Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of Pennsylvania, which is the supreme law within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, was first written in 1776. Since then, it has undergone five versions, with the current Constitution entering into force in 1968. The 1776 Constitution was completed on September 28 and was influenced by the language of the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence. It proclaimed in detail the rights of citizens and expanded the voting franchise to all tax-paying free men.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Written | September 28, 1776 |
| Date Adopted | September 28, 1776 |
| Date of First General Assembly Meeting | November 28, 1776 |
| Principal Authors | Benjamin Franklin, George Bryan, James Cannon |
| Other Authors | George Clymer, Timothy Matlack, Thomas Paine |
| President of the First General Assembly | Thomas Wharton Jr. |
| President of the Convention | Benjamin Franklin |
| Vice-President of the Convention | Colonel George Ross |
| Secretary of the Convention | John Morris |
| Assistant-Secretary of the Convention | Jacob Garrigues |
| Government Power | Unicameral legislature |
| Government Administration | 12-member Supreme Executive Council |
| Voting Franchise | All tax-paying men |
| Number of Versions | 5 |
| Current Constitution Entered into Force | 1968 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Pennsylvania Constitution was written on September 28, 1776
- The constitution was influenced by the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence
- The constitution was drafted by a convention of representatives, chaired by Benjamin Franklin
- The constitution expanded voting rights to all tax-paying men, regardless of property ownership
- The constitution has been amended numerous times since its creation, with the current version entering into force in 1968
The Pennsylvania Constitution was written on September 28, 1776
The Pennsylvania Constitution, one of the most important documents in the state's history, came into being on September 28, 1776. This date marks a pivotal moment in Pennsylvania's, and indeed the nation's, journey towards self-governance and the establishment of a democratic society. The writing of the constitution was a direct response to the changing political landscape of the time, as the American Revolution gathered pace and the colonies moved towards independence from British rule.
The constitution's drafting was undertaken by a group of fifty-one elected delegates, gathered in Philadelphia. These men, representing diverse backgrounds and professions, were tasked with the challenge of creating a framework for a new government that would protect the rights and freedoms of Pennsylvania's citizens. The document they produced was influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment and the principles outlined in the Declaration of Independence, which had been adopted just a few months earlier, in July 1776.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 established a framework for state governance that included a bicameral legislature, an independent judiciary, and a system of checks and balances. It guaranteed certain fundamental rights, such as freedom of religion, trial by jury, and the right to bear arms. The document also addressed issues of suffrage, property rights, and the structure of local government. One of its most notable features was its provision for a popularly elected executive, the President of the Commonwealth, a position that was later replaced by the office of governor.
The constitution reflected the unique character of Pennsylvania at the time, including its religious diversity and its strong tradition of local control. It also responded to the specific needs and concerns of the state's citizens, such as the desire for a more decentralized government and the protection of individual liberties. In many ways, the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a pioneering document, influencing not just the state's own development but also contributing to the broader evolution of American constitutional thought.
The document served as the fundamental law of Pennsylvania for nearly a century, undergoing amendments and revisions over time to adapt to the changing needs and circumstances of the state. It provided a stable foundation for Pennsylvania's government and played a significant role in shaping the state's identity and its relationship with the federal government. The constitution's influence extended beyond the state, as well; it served as a model for other states and helped shape the debate over the creation of the United States Constitution in the years following the Revolutionary War.
In conclusion, the writing of the Pennsylvania Constitution on September 28, 1776, was a pivotal moment in the state's history, shaping its future and contributing to the broader development of American democracy. It reflected the ideals and aspirations of Pennsylvania's citizens at a critical juncture in the nation's history, and its impact continues to be felt today.
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The constitution was influenced by the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence
The Pennsylvania Constitution was written on September 28, 1776. The constitution was influenced by the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence.
The Stamp Act Congress was an extralegal convention that met in 1765 to address the British Parliament's imposition of the Stamp Act, the first direct internal tax on the colonists. The Congress asserted its loyalty to Parliament while arguing for the liberties guaranteed within the English Constitution, including the distinction between internal and external taxes. This distinction would later be reflected in the Pennsylvania Constitution's taxation provisions, which required public taxes to be imposed only by law and for the purpose of serving the community.
The First Continental Congress, which met in 1774, served as the government of the 13 American colonies and later the United States from 1774 to 1789. It was a response to the Intolerable Acts, a series of measures imposed by the British government after the colonies resisted new taxes. The Congress organized colonial resistance and declared America's independence from Britain in 1776, leading to the ratification of the first national constitution, the Articles of Confederation. The Pennsylvania Constitution, written shortly after the Declaration of Independence, was influenced by this assertion of colonial unity and self-governance.
The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, proclaimed the colonies' right to govern themselves and their separation from Britain. The Pennsylvania Constitution, written soon after, embodied the principles of self-governance and established a framework for governing their future society. The constitution's preamble reflects this influence, stating the purpose of "framing such a government" and "establishing such original principles of government" that will promote the general happiness of the people.
In conclusion, the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was shaped by the preceding political events and declarations, including the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence. These influences reflected the colonists' desire for self-governance, unity, and the protection of their liberties, shaping the framework and principles of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
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The constitution was drafted by a convention of representatives, chaired by Benjamin Franklin
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was drafted by a convention of representatives, chaired by Benjamin Franklin. The convention was held in Philadelphia, and the delegates were elected on July 8, 1776. The constitution was completed on September 28, 1776, and it was signed by the president and members of the convention. It was then transmitted to the Committee of Safety, who delivered it to the general assembly of the state at their first meeting on November 28, 1776.
