Isabella Carter
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, and was ratified on September 28, 1776. The constitution included a declaration of rights and established Pennsylvania's official title as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It featured a unicameral legislature and collective executive, and included provisions for voting rights, citizen rights, and a Council of Censors to evaluate the state government's activities. The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as highly democratic and served as a template for other state constitutions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Ratification | 28 September 1776 |
| Drafted by | Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin |
| Established | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the state's official title |
| Government structure | Unicameral legislature and collective executive |
| Voting franchise | All men who had paid taxes |
| President of the Supreme Executive Council | Thomas Wharton Jr. |
| Council of Censors | Elected every seven years to evaluate state government activities |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The constitution was drafted by six men
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by six men: Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin.
The constitution was carefully compared with the original and included a Report of the Committee, which was appointed to enquire whether the constitution had been preserved in every part. It also examined whether the legislative and executive branches of the government had performed their duties as Guardians of the People or assumed more power than they were entitled to by the Constitution.
The constitution was proclaimed by the convention on September 28, 1776, and called for elections in November for a new Assembly to be convened under its provisions. The framers of this new constitution increased the democratic nature of Pennsylvania's governing charter by expanding the franchise and enumerating the rights of citizens. They also placed power in the hands of a single assembly, with neither a governor to veto laws nor an upper house to check popular enthusiasms.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was replaced in 1790 by a new constitution.
The Constitution's First Word: A Nation's Founding Cornerstone
You may want to see also
It was ratified on September 28, 1776
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was ratified on September 28, 1776, marking a significant moment in the state's history. It was the first constitution for Pennsylvania following its declaration of independence, and it has been described as one of the most democratic constitutions in America at the time. The ratification of this document was the culmination of months of political upheaval and changing sentiments in the state.
The Continental Congress, inspired by Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," published in January 1776, began to advocate for a complete break from England. This influenced the political climate in Pennsylvania, leading to growing dissatisfaction with the existing government. In May 1776, the Second Continental Congress called for the removal of Royal Governors and Assemblies that did not align with the opposition to the Crown. This set the stage for a shift in power in Pennsylvania.
During this period, public-action committees gained significant traction, often outpacing the Assembly in taking more aggressive actions. One notable example was the establishment of a military association for defence, which was later validated by the Assembly's creation of the Committee of Safety. These committees played a crucial role in calling for a new form of government and demanding a convention to represent the province's interests.
In late June 1776, convention representatives convened in Philadelphia, and by July, they had elected delegates to draft a new state constitution. This convention, which began its work on July 15, 1776, was tasked with creating a governing document that aligned with the changing political landscape and the aspirations of Pennsylvania's citizens. The convention was carefully structured to frame a government that promoted the general happiness of the people and their posterity, without showing bias toward any particular group.
The resulting constitution, ratified on September 28, 1776, established a unicameral legislature and a collective executive, marking a departure from traditional government structures. It included a declaration of rights, mirroring the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776, and set forth the official title of the state as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." The document also provided for a Council of Censors, responsible for evaluating the state government's actions and ensuring the preservation of the freedoms enshrined in the constitution.
The First Constitution of Nigeria: Who Drafted It?
You may want to see also
It was influenced by Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense'
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. The constitution was completed and ratified on September 28, 1776, and it established a new government structure for the state.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment and the principles of democracy and independence. One of the key influences on the constitution was Thomas Paine's "Common Sense," which was published in January 1776, just months before the constitution was drafted. Paine's pamphlet was a scathing critique of King George III and the institution of hereditary succession, and it called for American independence. It resonated with the people of Pennsylvania and across the colonies, as it articulated their growing dissatisfaction with British rule and their desire for self-governance.
"Common Sense" played a crucial role in shaping the political climate and discourse leading up to the drafting of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Paine's ideas, combined with his accessible writing style, helped to bridge the gap between the political elite and the common people. He argued that the American colonies had the power to start anew and create a model society based on the principles of democracy, equal rights, and self-determination. This message found a receptive audience in Pennsylvania, where the constitutional convention was dominated by more radical elements who favoured a complete break from the past and the establishment of a new, more democratic form of government.
The influence of "Common Sense" can be seen in the democratic ideals enshrined in the Pennsylvania Constitution. The constitution included a declaration of rights, which asserted the natural rights of individuals and the purpose of government as securing and protecting those rights. It also established a unicameral legislature and a collective executive, moving away from the traditional structures of monarchy and aristocracy. Additionally, the constitution extended the voting franchise to all men who had paid taxes, a significant departure from the property-owning requirements of the time.
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" was thus a significant factor in shaping the political and ideological landscape that gave birth to Pennsylvania's first constitution. The pamphlet's call for independence, its critique of hereditary power, and its advocacy for democratic principles resonated with the drafters of the constitution and helped to inspire and inform the creation of a more just and equitable system of government.
The Evolution of Venezuela's First Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
It was replaced in 1790
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was replaced in 1790 by a new constitution. This was due to ongoing political changes within the province, as the views of some political leaders differed from those of the Provincial Assembly and the Deputy Governor, John Penn. The 1776 constitution was considered controversial from the beginning, as it was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government.
The 1776 constitution had several innovative features that were quite radical for that era. These included the voting franchise for all men who had paid taxes, which was less restrictive than requiring voters to own property. It also established a unicameral legislature and a collective executive, which may have influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793. Additionally, it featured a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776.
However, the framers of the 1776 constitution were criticised for increasing the democratic nature of Pennsylvania's governing charter. By placing power in the hands of a single assembly, without a governor to veto laws or an upper house to check popular enthusiasms, they inadvertently set the stage for a less effective government. The constitution also included test oaths, which ensured that their opponents could not participate in the government, thus creating conditions for one-party rule.
The new constitution of 1790 was adopted after the end of the Revolutionary War. It aimed to more evenly consider the complexities of government and the rights of citizens. It established that the legislative power of the commonwealth would be vested in a General Assembly, consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives. The Representatives were to be chosen annually by the citizens of Philadelphia and each county. The constitution also outlined the qualifications of Representatives, including age and citizenship requirements.
The First Constitution: Who Was the Founding Father?
You may want to see also
It included a declaration of rights
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. The constitution included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776.
The declaration of rights stated that all government ought to be instituted and supported for the security and protection of the community, 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. It further stated that whenever these great ends of government are not obtained, the people have a right, by common consent, to change it and take such measures as to them may appear necessary to promote their safety and happiness.
The constitution also included several other innovations that were quite radical for that era. For example, it established voting rights for all men who had paid taxes, which was less restrictive than the requirement for voters to own property. It also established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania", a designation still used today by three other states: Kentucky, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was replaced in 1790 by a new constitution, as the ongoing political changes within the province during the Revolution caused the views of some political leaders to differ from those of the Provincial Assembly and the Deputy Governor, John Penn.
The First Man to Sign: Unveiling the Constitution's Pioneer
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Pennsylvania's first constitution was written by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin.
Pennsylvania's first constitution was written in 1776. It was proclaimed by the convention on September 28, 1776, and ratified on the same day.
The constitution included a declaration of rights, voting franchise for all men who had paid taxes, and a unicameral legislature. It also established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania."
The creation of Pennsylvania's first constitution was influenced by the growing sentiment for a complete break with England after the publication of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" in January 1776. The Continental Congress called for a new form of government, and a convention was held in Philadelphia on July 15, 1776, to draft a new state constitution.
![Founding Fathers [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71f9-HsS5nL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
