With peace restored, Governor Blount moved ahead with plans to create a state.

First, a census taken in 1795 showed that Tennessee's population had grown to 77,262 which more than met the federal statehood requirement of 60,000 citizens.

The next step in the statehood process was a vote by the citizens. Most citizens supported statehood which was easily approved by a vote of 6, 504 to 2, 562.

Blount then called for a constitutional convention to meet in Knoxville, where delegates from all the counties drew up a model state constitution and democratic bill of rights.

The Tennessee Constitution borrowed from the United States Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution.

The constitution allowed free males 21 or older who owned land to vote without regard for race.

Therefore, both white and free black men who met the requirements could vote.

The voters chose John Sevier as governor.

Tennessee leaders converted the territory into a state before asking Congress for approval.

Since the Southwest Territory was the first Federal territory to apply for statehood, Congress was uncertain how to proceed.

Members of the Federalist party opposed statehood for Tennessee because they assumed voters in Tennessee would support their opponents, the Democratic-Republicans.

Finally, Congress approved the admission of Tennessee as the sixteenth state of the Union on June 1, 1796.

Knoxville was the first state capital.