Lawyers, journalists, and members of the public are welcome to start here when beginning. First, the pennsylvania constitution of 1776 abolished property requirements for voting as well as for holding office. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional and legal history series. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted a new constitution that has been described as. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 people, independence. The proceedings relative to calling the conventions of 1776 and 1790, the minutes of the convention that forms the present constitution of pennsylvania 23. 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 adoption of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional and legal history. The constitution, or system of government, agreed to and resolved upon by the representatives in full convention of the delaware state, formerly styled the government of the counties of new castle, kent, and sussex, upon delaware, the said representatives being chosen by the freemen of the said state for that express purpose. Home statutes of pennsylvania consolidated statutes the constitution of pennsylvania the constitution of pennsylvania text size. Constitution of the united states legislative reference bureau includes the text of and index to the 1968, 1874, 1838, 1790, and 1776 pennsylvania constitutions.
John paul selsam is the author of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. With its writing coinciding with the declaration of independence and the first. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 people, american. Following the idea of popular rule to its logical conclusion, pennsylvania created a state government with several distinctive features. The president and council shall have a secretary, and keep fair books of their. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 legal definition of. Since 1776, the pennsylvania constitution has undergone five versions, seven constitutional conventions, and numerous. Framed by radical leaders with little practical political experience, it attempted to bring the entire government within the control of the people. 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. Provides an account of the rebellion of the unprotected frontiersmen and the unfranchised artisans, who constituted twothirds of the population in pennsylvania, against the quaker property owners in their attempt to achieve a voice in the government and establish a liberal constitution in 1776. The constitution of pennsylvania pa general assembly. 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. This quiz and corresponding worksheet gauge your understanding of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776.
Pennsylvania constitutional convention of 1776 pa minute. Pennsylvania magazine of history and biography current. Professor john fea talked about the people and ideas that shaped the pennsylvania constitution, written in 1776. The constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania. It was composed in five days and although the delegates considered it a temporary charter, it remained new jersey s state constitution for sixtyeight years.
Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1874. The president and council shall have a secretary, and keep fair books of their proceedings, wherein. Hello, and welcome to the pennsylvania constitution website of the duquesne university school of law. The supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of pennsylvania. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. Since 1776, pennsylvanias constitution has undergone five versions. A study in revolutionary democracy by john paul selsam. The adoption of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776 is an article from political science quarterly, volume 10. Trial by jury shall be as heretofore, and the right thereof remain inviolate.
A transcription, history, and analysis of the pennsylvania declaration of rights and constitution of 1776 description an examination of the editing process of the pennsylvania declaration of rights of 1776 and how this process reflects and influenced both pennsylvania politics and the american government as a whole. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 phmc our documentary. It provided for broad suffrage, annual elections, term limits, and other measures to ensure popular representation. Pennsylvania magazine of history and biography provides an account of the rebellion of the unprotected frontiersmen and the unfranchised artisans, who constituted twothirds of the population in pennsylvania, against the quaker property owners in their attempt to achieve a voice in the government and establish a liberal constitution in 1776. Duquesne university law school pennsylvania constitution web page. Thomas paines pamphlet common sense was published the same year the pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 colonists citizens. View more articles from political science quarterly. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776. In 1776 pennsylvania enacted its first state constitution in direct response to the declaration of independence and the instructions of the second continental. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 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 constitution was ratified at a special election held december 16, 1873, and went into effect january 1, 1874. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 was the most extreme of the revolutionary state constitutions. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1790 available via the duquesne university school of law pa constitution site constitutions of pennsylvania. In this lesson we explore the pennsylvania constitution of 1776.
The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 j paul selsam. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 news newspapers books scholar jstor december 2018 learn how and when to remove. In 1776, pennsylvania adopted a new constitution that has been described as the most democratic in america. This constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, one that had been brewing for months. John paul selsam author of the pennsylvania constitution. A transcription, history, and analysis of the pennsylvania. The proceedings relative to calling the conventions of 1776 and 1790. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first. J paul selsam originally presented as the authors thesis, princeton university, 1930. 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 23. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 book description.
The proceedings relative to calling the conventions of 1776 and. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional and legal history series selsam, j. All acts of the general assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. Add or remove collections add or remove other collections to your search. 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 long and fierce struggle of the socalled constitutional and republican parties in pennsylvania over the state constitution framed in i 776 was greatly confused and complicated by the old party divisions between the eastern and the western counties, by the proprietary. 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. 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. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776 available via the duquesne university school of law pa constitution site constitutions of pennsylvania. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 meeting days after the adoption of the declaration of independence, a convention framed pennsylvania s first constitution. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of. 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. This site is meant to be a primary source of information about the.
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