The Nation’s First Government Chapter 2 Section 3 The Nation’s First Government

Early State Constitutions In January 1776 New Hampshire became the first colony to organize as a state and craft a detailed written plan for government (a constitution) Soon all colonies followed suite Each state had a legislature to create laws Most were bicameral Each had a governor elected by the legislature or by the citizens Had Judges Most had a bill of rights

The Massachusetts Constitution Massachusetts was the last to draw up a Constitution It distributed power evenly among branches Governors and courts had authority to check the legislature It was approved by a vote of the states citizens

The Articles of Confederation The First constitution of the United states of America Set up a one house legislature in which each state had one vote Gave congress control over the army and authority to deal with foreign countries on behalf of the states Did not grant congress two important powers No power to enforce its laws No power to tax

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Could not pass a law unless 9 states voted in favor of it Amendments required a unanimous vote of all 13 states Did not provide for a governor or for courts If a state decided to ignore a law the congress could do nothing about it

A shaky National Government A peace agreement with great Britain called the treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 The country was in serious financial troubles State governments were also in financial trouble so they tax their citizens very heavily

Shays’s Rebellion Daniel shays, a farmer who like many Americans had fallen into debt because of heavy state taxes, led one of the most alarming disturbances He lead 1,200 farmers on a raid of a federal arsenal. Shays’s rebellion was quickly stoped it sent a wake up call through the country Lead many people to call for a stronger central government