Rules for the government
A constitution describes a government’s powers, structure, and rights. Read the original words with support, then ask how their meaning has been debated.
Written in 1780. Changed through amendments.
Massachusetts adopted its constitution in 1780. John Adams was a major drafter. Its Declaration of Rights and Frame of Government are two important parts.
A summary helps us begin. The official text is the source to check. The words “equal” and “rights” raise questions about who could actually exercise those rights in different times.
Read the official Massachusetts Constitution ↗Meet John Adams →Declaration of Rights
This part describes rights and principles. Compare a right written in a document with the choices people had in daily life.
Investigate Elizabeth Freeman’s freedom suit →Frame of Government
This part describes government offices and powers. Ask how making, carrying out, and interpreting laws involve different branches.
Match a responsibility to a branch →Amendments
An amendment changes a constitution. Read the original passage and any relevant amendment together.
Explore the complete text and amendments ↗Grades 6–8: compare promise and practice
How did people use the Declaration of Rights to challenge slavery? Compare the legal arguments in the Quock Walker cases with Elizabeth Freeman’s story. Distinguish a document’s language, a court’s interpretation, and people’s lived experiences.
Investigate Quock Walker →Your document notebook
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Freeman, Walker, and freedom cases