Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1968. June 29, 1776 any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal. The influences of pennsylvanias 1776 constitution on. This constitution was framed by a convention which met at annapolis august 14, 1776, and completed its labors november 11, 1776. For information on visiting the capitol complex, please visit. Since that time, there have been frequent amendments and six major revisions to the constitution. On june 15, 1776, at the urging of patriot leader thomas mckean the. Our current constitution is an amended version of the 1971 constitution. Home statutes of pennsylvania consolidated statutes the constitution of pennsylvania the constitution of pennsylvania text size.
This constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, one that had been brewing for months. Records of the department of state, basic documents. C onstitution of pennsylvania 1776 state constitutions. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of pennsylvania. Pennsylvania state constitution of 1776 tax history. The document was written at the 1787 philadelphia convention and was ratified through a series of state conventions held in 1787 and 1788. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776. Since 1789, the constitution has been amended twentyseven times.
Example pennsylvania state constitution of 1776 2008. Declaration of independence and constitution of the united. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first constitution following the declaration of independence, and has been described as. History of the united states constitution wikipedia. It was drafted by robert whitehill, timothy matlack, dr. The pennsylvania constitution, written by benjamin franklin, was the heart of a popular revolt. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first constitution following their declaration of independence and has been described as the most democratic in america. Virginia signed its first constitution in 1776 upon the signing of the declaration of independence. Whereas all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community as such, and to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and the other blessings which the author of existence has bestowed upon man. The united states constitution has served as the supreme law of the united states since taking effect in 1789. The constitution of the united states of america we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 phmc our documentary. This constitution was framed by a convention which assembled at new castle, august 27, 1776, in accordance with the recommendation of the continental congress that the people of the colonies should form independent state governments. Thomas young, george bryan, james cannon, and benjamin franklin. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of rights, the constitution proved to be controversial. Pennsylvanias innovative and highly democratic government structure. How the charter of 1701 in colonial pennsylvania laid the basis for the development of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. The question that is explored in this thesis is the formation of democratic government in colonial pennsylvania and postcolonial pennsylvania. Whereas all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the.
Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania article. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship almighty god according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding. Provides an account of the rebellion of the unprotected frontiersmen and the unfranchised artisans, who constituted twothirds of the population in pennsylvania, against the quaker property owners in their attempt to achieve a voice in the government and establish a liberal constitution in. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, as established by the general convention elected for that purpose, and held at philadelphia, july 15th, 1776, and continued by adjournment to september 28th, 1776 whereas all government ought to. In 1776 pennsylvania enacted its first state constitution in direct response to the declaration of independence and the instructions of the second continental congress to the colonies to reject british rule. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776, declaration of rights. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 book description. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 legal definition of. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted a new constitution that has been described as the most democratic in america. The constitution, or system of government, agreed to and resolved upon by the representatives in full convention of the delaware state, formerly styled the. A school or schools shall be established in each county by the legislature, for the convenient instruction of youth, with such salaries, to the masters paid by the public, as may enable them to instruct youth at low prices.
The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first constitution following the declaration of independence, and has been described as the most democratic in america. Constitution of maryland november 11, 1776 a declaration of rights, and the constitution and form of government agreed to by the delegates of maryland, in free and full convention assembled. It was not submitted to the people but was proclaimed september 21, 1776. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted its first constitution which has been described as the most democratic in america.
Pennsylvania constitution 1776 pdf constitution of pennsylvania september 28, 1776 1. Maryland constitution maryland state archives maryland. Delaware constitution of 1776 project gutenberg self. Pennsylvanias constitution of 1776 study guide by gordode20 includes 5 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. The constitution of north carolina citizens in charge. Constitution of the united states legislative reference bureau includes the text of and index to the 1968, 1874, 1838, 1790, and 1776 pennsylvania constitutions. The constitution was ratified at a special election held december 16, 1873, and went into effect january 1, 1874. Constitution as adopted by referendum of december 16, 1873, but were either added by various constitutional amendments or promulgated on june 11, 1974, p. At the time of the revolutionary war, the first constitution was adopted by the ninth provincial convention, meeting at annapolis, in november 1776.
