After America gained independence from Great Britain in 1776, states began to experiment with their newfound freedom by writing constitutions. The Virginia Constitution was adopted on June 29, 1776, followed by the Massachusetts Constitution on March 2, 1780. Both the Virginia and Massachusetts Constitutions contributed to the successor Constitution of the United States. The values ​​and concepts of both state constitutions can be seen in the United States Constitution. The significance of the Virginia Constitution is that it acted as a trailblazer for the Declaration of Independence. The beginning of the Virginia Constitution accused King George III of multiple wrongdoings against the American colonists. From taxation without representation to the burning of cities, George Mason and James Madison wrote the constitution to sever ties with Britain's mother country. The Virginia Constitution laid the foundation for all governmental activity by creating three distinct branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. From then on, the legislative branch consisted of two parts, the House of Delegates and the Senate. The Virginia General Assembly was created so that the two branches of the legislature meet at least once a year. The House of Delegates consisted of two representatives from each county and district of West-Augusta, sent annually. A representative was to be sent from the town of Williamsburgh, Norfolk and any future town. However, if during the next seven years a Virginia county receives less than half the number of electors, that county will not send a representative to the Assembly. The Senate consisted of twenty-four members who resided in the district and...... middle of paper ...... The Massachusetts Constitutions contributed to the development of the federal constitution. The main difference between the federal and state constitutions is the listing of a president and vice president and the requirements for senatorial and representative offices. Works Cited “Constitution of Massachusetts (March 2, 1780).” Pearson. Pearson Education. Internet. February 13, 2014. “The Constitution and Bill of Rights of the United States.” Pearson. Pearson Education. Internet. February 13, 2014. "Constitution of Virginia, excluding the Bill of Rights (June 29, 1776)." Pearson. Pearson Education. Internet. February 13 2014. .