Californians Create a Flawed Constitution
Californians Create a Flawed Constitution refers to the 1879 state constitution that California citizens wrote to fight corruption and limit the power of big companies like the railroads, while also including unjust discriminatory laws against Chinese immigrants. This Grade 4 history topic from California myWorld Interactive helps fourth graders understand how early California tried to make government fairer for farmers and citizens, but the new constitution also banned companies and the state from hiring Chinese workers, creating great hardship for Chinese immigrants. Students learn important vocabulary like state constitution and discriminatory while exploring this complex chapter in California's expansion period and examining how laws can have both positive and negative effects on different groups of people.
Key Concepts
To fight corruption, Californians wrote a new state constitution in 1879. This new set of laws tried to limit the power of big companies, like the railroads. It aimed to make government fairer for farmers and other citizens.
But the constitution also included new, unjust rules. These discriminatory laws specifically targeted Chinese immigrants. The laws banned companies and the state from hiring Chinese workers, which created great hardship for them.
Common Questions
Why did Californians write a new state constitution in 1879?
Californians wrote a new state constitution in 1879 to fight corruption and limit the power of big companies, especially the railroads. The constitution aimed to make government fairer for farmers and other citizens.
What is a state constitution?
A state constitution is a set of laws that governs how a state operates. California's 1879 constitution established rules about government power and the rights of citizens and businesses.
How did the 1879 California Constitution affect Chinese immigrants?
The 1879 California Constitution included discriminatory laws that specifically targeted Chinese immigrants. These laws banned companies and the state from hiring Chinese workers, which created great hardship for them.
What does discriminatory mean in Grade 4 California history?
Discriminatory means treating certain groups of people unfairly compared to others. The 1879 California Constitution had discriminatory rules that unfairly targeted Chinese immigrants and limited their ability to work.
Why was the 1879 California Constitution considered flawed?
The constitution was considered flawed because while it tried to help farmers by limiting railroad power, it also included unjust rules that banned Chinese immigrants from being hired, treating them unfairly.
What companies did the 1879 constitution try to limit?
The 1879 California Constitution tried to limit the power of big companies, especially the railroads, which had become very powerful and were seen as corrupt.