Arizona Statehood and Constitution "I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which
American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend
It against all enemies." Tyler, W (1918) -- The American's Creed. The Spanish Period, Arizona is the youngest of all the states, and the last of the 48 states to be admitted to the Statehood in 1912. Arizona’s history goes back hundreds of years. In 1535, the Spanish explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, with three companions, found their way to Arizona; where Cabeza de Vaca was perhaps the first European explorer to enter Arizona territory. Arizona history states that, “His report led to further explorations of the region. The Spaniards heard stories about the great wealth of the Seven Cities of Cibola. They grew eager to find this treasure”. In the 1600s Antonio de Espejo and Juan de Onate found minerals that would make Arizona rich and increase Spanish interest in the territory. In 1752 the Spanish established the first white settlement. The Arizona history states that “the 18th century was a period of battles between the Spanish and native Indians. Little progress was made developing Arizona during these year”. The Mexican Period; In 1821 Mexicans revolted against the Spanish this lead to Arizona becoming an Mexican territory. History of Arizona states; “this was the time of the mountain men from the United States, Arizona began to develop ties to the United States”. In 1846 President James Polk - incited war with Mexico this would be the beginning of Arizona becoming the forty-eight state. 1848 the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo stretched the area from Texas to California and no longer a part of Mexico but was added to the United States. This area was then named New Mexico which included most of Arizona. In 1853 the rest of Arizona became a part of United States with copper being discovered in1854. The U.S.Controlled Period; the United States extended its territory through the Arizona territory with the California seaport becoming a very important travel route along with the discovery of gold. In 1857 the first stagecoach line comes to Arizona and according to Arizona history “James Gadsden negotiated with Mexico the purchase of the region between the Gila river in Mexico the Southern Pacific became the first railroad to reach Arizona 1877. A few years between the purchase of Gadsden and the eruption of War the States, settlers started moving into southern Arizona for which they came looking for gold and silver. Arizona continued to grow with Forts that were established and stage lines that went between them. In 1862 the Confederate Congress recognized Arizona as a separate territory. A skirmish at Pikachu Peak on April 15, 1862, the westernmost battle of the Civil War Union forces occupied Tucson ending Confederate rule.
Territorial Period; Efforts continued to create a separate Territory of Arizona. The demand was opposed by arguing that the area was unimportant as a final point, the United States Congress created a Territory of Arizona; The Organic Act was passed in 1863, and President Abraham Lincoln signed into law. The president appointed as Governor John N. Goodwin of Maine, Governor Goodwin’s party left Washington. December 27, 1863, stopped two days later at a place called Navajo Springs. Arizona History States that “. There they conducted the ceremony that formally established the Territory of Arizona. The provisional seat of the territorial government was established at Fort Whipple, but it was moved in May 1864 some 20 miles south to a little mining community named Prescott. The census taken in 1864 showed that Arizona had a population of 4,573 (excluding Indian residents), with most of the people still located in the southern part of the territory. Under Richard C. McCormick, the capital was moved to Tucson in 1867 and remained there until 1877. Then it was shifted back to Prescott and, finally in 1889 a permanent capital was set up in Phoenix.” Throughout this era, mining thrived, although trivial amounts of gold and silver were discovered, copper became the source of Arizona's financial prosperity, in the 1870s, ranching became another important source of revenue in the territory. In the 1880s, the railroads finally arrived, and life in Arizona changed drastically by the transportation of the region's mineral resources and cattle that were finally accessible to the east. In 1880, 101 public schools were open and in 1889 a permanent capital was set up in Phoenix.

Part II: Arizona Constitution
The Legislative Branch The Executive Branch The Judicial Branch
The legislative is lawmaking branch of the Arizona state government includes the Senate and House of Representatives. Executive officers are directly voted into office by receiving the highest number of votes from the voting citizens of the state. The judicial branch oversees the court system of the U.S. Through court cases.
Legislature's power to amend initiative or referendum. The executive department shall consist of the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction, each of whom shall hold office for four years. The Supreme Court is the head of the judicial branch.
Legislature's power to appropriate or divert funds created by initiative or referendum. The governor shall be commander-in-chief of the military forces of the state, The Supreme Court rule whether something is constitutional or unconstitutional, whether or not it is permitted under the Constitution.

The Legislative branch is comprised of the State's two principal law making bodies, the Arizona Senate and the Arizona House of Representatives, as well as the Office of the Auditor General, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and Legislative Council. The Executive branch is comprised approximately 130 agencies, departments, authorities, boards, commissions, councils, administrations, registrars, offices, and institutions. These organizations involve themselves with carrying out the law and performing the day-to-day business of State government. The Judicial branch is comprised of the Arizona Supreme Court, the Arizona Court of Appeals and the Superior Court augmented by the counties' Justice of the Peace Courts and the municipalities' Municipal Courts. Courts resolve legal disputes, manage trials and interpret the law.

Article 21 of the Arizona Constitution; “allows three methods of amending the Arizona Constitution. An initiative petition is signed by qualified electors equaling 15% of the total number of votes cast.
• Either chamber of the Arizona State Legislature is allowed to propose an amendment.
• A majority of members of both chambers must approve it; if they do,
• The proposed amendment goes on a statewide ballot for a popular vote of the people where if a simple majority approves it; it becomes part of the constitution.
• The Arizona Secretary of State is required to publish a copy of the proposed amendment in a newspaper in each of Arizona's 15 counties for a period of at least ninety days before the election.
• Proposed amendments must be voted on separately. The state legislature is allowed to call a special election for the purposes of voting on proposed amendments.
• If no special election is called, amendments are voted on in the next statewide general election.
• A constitutional convention may be called by a statewide vote of the people. In the absence of such a vote, the state legislature is not allowed to call a convention.