| Media Type: | Constitution |
| Date Ratified: | April 4, 1881 |
| Date Effective: | April 27, 1881 |
| Date Repeal: | April 9, 1891 |
| Document Name: | Constitution of the United States of Venezuela of 1881 |
The Constitution of Venezuela of 1881 was sanctioned by the Congress on April 4, 1881 and promulgated by Antonio Guzmán Blanco on April 27 of the same year.[1] It reduced the 20 states of the Federation to 9 and created the Great Federal Council, in charge of electing the President. The National Congress appointed the members of this council every 4 years, composed of one from each state; and the council appointed the president from its own body every two years, declared the song "Gloria al Bravo Pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People) as the national anthem, created the Ministry of Public Instruction, and recognized the Court of Cassation as the Supreme Court of the States.
| Former State(s) | New State[2] | |
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona, Cumaná and Maturín | State of Oriente | |
| Guzmán Blanco, Guárico and Nueva Esparta | Guzmán Blanco State | |
| Carabobo and Nirgua | Carabobo State | |
| Portuguesa, Cojedes and Zamora | Zamora State | |
| Barquisimeto, and Yaracuy | Lara State | |
| Guzmán Blanco, Trujillo and Táchira | Los Andes State | |
| Guayana and Apure | Bolívar State | |
| Sovereign State of Zulia | ||
| Falcón State | ||