What Are The Conditions That Led To The Calling Of The Convention In 1849

In 1849, California was a territory of the United States, and its leaders were faced with the daunting task of drafting a state constitution that would guide its government once it was granted statehood. This led to the calling of the constitutional convention in Monterey, where delegates from across the territory came together to draft a new constitution. This essay will explore the conditions that led to the calling of the convention, examine the backgrounds of the delegates, look at the major issues at the convention and how they were resolved, and discuss the important characteristics of the government created by the 1849 convention.

There were many factors present when the Monterey constitutional conference was called in 1849. California saw a population explosion as a result of the huge influx of people that followed the finding of gold there in 1848. The newly arrived population created an urgent need for a stable government that could establish law and order. Moreover, the United States had taken control of California from Mexico in 1846, and the new territory needed a government that was compatible with the American system of democracy. As such, the governor of California, Peter Burnett, called for the convention to be held in Monterey in September 1849. According to the book Elusive Eden in chapter twelve, "Burnett

The delegates needed to create a government that would serve the interests of the diverse population of California, while at the same time, adhering to American democratic principles. The question of slavery was also a contentious issue at the convention, as some delegates from Southern states wanted to legalize slavery in California. Finally, the creation of a state constitution was a critical task for the delegates, as it would establish the legal framework for the new