The constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania. J paul selsam originally presented as the authors thesis, princeton university, 1930. 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 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. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1790 available via the duquesne university school of law pa constitution site constitutions of pennsylvania.
Following the idea of popular rule to its logical conclusion, pennsylvania created a state government with several distinctive features. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional and legal history series selsam, j. 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. First, the pennsylvania constitution of 1776 abolished property requirements for voting as well as for holding office. The adoption of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. 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. 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. Duquesne university law school pennsylvania constitution web page. 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 supreme legislative power shall be vested in a house of representatives of the freemen of the commonwealth or state of pennsylvania. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 news newspapers books scholar jstor december 2018 learn how and when to remove. Since 1776, the pennsylvania constitution has undergone five versions, seven constitutional conventions, and numerous. With its writing coinciding with the declaration of independence and the first. 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.
The constitution was ratified at a special election held december 16, 1873, and went into effect january 1, 1874. Dedicated to the idea of placing authority in the hands of the people, and specifying a broad range of. The proceedings relative to calling the conventions of 1776 and 1790. Pennsylvania magazine of history and biography current. Pennsylvania created the most radical state constitution of the period. Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional and legal history. Lawyers, journalists, and members of the public are welcome to start here when beginning. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 meeting days after the adoption of the declaration of independence, a convention framed pennsylvania s first constitution. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional. Framed by radical leaders with little practical political experience, it attempted to bring the entire government within the control of the people. Hello, and welcome to the pennsylvania constitution website of the duquesne university school of law. 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.
John paul selsam author of the pennsylvania constitution. This quiz and corresponding worksheet gauge your understanding of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 people, independence. Printable constitution of pennsylvania 1776 transcription. In this lesson we explore the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. The president and council shall have a secretary, and keep fair books of their.
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. View more articles from political science quarterly. 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. The constitution of pennsylvania is the supreme law within the commonwealth of pennsylvania.
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. 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 pennsylvania constitution of 1776 was the most extreme of the revolutionary state constitutions. This site is meant to be a primary source of information about the. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. The proceedings relative to calling the conventions of 1776 and 1790, the minutes of the convention that forms the present constitution of pennsylvania 23. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1776. Constitution of the commonwealth of pennsylvania 1874. The constitution of pennsylvania pa general assembly. 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. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 people, american. This constitution was the heart of a popular revolt against the existing government, one that had been brewing for months. 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 colonists citizens. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 phmc our documentary. Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 legal definition of. The president and council shall have a secretary, and keep fair books of their proceedings, wherein. All acts of the general assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. Since 1776, pennsylvanias constitution has undergone five versions. Professor john fea talked about the people and ideas that shaped the pennsylvania constitution, written in 1776. Pennsylvania constitutional convention of 1776 pa minute. Home statutes of pennsylvania consolidated statutes the constitution of pennsylvania the constitution of pennsylvania text size.
A transcription, history, and analysis of the pennsylvania. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 book description. A study in revolutionary democracy by john paul selsam. Add or remove collections add or remove other collections to your search.
Thomas paines pamphlet common sense was published the same year the pennsylvania. 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. It provided for broad suffrage, annual elections, term limits, and other measures to ensure popular representation. Constitution of the united states legislative reference bureau includes the text of and index to the 1968, 1874, 1838, 1790, and 1776 pennsylvania constitutions. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ratified september 28, 1776 was the states first. John paul selsam is the author of the pennsylvania constitution of 1776. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 american constitutional and legal history series. The pennsylvania constitution of 1776 j paul selsam.
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