Chapter 3: The Constitution Lesson 1: The Country’s First Government

State Constitutions Each of the thirteen states had its own constitution Constitution: a detailed written plan for government Each constitution created three branches of government: governor, legislature, and courts Most of the legislature were bicameral, or a legislature consisting of two parts or houses Each constitution included a bill of rights The list guaranteed the basic freedoms and legal protection that the state’s citizens would enjoy  

The Article of Confederation The Second Continental Congress planned for a confederation of states Confederation: a group of individuals or state government Article of Confederation: the first constitution of the United States Established a “league of friendship” among independent states By 1781 all 13 states had ratified, or approved, the Articles

The Northwest Ordinances The Confederation Congress passed two laws, or ordinances, that would have a major effect on the history of the United States Ordinance: a law, usually of a city or county Ordinance of 1785: a law that set up a plan for surveying western lands It divided the land into townships six miles square Each township was further divided into 36 sections, each one mile square. Northwest Ordinance: 1787 law that set up a government for the Northwest Territory and a plan for admitting new states to the Union

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Lack of Power and Money Congress had no power to collect taxes Congress had no power to regulate trade Congress had no power to enforce its laws

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Lack of central power No single leader or group directed government policy No national court system existed

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Rules too Rigid Congress could not pass laws without the approval of 9 states The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all 13 states

Shay’s Rebellion Shay’s Rebellion: an uprising of Massachusetts farmers who did not want to lose their farms because of debt caused by heavy state taxes after the American Revolution Although it never seriously threatened the stability of the United States, Shays’ Rebellion greatly alarmed politicians throughout the nation. Proponents of constitutional reform at the national level cited the rebellion as justification for revision or replacement of the Articles of Confederation, and Shays’ Rebellion figured prominently in the debates over the framing and ratification of the Constitution.