Chapter 2 Section 3 Civics Notes

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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
• ü   Each State had
• - A legislature (most bicameral)
• - A governor
• - Judges and courts
• Most state constitutions included a bill of
  rights.

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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

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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

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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

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Weaknesses Continued

• Congress had no power to enforce laws
• SEE PAGE 41 CHART Weaknesses of the Articles of
  Confederation

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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

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Shaky Government Continued

• -Had to borrow money for war, couldnt collect
  taxes.
• -State governments were also in deep debt
• -State governments taxed their citizens as a
  result driving many farmers out of business

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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
• ü  Shays Rebellion- Daniel Shay and 1200 other
  armed farmers into an uprising

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Shaky Government

• ü  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