The drafting of the Pennsylvania Constitution was influenced by ongoing political changes within the province. The Continental Congress, inspired by Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," called for a new form of government, independent of the Crown. This sentiment was shared by the more radical elements in Pennsylvania, who sought to supersede the existing government. The convention elected Benjamin Franklin as president, Colonel George Ross as vice-president, John Morris as secretary, and Jacob Garrigues as assistant-secretary.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 included several innovations, such as expanding the voting franchise to all tax-paying free men. This was considered radical for the time, as it was less restrictive than the requirement for voters to own property. The constitution also proclaimed the rights of citizens in detail and placed power in the hands of a single assembly, with no governor or upper house to check its power. This unicameral legislature had its members elected to one-year terms, and it administered the government alongside a twelve-member Supreme Executive Council.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was controversial from the beginning, and it was opposed by several prominent citizens. It set the stage for a less effective government, as it lacked the checks and balances provided by a governor or an upper house. Additionally, it included test oaths that excluded opponents from participating in the government, leading to conditions of one-party rule. As a result, a new constitution was adopted in 1790, which more evenly considered the complexities of government and the rights of citizens.
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The constitution expanded voting rights to all tax-paying men, regardless of property ownership
The Constitution of Pennsylvania was written on September 28, 1776. The document was penned by the "representatives of the freemen of Pennsylvania" and outlines the rights and rules of governance for the state.
One significant aspect of the Pennsylvania Constitution is its expansion of voting rights. The Constitution grants voting rights to all tax-paying men, regardless of their property ownership. This provision represented a significant departure from the previous system, which often limited the vote to white male landowners. By removing the property ownership requirement, the Pennsylvania Constitution took a step towards broadening the franchise and making it more inclusive.
The expansion of voting rights in Pennsylvania was part of a broader trend in the United States during the 1800s. In the early part of the century, several states began to relax property requirements for voting. This trend continued throughout the century, and by the mid-1800s, most states had abandoned property requirements or poll taxes as limitations on voting. Instead, they extended the right to vote to all free white men. This shift can be attributed in part to economic factors, as propertyless men advocated for the abolition of voting restrictions during the economic crisis of 1819.
However, it is important to note that even as voting rights expanded for some, they were simultaneously restricted for others. Following the Civil War, poll taxes and literacy tests were introduced in many Southern states to disenfranchise African American and Native American men, immigrants, and low-income white people. These measures served as a form of voter suppression and were often enacted alongside grandfather clauses that allowed white men to bypass the tax. It was not until the passage of the Twenty-Fourth Amendment in 1964 that poll taxes were prohibited in federal elections, and a subsequent Supreme Court ruling in 1966 banned them in state and local elections as well.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, with its expansion of voting rights to all tax-paying men, was a significant step forward in the evolution of democratic practices in the state and the nation. However, the ongoing struggle for voting rights in the centuries that followed highlights the continued efforts needed to ensure that all citizens have an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
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The constitution has been amended numerous times since its creation, with the current version entering into force in 1968
The Pennsylvania Constitution was first written in 1776. The document was completed on September 28, 1776, and was signed by the president and members before being transmitted to the Committee of Safety. The first meeting of the Pennsylvania General Assembly took place on November 28, 1776.
The 1776 Constitution was drafted in the context of ongoing political changes within the province. The Continental Congress, inspired by the publication of Thomas Paine's Common Sense, took a great interest in Pennsylvania's internal affairs. The Continental Congress called for a new form of government, and opponents of the Assembly demanded a convention be called to "take the sense of the province." The convention met in Philadelphia in late June 1776 and elected delegates to write a new state constitution.
The principal authors of the 1776 Constitution were Benjamin Franklin, George Bryan, and James Cannon, although others may have been involved in its creation. The document proclaimed the rights of citizens and expanded the voting franchise to all tax-paying free men. Power resided in a unicameral legislature with members elected to one-year terms, and government was to be administered by a twelve-member Supreme Executive Council.
Since 1776, Pennsylvania's Constitution has undergone five versions, with constitutional conventions held in 1789–90, 1837–38, 1872–73, and 1967–68. The current version of the Constitution entered into force in 1968 and has been amended numerous times since then. Amendments to the Constitution can only be made if a proposed modification receives a majority vote of two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and is then approved by the electorate. In emergency situations, a two-thirds vote of the General Assembly and an affirmative vote by the electorate within one month can permit amendments.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pennsylvania Constitution was written in 1776.
The Pennsylvania Constitution was influenced by the language of the Stamp Act Congress, the First Continental Congress, and the Declaration of Independence. The document proclaimed the rights of citizens and expanded the voting franchise to all tax-paying free men. Power resided in a unicameral legislature with members elected to one-year terms.
The Pennsylvania Constitution was tied to ongoing political changes within the province in 1776. As the American Revolution evolved, the views of some political leaders differed from those of the Provincial Assembly and the Deputy Governor, John Penn. Committees were established that eventually took over the government. In May 1776, the Second Continental Congress called for dispensing with Royal Governors and Assemblies that did not oppose the Crown. The Continental Congress inspired more radical elements in Pennsylvania to supersede conservative leaders, and a state convention was called in June 1776. The convention met in Philadelphia and elected Benjamin Franklin as its president.
