The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of. Example pennsylvania state constitution of 1776 2008. 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. 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. 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. Records of the department of state, basic documents. This edition is taken from the pennsylvania state archives.
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. For its time it was a progressive and democratic instrument of government. On june 15, 1776, at the urging of patriot leader thomas mckean the. The question that is explored in this thesis is the formation of democratic government in colonial pennsylvania and postcolonial pennsylvania. The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america. Declaration of independence and constitution of the united. It is a snapshot of the website with minor modifications as it appeared on august 26, 2015. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of pennsylvania. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1968.
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. This constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, one that had been brewing for months. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first constitution following the declaration of independence, and has been described as. 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. 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. 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. The united states constitution has served as the supreme law of the united states since taking effect in 1789. History of the united states constitution wikipedia. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 available via the duquesne university school of law pa constitution site. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 beer and trembling. Whereas all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776. The current constitution entered into force in 1968, and has been amended numerous times the constitution may only be amended if a. The methodology used in this historical examination of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776, its overturn and subsequent.
The constitution of the united states defined and carefully annotated. The constitution of the united states of america 1776 in. 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. Thomas young, george bryan, james cannon, and benjamin franklin. Constitution of the united states legislative reference bureau includes the text of and index to the 1968, 1874, 1838, 1790, and 1776 pennsylvania constitutions.
It was passed by constitutional convention of the 28th day of september, 1776. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription. Since 1776, pennsylvanias constitution has undergone five versions. The influences of pennsylvanias 1776 constitution on.
Pennsylvania constitution 1776 pdf constitution of pennsylvania september 28, 1776 1. 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. The constitution, or system of government, agreed to and resolved upon by the representatives in full convention of the delaware state, formerly styled the. The pennsylvania constitution, written by benjamin franklin, was the heart of a popular revolt. Home statutes of pennsylvania consolidated statutes the constitution of pennsylvania the constitution of pennsylvania text size. Constitution was the second most important because it embodied the strongest alternative.
Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania article. The constitution of pennsylvania is the supreme law within the commonwealth of pennsylvania. Virginia signed its first constitution in 1776 upon the signing of the declaration of independence. The constitution was initially about 8,800 words long. The document was written at the 1787 philadelphia convention and was ratified through a series of state conventions held in 1787 and 1788. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 flashcards quizlet. Pennsylvanias constitution of 1776 flashcards quizlet. 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. Delaware constitution of 1776 project gutenberg self. Maryland constitution maryland state archives maryland.
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 pennsylvania constitution of 1776 book description. Our current constitution is an amended version of the 1971 constitution. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 legal definition of. 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. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted a new constitution that has been described as the most democratic in america. 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. Pennsylvanias constitution of 1776 study guide by gordode20 includes 5 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more. 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. In this respect it differed markedly from the proposed constitution of 1866. As the worlds longest surviving written charter of government, the.
This quiz and corresponding worksheet gauge your understanding of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. C onstitution of pennsylvania 1776 state constitutions. 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. Since 1789, the constitution has been amended twentyseven times. It was drafted by robert whitehill, timothy matlack, dr. 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. The several amendments added to it between 1792 and 1846 brought its total length to about 15,200 words. 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 constitution was intended to be a temporary fundamental law. 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. How the charter of 1701 in colonial pennsylvania laid the basis for the development of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of. 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. 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.
Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 phmc our documentary. Email webmaster contact senator contact representative. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776, declaration of rights. 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.
The 1776 pennsylvania constitution was the first in a series of constitutions that helped frame our modern government. The constitution of 1868 was an amalgam of provisions copied or. This is a static, archived version of the phmc our documentary heritage website which will not be updated. This document is considered by some historians to be the most democratic legislation to emerge from revolutionary america. Hampshires provincial congress adopted the first state constitution.
Since that time, there have been frequent amendments and six major revisions to the constitution. Causes and effects of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. 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. 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. 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. That all men have a natural and unalienable right to worship almighty god according to the dictates of their own consciences and understanding. 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. Pennsylvania state constitution of 1776 tax history.
The constitution of north carolina citizens in charge. It was not submitted to the people but was proclaimed september 21, 1776. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. All acts of the general assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. At the time of the revolutionary war, the first constitution was adopted by the ninth provincial convention, meeting at annapolis, in november 1776. 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. Action of second continental congress, july 4, 1776. Pennsylvanias innovative and highly democratic government structure. The constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 was the supreme law of the commonwealth of pennsylvania. 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. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted its first constitution which has been described as the most democratic in america.
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