Name four important changes made in the second South Carolina constitution.
1) The second South Carolina constitution, adopted in 1778, abolished the office of governor and instead established a four-member executive council to govern the state. This change was made to prevent any individual from wielding too much power and to ensure a system of checks and balances.
2) The second constitution also expanded the rights of citizens in South Carolina. It included a bill of rights that protected freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly, as well as the right to petition the government. These rights were seen as essential to maintaining a democratic society.
3) The constitution also expanded the franchise by removing property qualifications for voting, allowing all white males who paid taxes to participate in elections. This change aimed to increase political participation and reduce the influence of the elite class in South Carolina.
4) The second constitution introduced significant changes to the legislative branch, establishing a bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. This structure was designed to ensure a balance of power between smaller and larger population centers, with the Senate representing the interests of each county equally and the House representing the population more proportionally.