Chapter 9Section 1 Notes

Just before the AMERICAN REVOLUTION began, Congress urged the colonies to replace their colonial CHARTERS with state CONSTITUTIONS.

Most states established constitutions that divided power between two branches:

The LEGISLATIVE branch became the LAWMAKING branch. It included representatives elected by the states’ VOTERS.

The EXECUTIVE branch carried out the laws that the legislature made. A state GOVERNOR headed the EXECUTIVE branch.

Most state CONSTITUTIONS included a BILL OF RIGHTS that spelled out certain rights the state had to recognize and protect.

State Constitution

As the 13 states wrote their own CONSTITUTIONS, the Congress sought to create a national CONSTITUTION by which to govern the nation.

In November 1777, the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS passed the ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION. All 13 states then had to ratify the ARTICLES.

A delay in the ratification process occurred because of a dispute among several states over WESTERN LAND CLAIMS. Some states fought over the right to the same western land. States without western land claims argued that the West should become PUBLIC LAND.

The Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation

In 1781, the last state ratified the ARTICLES and they became the FIRST CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Under the ARTICLES, the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS became the NATIONAL LAWMAKING BODY. It had the right to DECLARE WAR, BORROW MONEY, and CONDUCT BUSINESS WITH NATIVE AMERICANS AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

Under the ARTICLES, the NATIONAL government remained much weaker than the STATE governments. It could write laws, for example, but the states were free to enforce the law or not. The ARTICLES also did not require the states to send money to Congress. As a result, it rarely had the FINANCIAL means to carry out its plans.

The ARTICLES also made no provision for a COURT SYSTEM. If states disagreed, they had no place to resolve their differences.

The Articles of Confederation (cont.)

Limitations