Statehood and Constitution
California was able to attain statehood quickly because of the high immigration rates, and the constitution was very lenient, and reflected the mix of cultures and backgrounds of those living in California.
-The Northwest Ordinance, which states the requirements for a territory to become a state, requires 60,000 residents to achieve statehood
-On September 9, 1850, little more than two years after gold was first discovered at Sutter's Mill, California became a state
-The Original Constitution for the State of California was drafted in 1849
-It largely mirrored the U.S. constitution, and distributed governmental powers among Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments
-It allowed "free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference," and had extremely lenient terms on freedom of speech and expression
-It also stated, "Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in this State." With this, California effectively banned slavery a full sixteen years before it was made nationally illegal
-Additionally, in reflection of its large foreign population, California's Constitution declared that, "Foreigners who are, or who may hereafter become bona fide residents of this State, shall enjoy the same rights in respect to possession, enjoyment, and inheritance of property, as native born citizens." It also included the statement that, "All laws, decrees, regulations, and provisions, which from their nature require publication, shall be published in English and Spanish."
-The Northwest Ordinance, which states the requirements for a territory to become a state, requires 60,000 residents to achieve statehood
-On September 9, 1850, little more than two years after gold was first discovered at Sutter's Mill, California became a state
-The Original Constitution for the State of California was drafted in 1849
-It largely mirrored the U.S. constitution, and distributed governmental powers among Executive, Legislative, and Judicial departments
-It allowed "free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference," and had extremely lenient terms on freedom of speech and expression
-It also stated, "Neither slavery, nor involuntary servitude, unless for the punishment of crimes, shall ever be tolerated in this State." With this, California effectively banned slavery a full sixteen years before it was made nationally illegal
-Additionally, in reflection of its large foreign population, California's Constitution declared that, "Foreigners who are, or who may hereafter become bona fide residents of this State, shall enjoy the same rights in respect to possession, enjoyment, and inheritance of property, as native born citizens." It also included the statement that, "All laws, decrees, regulations, and provisions, which from their nature require publication, shall be published in English and Spanish."