State Governments After the Revolution A Brief Study.

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State Governments After the Revolution A Brief Study

Transcript of State Governments After the Revolution A Brief Study.

State Governments After the Revolution

A Brief Study

Do Now

Complete the following “State Identity” work sheet

(one per group) and be prepared to discuss your

findings…

Articles of Confederation• Ratified on March 1, 1781• First constitution for the United States

• Each state had its own identity!

“confederacy” (origin LATIN)

An alliance of strong, independent states

After the American Revolution

• Each state controlled themselves…• “autonomy”

• Most states would set up governments with LEGISLATIVE SUPREMACY • Not always a good

things because…

The Massachusetts Constitution• Written in 1780 • Last state to write one

• Different from every other state because they DID NOT use Legislative Supremacy• More evenly spread out

power among the three branches • Checks and Balances

Virginia Declaration of Rights• Written by George Mason• Virginia was the first state

to create a bill of rights• List of rights that the

government cannot take away from the people

• We have some of the same rights today• Gun ownership• Privacy• Rights in Court of Law