What Role Did Virginia Constitution Play In American History

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Virginia was one of the most influential of the thirteen colonies. They were home to the first permanent English settlement in North America, the iconic Jamestown. Furthermore, they were home to the first colonial legislature, the Virginia House of Burgesses. This, along with many other firsts, made Virginia a key player in any discussion, including the Constitutional Convention. Understanding Virginia and its constitution is essential to understanding both American history and current events. Virginia was the first of the thirteen colonies, and it set an example for the other twelve. A central part of their government was the Virginia House of Burgesses, a legislature established in 1619 to motivate the English to emigrate to Virginia. The success of the self-representation within Virginia helped form a federal legislative branch. Under the Articles of Confederation, the legislature was unicameral. However, the legislative branch became bicameral after the Constitutional Convention, just like the Virginia General Assembly had been since 1643. Virginia was a …show more content…
This section is about freedom of religion, yet, it states “it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity towards each other.” Even though the values are universal, it is odd that Virginia singles out the specific Christian beliefs. This single line can be interpreted as requiring everyone to hold Christian beliefs, which is an odd choice for a state that pioneered religious freedom in America. This law is outdated, but will likely stay in place because it would be impossible to win a lawsuit over it. A lawsuit would only succeed if the individual could prove it directly harms them, and suggesting that everyone should follow general values that seem to apply to everyone harms you is a mighty task. Despite this excerpt being out of place, it shows Virginia’s deeply rooted history related to
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