Jonah Patel
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a democratic constitution that was at the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government. It was framed by a specially elected convention that met from mid-July to the end of September 1776. The constitution was not submitted to the people for ratification, and it caused much strife that led to the creation of a new constitution in 1790. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 failed because it was not ratified by the people and caused political division, leading to the creation of a new constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of adoption | 28 September 1776 |
| Type of government | Republic |
| Voting rights | Restricted to men of property |
| Ruling class | Largely Quaker |
| Level of democracy | High |
| Level of change from previous government | High |
| Level of popular support | Low |
| Influence on other constitutions | High |
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What You'll Learn
The constitution was not ratified by the people
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was not ratified by the people. The constitution was framed by a convention called in accordance with the Continental Congress's expressed wishes. The convention met in Philadelphia on July 15, 1776, and elected Benjamin Franklin as its president. The convention arrogated to itself the interim political power of the state.
The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and it was not submitted to the people for ratification. Instead, it was signed by the president and members of the convention and transmitted to the Committee of Safety, with directions to deliver it to the general assembly of the state at their first meeting. The first meeting of the Pennsylvania General Assembly took place on November 28, 1776.
The decisions made at the convention superseded the previous government and established a Council of Safety to rule in the interim. This change in government was opposed by many of the commonwealth's citizens, including John Dickinson, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and Frederick Muhlenberg, among others.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was described as the most democratic in America at the time. It was a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been governed under a succession of instruments known as frames of government. These documents restricted voting to men of property and ensured the domination of a largely Quaker ruling class. As immigration reduced the relative number of Quakers, their alliance with other groups continued to elect governments whose policies frustrated a growing number of people.
The innovations and political changes in the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 caused much strife, leading to the creation of a new constitution in 1790. The 1776 constitution wanted the government of Pennsylvania to be cleansed of monarchical and proprietary rule and become representative. However, they argued that further deviations from colonial tradition were unnecessary. The constitution served as a template for the Vermont Republic's constitution, which was admitted into the Union in 1791.
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It was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was at the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months. The constitution was framed by a specially elected convention that met in Philadelphia from mid-July to the end of September 1776. It was not submitted to the people for ratification.
The constitution was a response to the political changes occurring within the province at the time. As the Revolution evolved, the views of some political leaders differed from those of the Provincial Assembly and its supporters, as well as from the Deputy Governor, John Penn. Extralegal committees were established that eventually took over the government.
The Continental Congress inspired the more radical elements in Pennsylvania to overmaster the more conservative leaders. In June 1776, these committees called a state convention, which met on July 15, 1776. The convention elected Benjamin Franklin as president, Colonel George Ross as vice-president, John Morris as secretary, and Jacob Garrigues as assistant-secretary. The decisions made at this convention superseded the previous government, establishing a Council of Safety to rule in the interim and drawing up the commonwealth (state) constitution.
The constitution expressed the radical populist dimension of the conversation over what form of government would best secure the rights of the people. It provided for a unicameral legislature, which was very powerful, but also called for an "open" assembly with policymaking taking place under full scrutiny. It included a Bill of Rights, which was similar to that of Virginia, and a Council of Censors to provide periodic review of the operation of the laws and institutions to preserve the freedom of the commonwealth.
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It was superseded by a new constitution in 1790
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was superseded by a new constitution in 1790. This was due to the ongoing political changes within the province at the time, as the American Revolution evolved. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a product of its time, a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months.
The 1776 Constitution was framed by a convention called by the Continental Congress, which assembled in Philadelphia on July 15, 1776, and completed its work on September 28, 1776. This convention was led by Benjamin Franklin, with Colonel George Ross as vice-president. The convention took interim political power of the state and the constitution was signed and transmitted to the Committee of Safety.
The 1776 Constitution was not submitted to the people for ratification, and it was opposed by many of the commonwealth's citizens. It was also criticised by James Madison in 'The Federalist'. The innovations in the 1776 Constitution caused much strife, which led to the creation of a new constitution in 1790.
The 1790 Constitution was formed by a convention that met in 1790, and it is this convention and the resulting constitution that superseded the 1776 Constitution. The 1790 Constitution was a reaction to the innovations of the 1776 version, which some felt deviated too far from colonial tradition. The 1790 Constitution was an attempt to cleanse the government of Pennsylvania of monarchical and proprietary rule, while retaining colonial traditions.
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It was inspired by the Continental Congress
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was inspired by the Continental Congress, which sought a complete break from England. The Continental Congress took a great interest in Pennsylvania's internal affairs and called for a new form of government. This inspired the more radical elements in Pennsylvania to overthrow the more conservative leaders.
In May 1776, an election returned the old guard Assemblymen to office, which prompted the Continental Congress to issue a call for a new form of government. Opponents of the Assembly demanded a convention be called to "take the sense of the province." Associators and Committees of Correspondence met throughout the province to vote for more aggressive action and to send delegates to a convention. In late June, the new convention representatives met in Philadelphia and elected delegates to write a new state constitution.
The constitutional convention met in Philadelphia and elected Benjamin Franklin as president, Colonel George Ross as vice-president, John Morris as secretary, and Jacob Garrigues as assistant-secretary. The convention arrogated to itself the interim political power of the state. The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and was read in convention for the last time, signed by the president and members, and transmitted to the Committee of Safety. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic in America. It featured a unicameral legislature and collective executive, and included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 served as a template for the Vermont Constitution of 1777, which gave birth to the Vermont Republic. The innovations in the Pennsylvania Constitution caused much of the strife that led to the creation of a new constitution in 1790.
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It was based on the Virginia model of declaring a bill of rights
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was influenced by the Virginia model of declaring a Bill of Rights. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason and adopted by the Virginia Constitutional Convention on June 12, 1776, became the basis of the Bill of Rights and was widely copied by other colonies. It emphasised the protection of individual rights, rejecting the notion of privileged political classes and hereditary offices.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was also a democratic document, marking a popular revolt against the existing government. It was created by a convention that assembled in Philadelphia on July 15, 1776, and completed on September 28, 1776. This convention arrogated to itself the interim political power of the state, superseding the previous government. The constitution included provisions for a Council of Censors, which had the power to call a convention to amend, explain, or add articles to the constitution for the preservation of the rights and happiness of the people.
The Virginia Declaration of Rights influenced the Pennsylvania Constitution in several ways. Firstly, it affirmed the inherent rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. It also described a view of government as being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, with the power to reform or alter it if it became inadequate. Additionally, it emphasised the importance of free elections and the right of suffrage, as well as legal rights such as the right to confront accusers and witnesses, a speedy trial, and protection against cruel and unusual punishments.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, inspired by the Virginia model, played a significant role in shaping future constitutions, particularly in Vermont, and reflected the political changes and sentiments of the time.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a new constitution that was described as the most democratic in America at the time. It was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was not submitted for ratification by the people. It was opposed by many of the commonwealth's citizens, including John Dickinson, James Wilson, Robert Morris, and Frederick Muhlenberg. The innovations it introduced caused much strife, leading to the creation of a new constitution in 1790.
In 1776, Pennsylvania was witnessing significant political changes. The views of some political leaders differed from those of the Provincial Assembly and the Deputy Governor, John Penn. Extralegal committees were established, eventually taking over the government. The Continental Congress inspired more radical elements in Pennsylvania to overpower conservative leaders.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 had a lasting impact on many constitutions around the world, especially Vermont's 1777 constitution, which gave birth to the state. It also included a Bill of Rights that was praised by Thomas Jefferson and criticised by James Madison.
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