What makes va a commonwealth

These countries also share a common appreciation for friendly competition and participate every four years in a sporting event — much like the Olympics — called the Commonwealth Games. Hosted most recently in Australia in , athletes from these commonwealth countries come together to compete in sports like swimming and diving, table tennis, and gymnastics.

While the term commonwealth can be almost entirely dismissed as a remnant of political language from centuries ago, it is also a lasting reminder of the goals and ideals of politicians who shaped these nations — and a reminder of what those nations are still striving to achieve every day. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App.

Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Good Subscriber Account active since Shortcuts. Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. The Fifth Virginia Convention embraced the idea of political authority being based on the consent of the governed, who were represented by the House of Delegates and State Senate. Under the Constitution of Virginia, the legislature chose the governor for a one-year term and no governor could serve more than three consecutive terms.

The first Virginia Constitution said: 2. These individuals can do things such as vote to elect their leaders and vote on various issues facing their various communities.

The single state government is also responsible for providing them individual liberties outlined in the U. Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are two examples of these liberties. The state government also creates laws that help to govern how their state functions.

These laws deal with criminal matters, how law enforcement will police a community, and how organizations and individuals will conduct business within the state.

People in a commonwealth state are also organized under a state government for taxation, city planning functions, and establishing local neighborhoods.

City services, which provide people with functions such as trash removal, utility connections, and roads or public buildings, are also a part of a single organized state government. People who live in a commonwealth enjoy the benefits of living under a single state government. A governor and a lieutenant governor head a commonwealth state government. Both leaders ensure that the government throughout the state is being carried out within the boundaries of the law.

They also ensure that the people within their jurisdiction are being treated fairly, receiving public support when needed, and maintaining their rights as citizens of their state and country. All commonwealth states elect their leaders.

The election process is essential for commonwealths. This is the only way that people can acquire a leadership position within the state. Any person that wants to be involved within politics will have to run on a ticket to be elected for a position. This means they will have to sign paperwork that declares they are running for a particular office.

Elected officials will generally have a campaign staff that will help them to run for office. They will operate by specific rules for running for office. If a candidate is elected for office, they will govern themselves by the rules of that office. There are rules and laws in place that will control their conduct, clearly explaining the expectations for their position. The office of an elected official will be held until the next election for that position.

When you live in a commonwealth, you will have greater freedom to make and keep your wealth. Believe it or not, in some countries, a person cannot obtain wealth without someone taking it from them. Also, some people are never allowed to create great wealth for themselves. This is not the case if you live in a commonwealth. A commonwealth state will allow you to make as much or as little money as you can. Having the freedom to work in a job or to pursue a business endeavor is essential.

When a person has these advantages at their disposal, they will maximize their wealth potential. A commonwealth will allow a person to pursue wealth as long as they obey the law and work to obtain it ethically.

Entrepreneurs or people who live within a commonwealth can pursue their business ideas within a commonwealth. Having this type of freedom will help them to maximize their potential in pursuing wealth. Also, if they can afford to go to school, this will help them generate income over the long run. Commonwealths typically have strong laws in place that are used to govern all facets of society. Without these laws, people would make up their own rules. The laws within a commonwealth govern everything from education, residential property maintenance to sponsoring local events and how non-profits can help people give back to communities.

The laws are usually made within a commonwealth based on the people, their culture, and how they function and operate within their communities. The laws are also created in response to a certain type of crime prevalent within a commonwealth. They are also forged by the type of needs that people might have or issues that communities face within the state.

People within a commonwealth cannot make changes through force. Learn the history here. Four US states are technically designated as commonwealths: Pennsylvania admitted to the union December 12, , Massachusetts February 6, , Virginia June 25, , and Kentucky June 1, The first three were among the original 13 colonies Kentucky was part of Virginia until it became the 15th state.

All four use the word commonwealth in their official name: the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania , the Commonwealth of Massachusetts , the Commonwealth of Virginia , and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. After all, we usually say that the US has 50 states not 46 states and four commonwealths. So what does this mean in practical terms? What sets commonwealths apart from other states?

Other than the name, there really is no legal or governmental difference between states known as states and states known as commonwealths. In fact, the word state is also often used in such documents without any distinction. In addition, the states of Vermont and Delaware use both commonwealth and state in official documents. In general, all four are most commonly called states.