ALABAMA’S STATE CONSTITIUTION Power point presentation Coxwell Civics

SOME FAST FACTS ABOUT ALABAMA… Nickname: Yellowhammer or “The Heart of Dixie.” Bird: Yellowhammer (1927) Motto: We Dare Maintain Our Rights (1939)

SOME FAST FACTS ABOUT ALABAMA… Song: “Alabama” Written by Julia S. Tutwiler, Composed by Edna Gockel Gussen (1933) Flower: Camelia Rock: Marble Tree: Longleaf Pine (1997)

SOME FAST FACTS ABOUT ALABAMA… Freshwater fish: Largemouth bass (1975) Salt water fish: (fighting) Tarpon (1955) Nut: Pecan (1982) Flag: Crimson Cross of St. Andrew/White field (1895) Insect: Monarch Butterfly (1989)

SOME FAST FACTS ABOUT ALABAMA… Reptile: Alabama Red- bellied turtle. (1990) Horse: Racking Horse (1975) Shell: Scaphella Junonia Johnstoneae (1990)

MORE FACTS ABOUT ALABAMA… Admission to statehood: December 14, Residents Called: Alabamians Postal Code: AL Governor: Bob Riley (R) Highest Point: Cheaha Mountain: 2,407 feet. Origin of Name: Named for the Alabama River, which in turn was named for an Indian tribe. Number of Counties: 67.

ALABAMA’S STATE CONSTITUTION… Many states have had several constitutions. Alabama has had six. You can trace Alabama’s history throughout these constitutions. The first three constitutions were not ratified by a vote of the people. Instead they went into effect once the basic framework of each was accepted by the State Constitutional convention that wrote it.

The Constitution of 1819 The Constitution of 1819 was the first constitution for Alabama. It spelled out the legislative framework which allowed Alabama to become a state in the Union.

The Constitution of 1861… The Constitution of 1861 was created as a result of the “Secession Convention.” It included a resolution for Alabama to leave the Union, and called for forming a new government of the seceding states. It was approved without the vote of the people. This divided Alabama. Delegates from the northern and southern parts of Alabama did not agree upon the idea of secession from the Union.

The Constitution of 1865… This Constitution included the President’s Amnesty Proclamation, which pardoned participants in the Confederacy. This allowed Alabama to rejoin the Union. The President also appointed a provisional governor in order to establish a legislature that would once again be loyal to the national government.

The Constitution of 1868… The Constitution of 1868 was written to further aid in Reconstruction. (there was a persistent fear that the South might rebel again.) It was not ratified by vote but it was put into operation by the U.S. Congress. This constitution gave African American men the right to vote.

The Constitution of 1875… The Constitution of 1875 came about after military occupation of Alabama had ended. This constitution gave Alabama the opportunity to avoid further federal intervention, along with giving the governor the right to offer amendments to laws. It abolished the office of Lt. Governor.

The Constitution of 1901… The Constitution of 1901 used the 1875 constitution as a foundation. It was written with the idea to take away the right to vote from African American men and some poor white men. It was drafted in a way that would not contradict with the 15 th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This constitution severely limited self- government. The legislature was further weakened as it limited to holding regular secessions once every four years.

The Constitution of 1901… Amendments to this constitution started soon after it was ratified. In 1915 there was a proposal to write a new constitution. Like the U.S. Constitution the Alabama constitution has been changed by the Amendment process. This has made Alabama’s Constitution the longest in the Country. The Alabama Constitution has over 700 amendment.

COMMISION ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM Alabama Citizens’ Commission on Constitutional Reform submitted recommendations for reform to Gov. Riley in Gov. Riley named a reform committee that is dedicated to planning the constitutional reform process.