What were the common features of the first state constitutions?

What were the common features of the first state constitutions?

Terms in this set (4)

• Popular Sovereignty. The principle of popular sovereignty was the basis for every new State constitution.
• Limited Government. The concept of limited government was a major feature of each State constitution.
• Civil Rights and Liberties.
• Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

What did the state constitutions have in common?

Each State constitution supports popular sovereignty, limited government, and the separation of powers among branches. Each State constitution includes a bill of rights listing individual rights. – Many of these rights are similar to those in the federal Bill of Rights, but some States include additional guarantees.

What was first state constitution?

Two states, Connecticut and Rhode Island, did not write new constitutions, but instead simply re- vised their colonial charters. On January 5, 1776, New Hampshire’s provincial congress adopted the first state constitution. This was the first time voters rati- fied a state constitution.

Which of these state constitutions is the oldest and still in force today?

Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

How was the Second Continental Congress similar to the first?

The First Continental Congress was called to address grievances against the British government. The Second Continental Congress was initially called for the same reason, but once it voted to declare independence it acted as the defacto government of an independent nation.

Which of the following is considered to have contributed the most to creating the Constitution?

James Madison

Who worked on the constitution?

James Madison, also present, wrote the document that formed the model for the Constitution. Other U.S. Founding Fathers were not there, but made significant contributions in other ways. Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the Declaration of Independence, was serving as ambassador to France at the time of the Convention.

Who wrote the first draft of the constitution?

Thomas Jefferson’s

How many states were there when the Constitution was written?

13 states

Who wrote and signed the Constitution?

In all, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, to Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.

Who signed the constitution in order?

Pennsylvania: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Mifflin, Robert Morris, George Clymer, Thomas FitzSimons, Jared Ingersoll, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris. South Carolina: John Rutledge, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Pierce Butler. Virginia: George Washington (President and deputy), John Blair, James Madison Jr.

Who has the biggest signature on the Constitution?

John Hancock

What states did not sign the Constitution?

Rhode Island was the only state not to send delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.