Nevada's Constitution
Nevada Constitution
Samantha Whittemore
HIS 311
June 5, 2013
Mr. Pizor
Nevada Constitution
Nevada is a state in the western; mostly desert, with much of it located within the Great Basin. It was originally claimed by Spain, until the Mexican War of Independence, which brought it under Mexican control. Nevada and Utah were once one territory until March 2, 1861, when Nevada became its own territory.
Nevada was a federal territory and a part of the union. President Abraham Lincoln selected a governor James W. Nye, a former New York City police commissioner, to ensure Nevada remained a part of the union. The federal government bought most of Nevada’s silver and gold to support its currency. Nevada’s creation as a territory, by the U.S. congress, ensured that its riches would help the union. Years later, in March 1864, the congress approved an enabling act for Nevada. This was at the same time the civil war was winding down; winning victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. President Lincoln issued a proclamation of reconstruction and sought reelection.
The constitutional convention met in Carson City on July 4, 1864. The union needed another state to support President Lincoln, to prove to the confederacy that the union was strong. Another plus, if Nevada were a state, it would ratify the proposed 13th amendment terminating slavery. Meeting September that same year, the constitution was approved by the vote of the Nevada people.
The Nevada constitution has had several key provisions. The first prefix provision is preliminary action, which requires the state to have a constitutional convention. The second prefix provision is ordinance, which declares prohibition on slavery, religious freedom, and declaring the public lands to be property of the United States. The document has nineteen articles; a few being the declaration of rights, taxation, and the branches of government. Following the articles is the suffix provision, which specified how the election for
Samantha Whittemore
HIS 311
June 5, 2013
Mr. Pizor
Nevada Constitution
Nevada is a state in the western; mostly desert, with much of it located within the Great Basin. It was originally claimed by Spain, until the Mexican War of Independence, which brought it under Mexican control. Nevada and Utah were once one territory until March 2, 1861, when Nevada became its own territory.
Nevada was a federal territory and a part of the union. President Abraham Lincoln selected a governor James W. Nye, a former New York City police commissioner, to ensure Nevada remained a part of the union. The federal government bought most of Nevada’s silver and gold to support its currency. Nevada’s creation as a territory, by the U.S. congress, ensured that its riches would help the union. Years later, in March 1864, the congress approved an enabling act for Nevada. This was at the same time the civil war was winding down; winning victories at Gettysburg and Vicksburg. President Lincoln issued a proclamation of reconstruction and sought reelection.
The constitutional convention met in Carson City on July 4, 1864. The union needed another state to support President Lincoln, to prove to the confederacy that the union was strong. Another plus, if Nevada were a state, it would ratify the proposed 13th amendment terminating slavery. Meeting September that same year, the constitution was approved by the vote of the Nevada people.
The Nevada constitution has had several key provisions. The first prefix provision is preliminary action, which requires the state to have a constitutional convention. The second prefix provision is ordinance, which declares prohibition on slavery, religious freedom, and declaring the public lands to be property of the United States. The document has nineteen articles; a few being the declaration of rights, taxation, and the branches of government. Following the articles is the suffix provision, which specified how the election for