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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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