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The Massachusetts Constitution was the last of the first set of the state constitutions to be written. Consequently, it was more sophisticated than many of the other documents. Among the improvements was the structure of the document itself: instead of just a listing of provisions, it had a structure of chapters, sections, and articles. This structure was replicated by the US Constitution. It also had substantial influence on the subsequent revisions of many of the other state constitutions. The Massachusetts Constitution has four parts: a preamble, a declaration of rights, a description of the framework of government, and articles of amendment. PREAMBLE The preamble of the constitution bears some resemblance to the United States Constitution's in a few phrases near the end. It is as follows:
PART THE FIRST: A DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS This part consists of thirty articles, the first of which states: This article was later amended to substitute the word "people" for the word "men". PART THE SECOND: THE FRAME OF GOVERNMENT This part begins thus: ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT As of 2003, there are 120 Articles of Amendment. REFERENCES
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