Focus Question: What is the historical importance of the Massachusetts Constitution, who was it primary author, and what basic rights does it guarantee citizens?

  Link here for resources on Massachusetts in the American Revolution

Written by John Adams in 1780, the Massachusetts Constitution is the oldest still-functioning written constitution in the world.

Its first section contains 30 fundamental rights which was used as a model for the Bill of Rights.

It was used in a 1781 court case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley to make slavery unconstitutional in the state.

 Read the entire state Constitution here

Guide to the Massachusetts State Constitution

4 Things Worth Knowing about the Massachusetts Constitution

• Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641)

• Massachusetts Constitution of 1780

*The Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 is considered one of the key founding documents of American democracy. Largely credited to John Adams, the future second President, the Constitution served as a model for the federal Constitution.

*Contrary to other states constitutions at the time, the Massachusetts Constitution was broken up into section (a model replicated in the federal constitution).

*In Section I, the framers wrote “All men are born free and equal, and have certain natural, essential, and unalienable rights; among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing, and protecting property; in fine, that of seeking and obtaining their safety and happiness” This call for constitutional universality helped put an end to slavery in the Commonwealth. In the Brom and Brett vs. Ashley decision in 1781, a jury of Massachusetts citizens concluded that slavery was unconstitutional effectively ending slavery in the Commonwealth.

*In another fascinating feature, the Massachusetts Constitution allows the governor and the legislature to request an advisory opinion from the State Supreme Court (to interpret the constitutionality of a given topic/article).

• The Massachusetts Constitution was structured around a two house system. The House of Representatives were representative of the towns and the Senate was representative of the counties.

*It also had clear definitions of what constituted a voter. Adult males who owned property valued at a minimum of 60 pounds were eligible to vote.

*Currently, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is the only one of the original states to retain its first constitution. 

State Constitutions vs. The United States Constitution

Gravestone for Mum Bett (Elizabeth Freeman) in Stockbridge, Massachusetts

The Constitution and Slavery

Massachusetts Constitution and the Abolition of Slavery

Amendments to the Constitution

The Massachusetts State Constitution has been amended 120 times.

State Constitutions and Environmental Bills of Rights

• In 1972, Massachusetts voters placed into their constitution an environmental rights provision. 

New Bill Proposed to Change the Language of the Massachusetts Constitution 

John Adams by Gilbert Stuart, 1822

John Adams

Click here to read more about John Adams and the Massachusetts Constitution.

To watch a short video on the importance and history of the Massachusetts Constitution click here.

Click here to watch a video on ratification of the state constitution

Link here for more on the Presidency of John Adams

Teaching Resources

Comparing State and Federal Constitutions, American Bar Association