wyandotte Constitution was an attempt to bring peace and decide Kansas's future as a free state.

Who Could Not Vote?

While the Wyandotte Constitution made Kansas a free state, it was not perfect. It did not give all adults the right to vote.

• African Americans: Even though slavery was banned, African American men and women were not allowed to vote. It would take many more years and struggles for them to gain this right.
• Women: Women of all races were also excluded from voting. The fight for women's suffrage (the right to vote) would continue for decades across the country.
• Native Americans: Indigenous people living in Kansas were also denied the right to vote. Their rights were often ignored during this period of history.

The Fight for Voting Rights

The Wyandotte Constitution shows that the idea of "all people are created equal" was still developing. Over time, many brave people worked to change these rules. They fought for the right to vote for all citizens, no matter their race or gender.

When Was It Passed?

The Wyandotte Constitution was approved by voters on October 4, 1859. This was an important date for Kansas. It meant that when Kansas officially became a state in 1861, it would join the Union as a free state. This decision had a big impact on the history of Kansas and the United States.