The Oklahoma Constitution, adopted in 1907, notably did not include explicit measures of strict segregation, despite the widespread racial segregation prevalent in the United States during that era. Several factors contributed to this omission:
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Focus on Economic Development: The framers of the Oklahoma Constitution were keen on attracting settlers and investors to the newly admitted state. They believed that explicit racial segregation measures might deter potential residents and businesses.
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National Trend: While segregation was common in Southern states, the framers might have been influenced by the legal landscape at the time, which had not yet codified segregation to the extent seen in later Jim Crow laws. The Constitution was designed with an eye on becoming a progressive and modern state within the Union.
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Legal Ambiguities: The absence of direct language regarding segregation allowed for a certain level of interpretation and flexibility. This meant that segregation could still be practiced without being explicitly mandated by the Constitution, allowing for de facto rather than de jure segregation.
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Political Compromises: The political climate in Oklahoma was complex, with various factions, including those advocating for a more inclusive approach. To secure broader support for the new Constitution, avoiding explicit segregation might have been a strategic compromise.
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Federal Oversight and Legislation: At the time, the federal government had not yet imposed strict segregation laws, so there was less urgency for state-level constitutions to explicitly include such provisions.
The combination of these factors created an environment where the Oklahoma Constitution could promote both development aspirations and a sense of modernity without directly embedding strict segregation measures.
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