Chapter 2 Section 3 Civics Notes January 1776 New Hampshire became the first

colony to organize as a state and draft a constitution

By 1780 the other colonies had followed    Each State had:

- A legislature (most bicameral)- A governor- Judges and courts

Most state constitutions included a bill of rights.

The Massachusetts Constitution

Unusual in three ways 1. Distributed power more evenly between

the legislature, governor and courts 2. Governor and courts had authority to

check legislature 3. Was created by elected delegates Became an important model for the U.S.

Constitution

The Articles of Confederation Colonies realized they would be no match for

the British unless they united under one central government.

1777-The Articles of Confederation becomes the first Constitution of the United States.

Set up one-house legislature where each state had one vote.

Under Articles Congress had no power to enforce laws or to tax

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

By 1781 all 13 states had ratified the Articles of Confederation

There were a few weaknesses with the Articles. Congress could not pass a law unless 9

states voted in favor of it To amend it, would require a unanimous vote

of all 13 states

Weaknesses Continued

Congress had no power to enforce laws SEE PAGE 41 CHART “ Weaknesses of

the Articles of Confederation

A Shaky National Government

The United States was able to overcome weaknesses and win the Revolutionary War

Peace treaty signed with British called Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783

The Country was in serious financial trouble

Shaky Government Continued

-Had to borrow money for war, couldn’t collect taxes.

-State governments were also in deep debt

-State governments taxed their citizens as a result driving many farmers out of business

More about the Shaky Government

States also taxed goods from other states or countries hurting trade

Government could also not do anything about the publics insecurity.

During 1786 and 1787 riots broke out in several states   Shay’s Rebellion- Daniel Shay and 1200

other armed farmers into an uprising

Shaky Government

  Although quickly stopped it was a wake up call to the country.

-By 1787, 12 of the states sent delegates to a meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation