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Defining a New California (continued) Click image to see larger view | ||
Constitution of California in English, RB 124
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Constitution of California in Spanish, RB 235208
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When California became an American territory in 1848, no one made provision for how it should be governed, and the people improvised. The senior military officer became governor. Many, however, opposed military rule in California. General Bennet Riley organized a convention in September 1849 to draft a constitution that would establish a civil government. The resulting document, completed in October 1849 and approved by popular vote the following month, recognized California’s Spanish and Mexican heritage by requiring important public documents to be printed in English and Spanish. "Every white male citizen of the United States, and every white male citizen of Mexico, who shall have elected to become a citizen of the United States…shall be entitled to vote…." Click here for an excerpt from the California constitution in English. | ||
 California 150
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