On January 7, 1868, the Mississippi Constitutional Convention convened in Jackson, Mississippi, as part of the Reconstruction efforts following the Civil War. This convention was significant because it marked a pivotal moment in the reformation of Southern states and the expansion of civil rights, particularly for newly emancipated African Americans.
Key Highlights:
- The convention was called under the Reconstruction Acts passed by Congress, which required Southern states to draft new constitutions guaranteeing Black men the right to vote in order to be readmitted to the Union.
- For the first time in Mississippi’s history, Black delegates participated in the constitutional process. Out of the 100 delegates, 17 were African American, many of whom were formerly enslaved and represented the hopes of a newly freed population.
- The 1868 Constitution:
- Granted universal male suffrage, regardless of race.
- Established a system of public education for all children.
- Included civil rights provisions aimed at protecting the rights of Black citizens.
- Despite its progressive nature, the new constitution faced backlash from white supremacists, and Mississippi’s road to full Reconstruction and racial equality remained turbulent.
This event marked a major milestone in Black political participation and the reimagining of Southern governance during Reconstruction.
