1. The Nation’s First Governments
Mr. Chad Folkersma
Civics
Sault Area High School

2. The First State Constitutions
Americans faced the task of forming independent governments at both the state and national levels.
Constitution:
A plan for government

3. From Colonies to States
Legislature
To create laws
Governor
To carry out the laws
Judges & Courts
To decide what the laws meant and how they applied to each new situation

4. Preserving Rights
Most state constitutions were based on the following beliefs:
Life
Liberty
Pursuit of Happiness

5. The Articles of Confederation
Problems
Lack of Power
Couldn’t collect taxes
Couldn’t regulate trade
Couldn’t enforce its laws
Lack of Central Power
No single leader or group directed government policy
No national court system
Rules Too Rigid
Congress couldn’t pass law without approval of 9 states
Articles couldn’t be change without 100% agreement

6. Shay’s Rebellion
Massachusetts ran out of money and raise taxes on farmers to pay off debt.
Farmers armed and attacked the state government.
Farmers felt it wasn’t their fault so why should they have to pay off the debt.

7. Assignment
Imagine you are on a committee to write a new state constitution. List five freedoms you want attached to your state’s constitution.
Explain why it is important to guarantee these each of these rights.
Paragraph Format, using complete sentences.