Civics Inquiry
What do the debates at Washington’s 1889 Constitutional Convention reveal about the priorities and divisions of the new state?
Introduction
When Washington prepared to become a state in 1889, delegates from across the territory met in Olympia to write a constitution, but they didn’t all agree on what kind of government Washington should have. They argued about who should vote, who should hold power, how land and resources should be managed, and what role schools and taxes should play in shaping the future. In this inquiry, students examine the heated debates over representation, women’s suffrage, railroads, prohibition, taxation, tide lands, and more. By analyzing excerpts from the convention and looking at what was included—or left out—of the final constitution, students explore how laws are shaped by compromise, conflict, and the values of the time.
