Morris of pennsylvania, james madison of virginia, and rufus king of. Many towns granted the requested authorization, but boston8 and several others refused to do so, and the general court did not at that time carry the matter further. 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. The legislature convenes in the state capitol building in harrisburg.
Download this resource for free constitution of pennsylvania august 16, 1776. Pdf downloads of all 1297 litcharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. All acts of the general assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. Causes and effects of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. The constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania. His speech on the constitution in the pennsylvania convention 465479. 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. We, the people of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, grateful to almighty god for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking his guidance, do ordain and establish this constitution. The pennsylvania constitution, written by benjamin franklin, was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, one that had been brewing for months.
Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 phmc our documentary. Pennsylvania constitutions search and seizure protection. 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 the united states legislative reference bureau includes the text of and index to the 1968, 1874, 1838, 1790, and 1776 pennsylvania constitutions. The adoption of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. This is a static, archived version of the phmc our documentary heritage website which will not be updated. Since 1776, pennsylvanias constitution has undergone five versions. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776. But in fact, it was a grim and troubling time for those americans that fought. In 1783, with the help of the french military, washingtons army will go on to defeat the british forces, ending the. Whereas all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the.
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. The pennsylvania general assembly is the legislature of the u. Second, the committee proposed to combine sections 4 and. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776, declaration of rights, art. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776, declaration of rights. Linebyline modern translations of every shakespeare play and poem. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 was principally written by james cannon, george bryan, and benjamin franklin. The methodology used in this historical examination of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776, its overturn and. 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. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The question that is explored in this thesis is the formation of democratic government in colonial pennsylvania and postcolonial pennsylvania. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 the pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first constitution following the. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first constitution following their declaration of independence and has been.
Pennsylvania constitution 1776 pdf constitution of pennsylvania september 28, 1776 1. This edition is taken from the pennsylvania state archives. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 legal definition of. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania article. Constitution of pennsylvania september 28, 1776 avalon project. Widely considered the most democratic constitution of its time, it granted all. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of. It was drafted by robert whitehill, timothy matlack, dr. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted its first constitution which has been described as the most democratic in america.
The revolution and constitution 1775 1789 the american revolution began on april 19, 1775 at lexington. The constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 was the supreme law of the commonwealth of pennsylvania. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of rights, the constitution. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of. Since the constitution of 1776, the legislature has been known as the general. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription i. It is a snapshot of the website with minor modifications as it appeared on august 26, 2015. 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. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 beer and trembling. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania article preamble i. 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. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, 1968. It was passed by constitutional convention of the 28th day of september, 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. The current constitution was ratified and went into effect in 1789. And that the military should be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by. Teacher editions with classroom activities for all 1297 titles we cover. Since that time, there have been frequent amendments and six major revisions to the constitution. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted a new constitution that has been described as the most democratic in america.
Preamble we, the people of the commonwealth of pennsylvania, grateful to almighty god for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking his guidance, do ordain and establish this constitution. The pennsylvania constitutions protection of free expression. The present president judge of the court of common pleas may complete his term as president judge. 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. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1874. The current constitution entered into force in 1968, and has been amended numerous times the. How the charter of 1701 in colonial pennsylvania laid the basis for the development of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. 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. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription. That the people have a right to bear arms for the defence of themselves and the state. Although the extralegal convention that framed the document exercised full powers of government and remained in session as the legislature, the. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 a constitution that granted all taxpaying men the right to vote and hold office and created a unicameral onehouse legislature with complete power with no governor to exersize a veto. Pennsylvania declaration of rights 1776 lonang institute. The constitution was ratified at a special election held december 16, 1873, and went into effect january 1, 1874.
It is completely false to state that the constitution was completed in the year 1776. The constitution of pennsylvania pa general assembly. Thomas young, george bryan, james cannon, and benjamin franklin. Email webmaster contact senator contact representative. 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 be instituted and supported for the security. Upon completion of the merger between 1776 and benjamins desk, 1776 cofounder evan burfield will become the ceo of union, a global platform powering startup hubs and corporate open innovation programs. History of the origin, formation, and adoption of the constitution of. Professor john fea talked about the people and ideas that shaped the pennsylvania constitution, written in 1776. Virginia signed its first constitution in 1776 upon the signing of the declaration of independence.
The declaration of independence was signed on july 4, 1776 and years of war ensued before the new nation formally won its freedom. 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. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1968. Union provides access to the best resources to startup hubs. 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. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of pennsylvania. This constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, one that had been brewing for months. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 flashcards quizlet. 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. 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. For information on visiting the capitol complex, please visit. C onstitution of pennsylvania 1776 state constitutions.
Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 available via the duquesne university school of law pa constitution site. 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. Constitutional convention 1776 the proceedings relative to calling the conventions of 1776 and 1790, the minutes of the convention that forms the present constitution of pennsylvania the proceedings. Union was built within 1776 and is now being spun out as an independent business. Records of the department of state, basic documents. The first state constitutional conventions, 17761783. By a resolve of september 17, 1776, the house of representatives recommended that the towns authorize their representatives to form a constitution. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site.
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