Does Pennsylvania have a Constitution?

November 19, 2025 - By cheepo

Pennsylvania Constitution. The Constitution of Pennsylvania is the supreme law within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. All acts of the General Assembly, the governor, and each governmental agency are subordinate to it. Since 1776, Pennsylvania's Constitution has undergone five versions.

Correspondingly, what is the purpose of the PA Constitution?

The citizens have a right in a peaceable manner to assemble together for their common good, and to apply to those invested with the powers of government for redress of grievances or other proper purposes by petition, address or remonstrance.

One may also ask, how many amendments does the PA Constitution have? The current (and fifth) Pennsylvania Constitution was adopted in 1968. The current constitution has been amended about 45 times.

Keeping this in view, what was the Pennsylvania Constitution?

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The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was a radical document and is largely considered the most democratic of the early state or commonwealth constitutions. The constitution also set up a unicameral legislature of representatives serving one-year terms, as well as an elected twelve-member executive council.

How did Pennsylvania Constitution differ from other states?

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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. Although five other states also adopted constitutions during this time, the Pennsylvania document was unique.

How many state constitutions has Pennsylvania had?

five constitutions

Is free will in the Constitution?

The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely.

Who wrote the Constitution?

James Madison

What state was Pennsylvania part of?

State of Delaware

Who signed the constitution for Pennsylvania?

Sections

Name	State
CLYMER, George	PA
FITZSIMONS, Thomas	PA
FRANKLIN, Benjamin	PA
INGERSOLL, Jared	PA

Who founded Pennsylvania?

William Penn

When was the Pennsylvania Constitution ratified?

December 12, 1787

Where did PA get its name from?

THE STATE NAME:

The name Pennsylvania was specified in the charter given to William Penn by England's Charles II in 1680. The Latin Sylvania meaning “woodlands” was added to Penn to create “Penn's woods.”

Was Pennsylvania spelled wrong in the Constitution?

Only one, though, is a glaringly obvious mistake. In the list of signatories, the word “Pennsylvania” is spelled with a single N: “Pensylvania.” This usage conflicts with a prior spelling, at Article 1, Section 2. The word is found in the Constitution as both “chuse” and “chusing.”

Why was the Bill of Rights written?

The Bill of Rights: A History

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. James Madison wrote the amendments, which list specific prohibitions on governmental power, in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties.

When were the first state constitutions created?

January 5, 1776

Why was Pennsylvania's constitution so radical?

Pennsylvania created the most radical state constitution of the period. This was a dramatic expansion of who was considered a political person, but other aspects of the new state government were even more radical. Pennsylvania also became a “unicameral” government where the legislature only had one body.

When was the Bill of Rights created?

1791

What do u mean by constitution?

Definition of constitution. 1a : the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it. b : a written instrument embodying the rules of a political or social organization.

What is a mixed democracy?

Mixed government (or a mixed constitution) is a form of government that combines elements of democracy, aristocracy and monarchy, ostensibly making impossible their respective degenerations which are conceived as anarchy, oligarchy and tyranny.

How is the Constitution amended?

The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the State legislatures.

Who wrote the New Jersey Constitution?

Sir George Carteret