Changes

Soon after the end of the Revolution, all but two of the states adopted new constitutions.  Rhode Island and Connecticut continued to use their charters, after removing all references to Britain.

Soon after the end of the Revolution, all but two of the states adopted new constitutions.  Rhode Island and Connecticut continued to use their charters, after removing all references to Britain.

All the constitutions then, and now, contain references to [[God]].<ref>http://www.usconstitution.net/states_god.html</ref> But many were fed up with kings, and their opposition to concentrating power in one person was reflected in the states' constitutions.  

All state constitutions then, and now, contain references to [[God]].<ref>http://www.usconstitution.net/states_god.html</ref>   

The state constitutions concentrated power in the legislative branch rather than in an executive like a governor.  The concept of governors rankled with the states, after their bad experiences with governors appointed from England, who had absolute veto power.  The colonists typically deprived their new governors of having the power to veto any legislation.  A bill became law as soon as the legislature passed it.  In many cases, the governor was elected by the legislature as well.

But many colonists were fed up with kings, and their opposition to concentrating power in one person was reflected in the states' constitutions by concentrating power in the legislative branch rather than in a single executive officer like a governor.  New state governors typically lacked the power to veto any legislation.  Instead, a bill became law as soon as the legislature passed it, without needing the governor's signature.  In many states, the governor was even elected by the legislature.

Short term lengths were also used to limit the power of governors, as some state constitutions set the time period for a governor to serve at only one year!

Short terms of office were also used to limit the power of governors.  Some state constitutions used only one year as the term of office for governor.

The state courts lacked power just as the governors did.  In Pennsylvania, the general assembly could remove judges at any time for vaguely defined "misbehavior".  The situation was similar in Rhode Island.  One judge decided that Rhode Island's attempts to force citizens to use paper money was unconstitutional.  He and other judges who agreed with him were then dismissed by the legislature.

The state courts lacked power too.  In Pennsylvania, the general assembly could remove judges at any time for vaguely defined "misbehavior".  The situation was similar in Rhode Island.  One judge decided that Rhode Island's attempts to force citizens to use paper money was unconstitutional.  He and other judges who agreed with him were then dismissed by the legislature.

'''Debate:  Were state constitutions right or misguided in concentrating nearly all power in the legislature?'''

 

'''Debate:  Were State Constitutions Right or Misguided in Concentrating Nearly All Power in the Legislature?'''

==The Articles of Confederation==

==The Articles of Confederation==