Each month The California Museum will introduce a new artifact with accompanying information and questions, which will consist of three different difficulty levels to choose from. To be used as a sponge or opening activity, you can use the artifact of the month for your students to study, question and form ideas. You can also print the image and place it on each student’s desk, have them work in teams or project the image for a class activity.

Use the provided questions to help your students learn more about the artifact and its importance to California -- or make up your own questions. Most importantly, have fun!

Be sure to check out our web site, CaliforniaMuseum.org, for other interesting and unique activities for your students.

Artifact of the Month

T H E C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M • 1 0 2 0 O S T R E E T • S A C R A M E N T O , C A 9 5 8 1 4 • ( 9 1 6 ) 6 5 3 -7 5 2 4 • W W W. C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M . O R G

Dare to Make History

California State Constitution

The Constitution of the State of California is the document that establishes and describes the duties, powers, structure and function of the government of California. The original constitution was adopted in November 1849 before California could become a state in 1850. Drafted in just over a month by a diverse group of delegates, the 19-page Constitution of 1849 outlawed slavery, defined citizenship, secured women’s separate property rights, made California officially bilingual with English and Spanish languages, set the state’s boundaries and established a framework for government. It guided California for 30 years and even served as a model for Argentina’s Constitution. Among the signers of the 1849 Constitution were pioneer John Sutter, leader of Mexican California Mariano Vallejo, and Henry W. Halleck, who would rise to command all Union armies during the Civil War. Yet the task of forming this state’s Constitution was performed by men of almost every walk of life: fourteen lawyers, twelve ranchers, nine merchants, four military men, two printers, two surveyors, two of unknown professions, one banker, one physician, and one man “of elegant leisure.” The signers of the Constitution recognized the need for change and law and order in California. With our growth in population during the Gold Rush, the need for the establishment of rules became clear.

A copy of the original state Constitution is on display in the Museum. Notice the details associated with the writing of this document. The top is decorated with a banner of 31 stars symbolizing California’s desire to become the 31st state or the 31st star on the United States’ flag. The banner connects two scenes and two parts of California history: one of a Californio past way of life on the ranchos, another of shipping and opening up California to the rest of the world. This illustration connects California’s past with its future.

Artifact Information

T H E C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M • 1 0 2 0 O S T R E E T • S A C R A M E N T O , C A 9 5 8 1 4 • ( 9 1 6 ) 6 5 3 -7 5 2 4 • W W W. C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M . O R G

Dare to Make History California State Constitution

Elementary

1) What big event brought a lot of people to California, creating a need for a state Constitution?

2) On the original Constitution, a banner links a picture of the past (ranchos) with a picture of California’s future (ships). Draw a new picture to show what California’s future might look like if we made the Constitution today. Middle

1) Who were some other important signers of the original California state Constitution and what role did they play in our history?

2) How did the Gold Rush propel California to statehood?

High School

1) Research some recent changes to our California state Constitution. What was the process that a change must go through?

2) California’s first state Constitution addressed many important issues of the time. If we were writing the state Constitution today, what are some topics that might be included?

Artifact Questions

T H E C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M • 1 0 2 0 O S T R E E T • S A C R A M E N T O , C A 9 5 8 1 4 • ( 9 1 6 ) 6 5 3 -7 5 2 4 • W W W. C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M . O R G

Dare to Make History California State Constitution

Crossword Fun!

T H E C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M • 1 0 2 0 O S T R E E T • S A C R A M E N T O , C A 9 5 8 1 4 • ( 9 1 6 ) 6 5 3 -7 5 2 4 • W W W. C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M . O R G

Online Activity

T H E C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M • 1 0 2 0 O S T R E E T • S A C R A M E N T O , C A 9 5 8 1 4 • ( 9 1 6 ) 6 5 3 -7 5 2 4 • W W W. C A L I F O R N I A M U S E U M . O R G

Constitution Wall

Under the “Exhibits” portion of our website, students can explore our Constitution Wall public art piece. Pictures, images and information about the wall prepare a class for a visit to the Museum or provide a great opportunity for classes to learn more about our rights and our Constitution if they are unable to visit.

Towering six stories over the Museum’s courtyard, the public art piece “RIGHTS” inspires thought and comment. Sculpted into the massive wall are words taken from California’s Constitution and chosen for their enduring meaning. Depending on the angle of the light, different words leap forward. In the early morning or late afternoon, the giant word “RIGHTS,” the underlying theme of the piece, stands out, while at midday other “rights,” indicated by words such as “redress” and “assemble,” are more apparent. The words are punctuated by colors drawn from California’s own palette of forest, ocean, and desert hues. Because of metal oxides embedded in the surface, the colors change over time, ensuring that, like the Constitution itself, the Wall is constantly evolving.