When Kentucky separated from Virginia and joined the Union in 1792, it retained the designation as a commonwealth.

Massachusetts and Pennsylvania also chose the term 'commonwealth' for their constitutions in 1776. The first Virginia Constitution said: 2Ĭommissions and Grants shall run, In the Name of the Common Wealth of Virginia. Under the 1776 Constitution of Virginia, the legislature chose the governor for a one-year term and no governor could serve more than three consecutive terms. The Fifth Virginia Convention embraced the idea of political authority being based on the consent of the governed, who were represented by the House of Delegates and State Senate.

Distrust of executive authority, after rejecting the concept of a hereditary monarch, was fundamental. They wanted to replace the old form of colonial government with a structure that reflected their rationale for separating from England.

Mason and his fellow delegates at the Fifth Virginia Convention had to adopt a form of government for Virginia, after declaring independence from King George III and the Parliament based in London. As used by Locke, the term 'commonwealth' indicated that the legislature, elected by the people, was the dominant force in government. The delegates endorsed the perspective of John Locke, as expressed in his Second Treatise on Government. Virginia became one of the 'united' states when the Constitution was ratified in 1788.ĭelegates to the Fifth Virginia Convention considered proposals from George Mason IV, Thomas Jefferson, and others before adopting Virginia's first constitution on June 29, 1776. Since 1776, Virginia has been a 'commonwealth.' It associated with other colonies through a Continental Congress starting in 1775, and became part of a confederation with other former colonies in 1781. Source: Library of Virginia, First Virginia Constitution, June 29, 1776 Since it declared independence from England in 1776, Virginia has been officially a 'commonwealth' What Is the Significance of Virginia Being a 'Commonwealth'? What Is the Significance of Virginia Being a 'Commonwealth'?

What is the purpose of the commonwealth