Nation’s First
Government
Early State Constitutions
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Even before the Declaration of
Independence was signed, colonists
discussed independence and establishing
state constitutions to replace the old
colonial charters
Early State Constitutions
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January 1776: New Hampshire becomes
the first colony to organize as a state and
craft a constitution, a written plan for
government
By 1780, the other colonies were creating
their own constitutions and own systems
of government
Early State Constitutions
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Most states had a legislative body which
were divided in to two parts or houses,
which made them bicameral; made the
laws for the people
Each state also had an elected governor to
carry out the laws made by the legislature
and judges and courts to interpret the
laws for the people
Early State Constitutions
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Most state constitutions consisted of:
- bicameral legislature (2 houses)
- governor
- judges/courts
Included was also a bill of rights, which
guaranteed basic freedoms and legal
protections for citizens
Early State Constitutions
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The Massachusetts state constitution was different
from the other states however in a few ways.
It distributed power more evenly among the
legislature, governor, and courts. (separation of
powers)
It gave the governor and the courts the authority to
check the legislatures power. (checks and balances)
The constitution itself was not created by the
legislature, but by a convention of elected delegates
Early State Constitutions
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1780, Massachusetts became the last of
the colonies to create a state constitution
The Massachusetts constitution would
later become the model for the United
States Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
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Although each state had their own
framework for government, states would
however unify under another framework
of government called the Articles of
Confederation.
Our nation’s first Constitution and our first
written framework of government
Articles of Confederation
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1777, the states could not maintain a large army
to fight the British
A strong central army was one of the main
reasons for the Second Continental Congress to
make this plan for union among the colonies
The Articles of Confederation would group the
colonies together for that common purpose.
Articles of Confederation
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3.
In this framework of government, The
Articles of Confederation:
Set up a one-house legislature (no
Executive branch, no Judicial branch)
States refused to give Congress the
power to tax
States refused to let Congress enforce its
laws
Articles of Confederation
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This seemed to be suitable to the states, so they
ratified, or approved the Articles in 1781.
Problems later became clearer
Strict voting requirements to pass laws or amend the
Articles made it difficult for Congress to accomplish
anything.
Even when it passed laws, Congress could not enforce
them; states could choose to ignore the laws
Articles of Confederation
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The Revolutionary War ended in 1783, but
the problems continued in spite of the
new established government.
Unable to collect taxes, Congress had
borrowed to pay for the war.
The states had also run up deep debts.
Articles of Confederation
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To pay their debts, the states overtaxed their
citizens and even taxed goods from other states
and foreign countries.
This hurt international trade and interstate
commerce
Congress had no power to regulate trade
between the states or for the country as a
whole.
Articles of Confederation
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Indebted farmers felt that the state had no right
to take away farms from people who were
unable to pay these exaggerated taxes
After all it is a problem that the states
themselves help create
Civil unrest is going to increase until it eventually
comes to a head.
Articles of Confederation
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Daniel Shays and 1200 Massachusetts
farmers march onto a federal arsenal
Shay’s Rebellion will be quickly stopped
but the point is already made
This uprising will force leaders toward
revising the Articles of Confederation to
create a stronger national government.
Articles of Confederation
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1787, delegates had to be sent to
Philadelphia, PA to revise the Articles of
Confederation
Constitutional Convention
Problems of the Articles of
Confederation
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:
1.
Congress had no power to collect taxes
2.
Congress had no power to regulate trade
3.
Congress had no power to enforce its laws
Problems of the Articles of
Confederation
Lack of Central Control:
1.
2.
No single leader or group directed
governmental policy (no Executive
Branch or President)
No national court system existed (no
Judicial Branch or Supreme Court)
Problems of the Articles of
Confederation
Rules too Rigid:
1.
2.
Congress could not pass laws without
the approval of 9 states (9/13)
The Articles could not be changed
without the agreement of all 13 states
(13/13)