Jonah Patel
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 is considered the most radical state constitution of its time. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin, and was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. The constitution 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 assured domination by a largely Quaker ruling class. The new constitution abolished property requirements for voting and holding office, allowing all tax-paying men to vote and run for office. Pennsylvania also became a unicameral government, with a single legislative body and no governor.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main goal | To limit and prevent the creation of an aristocracy |
| Voting rights | All men who had paid taxes were permitted to vote |
| Office eligibility | Abolished property requirements for holding office |
| Legislature | Unicameral, i.e. the legislature only had one body |
| Governor | Eliminated the office of the governor |
| Official title | Established "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" as the state's official title |
| Influence | Influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793 |
| Impact | Served as a template for the Vermont Constitution of 1777 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its independence
- The constitution was drafted by an elected court composed of many non-landowners
- The constitution abolished property requirements for voting and holding office
- The unicameral legislature and collective executive expanded democracy
- The constitution's main goal was to prevent the creation of an aristocracy
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following its independence
The constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months. The previous government had been governed under a succession of instruments known as frames of government, which restricted voting to men of property and assured the domination of a largely Quaker ruling class. As immigration reduced the relative numbers of Quakers, their alliance with businessmen, members of other religions, and pietistic Germans continued to elect governments whose policies frustrated a growing number of people living on the expanding frontier.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was considered the most radical of the state constitutions during the War of Independence. It abolished property requirements for voting and holding office, allowing all adult men who paid taxes to vote or even run for office. This was a dramatic expansion of who was considered a political person. Pennsylvania also became a unicameral government, with a legislature consisting of a single body. Furthermore, the office of the governor was entirely eliminated.
The constitution also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. It established Pennsylvania's official title, the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". The lasting effect of the Pennsylvania 1776 Constitution can be seen in many constitutions around the world, especially in that of Vermont. It served as a template for the Vermont Constitution of 1777, which gave birth to the state.
Continuing Education Courses: Are They Worth Your Time?
You may want to see also
The constitution was drafted by an elected court composed of many non-landowners
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was drafted by an elected court composed of many non-landowners. It was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. The constitution was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. Notably, many of these men were not members of Pennsylvania's government at the time.
The constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months. The previous government had restricted voting rights to men of property, ensuring the domination of a largely Quaker ruling class. However, as immigration reduced the relative numbers of Quakers, their alliance with other groups continued to elect governments whose policies frustrated a growing number of people. This discontent, coupled with resentment towards the increasing dominance of Parliament, led to the formation of local committees and the call for a new form of government.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was designed to prevent the creation of an aristocracy and dramatically expanded the franchise. It abolished property requirements for voting and holding office, allowing all tax-paying adult men to vote and run for office. This marked a significant shift in who was considered a political person. The constitution also established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania".
The Pennsylvania Constitution's highly democratic structure featured a unicameral legislature and a collective executive, with power vested in a single assembly. Notably, it did not include a governor or an upper house to check popular enthusiasms. This unique structure may have influenced the later formation of the French Republic under the French Constitution of 1793.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was considered radical for its time due to its democratic nature and its departure from the traditions of the previous government. It empowered a diverse range of individuals, including non-landowners, and shaped Pennsylvania's governing principles for years to come.
Judicial Review: Shaping the US Constitution
You may want to see also
The constitution abolished property requirements for voting and holding office
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was considered the most radical state constitution of its time. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. Notably, many of these men were not members of Pennsylvania's government at the time, but rather an elected court composed of many non-landowners.
The constitution was part of a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months. The previous government had been characterised by a succession of instruments known as frames of government, which restricted voting rights and enabled the ruling class to maintain power. As immigration reduced the relative numbers of Quakers, resentment towards the increasing parliamentary exercise of dominance grew, leading to the creation of local committees and a push for more aggressive political action.
The Pennsylvania Constitution's abolition of property requirements for voting and holding office was a key aspect of its radical nature and represented a significant expansion of democratic ideals. This change, along with other innovations in the constitution, caused strife and led to the creation of a new constitution in 1790, which more evenly considered the complexities of government and the rights of citizens.
Work Search Requirements for Workers' Comp Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The unicameral legislature and collective executive expanded democracy
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 has been described as the most democratic constitution in America at the time. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. Notably, many of the men who took part in its creation were not members of Pennsylvania's government at the time but rather an elected court composed of many non-landowners.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 also eliminated the office of the governor, observing that the governor was similar to a small-scale king, and that an upper legislative body was supposed to represent wealthy men and aristocrats. This 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 a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months. The province had been governed under a succession of instruments known as frames of government, which restricted voting to men of property and assured domination by a largely Quaker ruling class. As immigration reduced the relative numbers of Quakers, their alliance with other groups continued to elect governments whose policies frustrated a growing number of people living on the expanding frontier.
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was replaced in 1790 by a new constitution, which more evenly considered the complexities of government and the rights of citizens.
Separation of Powers: Are They in the Constitution?
You may want to see also
The constitution's main goal was to prevent the creation of an aristocracy
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was considered the most radical state constitution of its time. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin. Notably, many of these men were not members of Pennsylvania's government but rather an elected court composed of many non-landowners. The constitution was the state's first following its declaration of independence from the Crown.
The main goal of the constitution was to prevent the creation of an aristocracy. It was a popular revolt against the existing government, which had been brewing for months. Since the era of William Penn, the province had been governed under a succession of instruments known as frames of government. These documents restricted voting to men of property and assured the domination of a largely Quaker ruling class. As immigration reduced the relative numbers of Quakers, their alliance with businessmen, members of other religions, and pietistic Germans continued to elect governments whose policies frustrated a growing number of people living on the expanding frontier.
The constitution abolished property requirements for voting as well as for holding office. If one was an adult man who paid taxes, they were allowed to vote or even run for office. This was a dramatic expansion of who was considered a political person. Pennsylvania also became a unicameral government, where the legislature only had one body. Additionally, the office of the governor was entirely eliminated. Radicals in Pennsylvania observed that the governor was really just like a small-scale king, and that an upper legislative body was supposed to represent wealthy men and aristocrats.
The constitution also included a declaration of rights that coincided with the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. It established Pennsylvania's official title as the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 served as a template for the Vermont Constitution of 1777, which gave birth to the state.
The Constitution's Office: Who Must Hold It?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was considered radical because it was the state's first constitution following its declaration of independence. It was considered the most democratic in America at the time.
The Pennsylvania Constitution abolished property requirements for voting and holding office. If one was an adult man who paid taxes, they were allowed to vote or even run for office. This was a significant expansion of who was considered a political person.
The Pennsylvania Constitution established a unicameral legislature with a collective executive, eliminating the office of the governor.
The Pennsylvania Constitution served as a template for the Vermont Constitution of 1777, which gave birth to the Vermont Republic. It also influenced the later French Republic's formation under the French Constitution of 1793.