The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 beer and trembling. The delaware constitution of 1776 was the first governing document for delaware state government and was in effect from its adoption in september 1776 until its replacement by the 1792 constitution background. We the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america. This document is considered by some historians to be the most democratic legislation to emerge from revolutionary america. The constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 was the supreme law of the commonwealth of pennsylvania. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription.
The federal and state constitutions colonial charters, and other organic laws of the states, territories, and colonies now or heretofore forming the united states of america. Action of second continental congress, july 4, 1776. This edition is taken from the pennsylvania state archives. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. As the worlds longest surviving written charter of government, the. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription the representatives of the free men of the same, and a president and council, in manner and form followingsect. Topics youll need to know to pass the quiz include the documents writers and how it.
The current constitution entered into force in 1968, and has been amended numerous times the constitution may only be amended if a. In this respect it differed markedly from the proposed constitution of 1866. The commonwealth or state of pennsylvania shall be governed hereafter by an assembly of the representatives of the freemen of the same, and a president and council, in manner and form following. Although the extralegal convention that framed the document exercised full powers of government and remained in session as the legislature, the constitution was.
It was passed by constitutional convention of the 28th day of september, 1776. Hampshires provincial congress adopted the first state constitution. This constitution was intended to be a temporary fundamental law. Causes and effects of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. The point of this article is not to list all of the narrowly defeated proposals that one or another editor might find noteworthy, the point of the article is to give the background for and text of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776.
Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 flashcards quizlet. On june 15, 1776, at the urging of patriot leader thomas mckean the general assembly suspended government under the crown, effectively ending the proprietary government in the lower counties, as delaware was then known. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 august 16, 1776pennsylvanias shortlived first constitution, superseded in 1790, is notable because it was the most unorthodox and democratic of the constitutions of the original states. The constitution of 1868 was an amalgam of provisions copied or. Constitution was the second most important because it embodied the strongest alternative. The several amendments added to it between 1792 and 1846 brought its total length to about 15,200 words. The 1776 constitution was amended 66 times, most notably in 1837, to, among other things, provide for a popularly elected governor, instead of one chosen by the legislature. Email webmaster contact senator contact representative. When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of natures god entitle them, a decent respect to. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of. After the passage of the united states declaration of independence, the general assembly met in july 1776 and enacted legislation calling for the august. For its time it was a progressive and democratic instrument of government.
That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, amongst which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and. All acts of the general assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. The 1776 pennsylvania constitution was the first in a series of constitutions that helped frame our modern government. The constitution was initially about 8,800 words long. The constitution of 1874 was adopted november 3, 1873, by a constitutional convention which was called pursuant to the act of april 11, 1872 p. This is a static, archived version of the phmc our documentary heritage website which will not be updated. This quiz and corresponding worksheet gauge your understanding of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. Since 1776, pennsylvanias constitution has undergone five versions. The methodology used in this historical examination of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776, its overturn and subsequent. And that no man ought or of right can be compelled to attend any religious worship, or erect or support any place of worship, or. The constitution of pennsylvania pa general assembly. The constitution of the united states of america 1776 in. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 available via the duquesne university school of law pa constitution site. Pennsylvanias constitution of 1776 flashcards quizlet.
That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain natural, inherent and inalienable rights, amongst which are, the enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety. From a curious substitution the pennsylvania constitution of 1776 a declaration of the rights of the inhabitants of the commonwealth or state of pennsylvania i. The constitution of pennsylvania is the supreme law within the commonwealth of pennsylvania. The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america. It is a snapshot of the website with minor modifications as it appeared on august 26, 2015. On the one hand, this constitution, and the political arguments.